Expert: Melvin Mills - 6/19/2008

Question
I have two Elgin watches, both 12s with cases that are octagonal with designs on them. One case is a Wadsworth Pilot, 25 years, serial number 6466313. The movement is Elgin, 7j, 26567886.

The other case is an Elgin Giant, 14K, double stock, pride, serial number 5939159. Its movement is Elgin, 15j, 29092100.

Both are open face, single sunken. One face is silver with a design, while the other face is beige with no design.

I'm more interested in the cases if you can shed some light on their age.

My aunt had them. Where she got them I do not know. But they run perfectly and keep accurate time. My aunt wrote the guide book to eccentricity and was one of my youthful delights.

Thank you for any information you can relate.

FFuller

Answer
Frederick,

Unfortunately, there is not much I can tell you about these specific cases.  Long ago, watch movements and cases were sold separately.  One would go to a watchmaker and buy the movement and the case.  Then, the watchmaker would put it together.  As the case wore out, it was replaced and the movement was kept.  Wadsworth was one of the big players in watch cases.

Kind regards,

Melvin