Pocket Watch Database

Location: Elgin, Illinois

Years of Operation: 1864-1874

Successor: Elgin

Rebranded as the Elgin Watch Co. in 1874

Production Sizes: 18s

Serial Number Lookup

Company Timeline

August 1864

The National Watch Co. is incorporated in Chicago, Illinois.

1866

Construction of the watch factory in Elgin, Illinois is completed.

April 1867

The National Watch Co. sells its first movement for about $115.00, an 18s key wind and key set quick train B.W. Raymond, named after the president of the company, serial number 101.

June 1873

The first stem-wound model is manufactured as a lever-set quick train 18s H.Z. Culver, serial number 155,001.

1874

The National Watch Co. is rebraded as Elgin National Watch Co.