New Arrival, Job Number 200120

Project link (all the posts): 

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Elgin Grade 29, Lady Elgin

Here we have a Lady Elgin grade 29.  This is a 10 size, 11 jewel, key wind and set movement.  Note the two square arbors at the back.  The center arbor is for setting.  Rear setting designs are a bit outside the norm for Elgins.

This watch, made about 1882, is in a gold hunter case in excellent condition.

There's more Lady Elgin examples and other information here.

Elgin Grade 875

This is an Elgin grade 875, Lady Elgin model, 17 jewels.  It's actually a Swiss import from the company last years.

Movements like this are the result of "size wars" in the industry, and in style; efforts to create ever smaller movements.  It really did get quit out of hand as these things are a bit impractical.  They are fragile, accuracy is a problem and they require frequent service.

Watches Presented to Lord and Lady Elgin

From Horology magazine, November, 1937

Watches Presented to Lord and Lady Elgin

A gala program, broadcast on two continents, Thursday, October 21st, introduced the new Lord and Lady Elgin Models.  These watches represent the newest achievement of the EIgin National Watch Company. The Lord Elgin is a 21-jewel model and the Lady Elgin a 19 jewel semi-baguette.  

The Right Honorable EarI of Elgin and Kincardine, K.T., C.M.G., and his lady, the Countess of Elgin and Kincardine, were recipients of the first watches named in their honor. They were a gift from the city of Elgin, Illinois, named for the illustrious family of the present title-bearer. The watches were presented in silver boxes, inscribed with the Elgin crest, in London, England, by Mr. Francis Powell, president of London's American Chamber of Commerce.  

Through the facilities of the British Broadcasting Company, Trans-Atlantic Radio and the Columbia Broadcasting System, the dedication speech of T. Albert Potter, president of the Elgin National Watch Company, and the expression of gratitude by Lord Elgin were heard on 50 American stations. The program was climaxed by Lord and Lady Elgin setting their watches to the "time from the stars" tonebeat-exact to hundredths of a second-radio-transmitted from the Elgin National Watch Company Observatory at Elgin. 

The American broadcast emanated from the Red Lacquer Room of the Palmer House where several hundred civic leaders, wholesale distributors and company officials banqueted. Toastmaster Harry C. Daniels, president of Elgin's Association of Commerce, traced briefly the history of Elgin through the days of Chief Blackhawk, Joliet and Marquette to the settlement along the river in 1835, the start by a handful of skilled workmen --of the Elgin N ational Watch Company and the founding, in 1865, of an industry that was to attain world-renown. 

Elgin Advertising, 1937

For the noblest Christmas gift of them all -

Lord Elgin

Lady Elgin

AMERICA'S MOST DISTINGUISHED WATCHES

What to give this year becomes so easy ... and so exciting!  The new Lord Elgins offer advantages to be had in no other make of watch.  Each is 21-jeweled and aske winding only once in 45 hours.  Styling is thoroughly masculine.

The Lady Elgins are the only 19-jewel American wrist watch created for women.  Their patrician charm is the work of foremost designers.  Cases are solid gold or 14 karat gold filled.  See them at your jeweler's.

Only ELGIN creates such watches.  For only here exists the perfect partnership of expert craftsmen and scientists.  Only here are watches timed directly to the standard of the stares.  Lord Elgins are priced from $50; Lady Elgins, from $47.50.  Other ELGIN models in a wide range of prices.

ELGIN

MARK OF AMERICAN LEADERSHIP SINCE 1865

New Elgin Portfolio Sees "Value" as Key to Christmas Sales

From The American Horologist magazine, October 1938

New Elgin Portfolio Sees "Value" as Key to Christmas Sales

Points Out Excellence of Elgin Holiday Values and Advantages of Tying-in With Pre-Christmas Drive. Offers Many New Tie-up Materials

A colorful and interesting portfolio, setting forth Elgin plans for the Christmas season, will soon be in the mail, according to advices received from the Elgin National Watch Company. This booklet, entitled "View Your Fortune in the Magic Sphere," analyzes selling trends, shows how the Elgin 1939 line keys in with the major trend, illustrates Elgin national advertising, and offers a wealth of display and promotional assistance.


According to "View Your Fortune," more and more consumers this year are seeking top values and finding them in products with top names. In keeping with this trend, Elgin points to the fact that its 1938-9 line includes the "finest values in 74 years." Particular mention is made of the new 15/0 Lord Elgins, the new Lady Elgins, the new, popular priced I5-jewel semi-baguettes, the new 17-jewel, 15/0 models, and the new low prices on 7-jewel semi-baguettes.


Millions of magazine messages, concentrated in the pre-Christmas season, will carry the Elgin value story throughout the nation. Full color pages will be employed exclusively. And in two of the advertisements the merchandise appeal will be enhanced by the use of fascinating personalities in whose families Elgin has been traditional for generations.


Elgin promotional assistance to jewelers this Fall includes an interesting new window display idea, free newspaper mats, individual advertising by the Advertising Department of the Elgin National Watch Company, a unique "quick-action" Santa Claus mailing piece, folders, post cards, movie slides, and radio commercials. 

Elgin Advertising, 1908

A
Tiny
Timekeeper

There are other tiny watches, but the one worthy to bear the name which always and everywhere stands for reliability and excellence must be a timekeeper.  This dainty little watch is called the

Lady Elgin

It is in every respect a true Elgin - made as small as consistent with Elgin perfection.  The smallest watch made in America - the illustration shows its actual size.  Every Elgin Watch is fully guaranteed - all jewelers have them.  Send for "The Watch," a story of the time of day.

Elgin National Watch Co.

Elgin Ill.

Lord Elgin and Lady Elgin Watches

From The American Horologist magazine, November 1937...

Elgin Presents Timepieces to Earl and Countess

"A gala program, broadcast on two continents, Thursday, Oct. 21st, introduced the new Lord and Lady Elgin Models.

"These watch represent the newest achievement in seven decades of American leadership in the industry. The Lord Elgin is a 21-jewel model and the Lady Elgin is a 19-jewel semi-baugette, the only watch of this type in the United States. The Lord Elgins sell from $50.00 and the Lady Elgins from $47.50.

"The Right Honerable the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, K.T., C.M.G., and his lady, the countess of Elgin and Kincardine, were the recipients of the first watches named in their honor. They were a gift from the city of Elgin, Illinois, named for the illustrious family of the present title-bearer. The watches were presented in silver boxes enscribed with the Elgin crest, in London England, by Mr. Francis Powell, president of london's American Chamber of Commerce.

"Through the facilities of the British Broadcasting Company, Trans-Atlantic Radio and the Columbia Broadcasting System, the dedication speech of T. Albert Potter, president of the Elgin Nation Watch Company, and the expression of gratitude by Lord Elgin was heard on 50 American stations. The program was climaxed by Lord and Lady Elgin setting their watches to the "time from the stars" tonebeat - exact to hundredths of a second - radio-transmitted from the Elgin National Watch Company Observatory at Elgin, one of the thee greatest observatories in the world.

"The American broadcast emenated from the Red Lacquer Room of the Palmer House, where several hundred civic leaders, wholesale distributors and company officials banqueted. Toastmaster Harry C. Daniels, president of Elgin's Association of Commerce, traced briefly the history of Elgin through the days of Chief Blackhawk, Joliet and Marquette, to the settlement along the river in 1935, the start by a handful of skilled workmen - of the Elgin National Watch Company and the founding, in 1865, of an industry that was to attain world renown."

More about Lord and Lady Elgin watches here and here...