John Mitsch

Here's an unusual private label watch marked "John Mitsch, Allegheny Pa."

It's also marked "Manfd ELGIN ILLs". It would seem to be an Elgin grade 55, 7 jewels, key wind and set.

The dial is marked "National" and not Elgin, The National Watch Company being the original name of the firm. The National name was used until it was officially changed in 1874. It was changed since customers developed the habit of calling these "watches from Elgin" so the new name was thought more descriptive and fitting.

Note the solid balance on this slow-beat design.

The watch features an hour wheel which has been repaired at some point in the past. A tooth has been replaced - nice work too.

The repair is hard to photograph but the silver solder around the brass of the replacement tooth is visible in the last image.