Expert: Melvin Mills - 10/26/2009

Question
Mr. Mills,
  After my grandfather passed away, I received his old pocket watch and have kept it near and dear ever since.  Now, I would like to get to know more about it.  
  It has the words "Elgin Natl Watch Co. U.S.A." engraved on the inside of the watch.  It also reads "Keystone JBoss 10k Gold filled 15 Jewels" with the numbers "48480" and "36685326" engraved on it.  
  Any and all information you can tell me is greatly appreciated.  It has the initials of either my great-grandfather or great-great-grandfather on the back too, which makes it especially meaningful to me.

Thank you very much,
Travis


Answer
Travis,

That is great. A treasured family heirloom.  Elgin has a wonderful history.

http://trusted-forwarder.org/elgin/index.html

That is a website that will give you the complete history.

The newer quartz watches that you see have nothing to do with the original
company.

If you look at the serial number ON THE WATCH MOVEMENT, not the case, you can use the database
on the Elgin website to determine how old the watch is.  

Let me know if I an be of any further guidance.

Kind regards,

Melvin