Elgin Numbers - Grade, Model and Class

Over its 100 year history, the Elgin National Watch Co. used a number of different, confusing and sometimes conflicting designations of products.  You'll see grade mostly, as this is the most useful and most specific designation for an Elgin watch movement.  But there are also class and model.

Model

In each watch size, there are several model numbers.  The model numbers refer to the basic design, such as the type of plates, open-face or hunter case movement, etc.  Model numbers are unrelated across watch sizes (two watches of different sizes that are both model 8 have no connection to each other).  The same model numbers are re-used across movement grades and classes.

Class

The class groups grades by general quality, materials and finishes.  There would be several grades with class  91 for example,  which would each be made with a similar finish, use of gold or brass, blued screws or not, and other details.

To my knowledge, Elgin stopped using the model and class designations in 1914.

Grade

The watch grade is more widely documented, and best defines the watch.  The grade is most useful in looking up the specific replacement parts.

All of these numbers, model, class and grade, have no general organizing principle.  They were assigned by Elgin sequentially over time, as the products were created.  There is nothing to say that one is "better" than another because the number is higher or lower.

You can look up Elgin pocketwatch grades, models and classes using the movement serial number, here:

http://home.elgintime.com:8080/elgintime/SnumLookup