Elgin Label Columbia

Internet Horology Club 185

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https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/1203913097

August 09, 2017, 14:34

Robert Bains

Elgin Label Columbia

I saw an old thread about this but I was wondering if anybody knows the history behind the Columbia private label on Elgin pocket watches? Google turns up zippo which kind of shocked me.

August 09, 2017, 17:59

Kevin Hoffman

Hi , Could you give the serial number and is columbia on the dial or movement or both , a picture would be great but you MUST SHRINK them

edit ; illinois watch co had a model columbia

August 10, 2017, 02:37

Lindell V. Riddle

Robert,

Welcome aboard!

Some very helpful people will be happy to research it for you but Kevin is right, must have the movement number and yes, a picture would be a big help.

Lindell

August 10, 2017, 11:15

Lorne Wasylishen

Welcome Robert.

It doesn't help on the Columbia name history but Elgin Columbia #26035093 so marked on dial and movement sold recently on eBay.

Could even be you who bought it.

Item # 282586336236

August 10, 2017, 15:36

Lindell V. Riddle

The United States was often referred to as "Columbia" and there is a patriotic song... "Columbia the Gem of the Ocean" that was popular a century or so back.

My thinking is the Columbia watch may have been a private label to capitalize on the well-known name. There are many towns and cities named "Columbia" and I grew up in a house on "Columbia Avenue" attending an elementary school by that same name.

By the way Elgin number 26035093 that Lorne referenced comes back as a rather common Grade 313 (524,000 produced) Elgin 15-Jewel with no "Columbia" reference shown in the Elgin records. Seems more and more like a private label to me.

Lindell

August 11, 2017, 21:17

Kevin Hoffman

What a beautiful song , a rival for the national anthem . Great sleuthing Lorne and Lindell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wIDXclKtGQ

August 29, 2017, 18:19

Robert Bains

It was me that purchased the one on ebay here's a pic. dial also says columbia

#26035093

August 29, 2017, 18:19

Robert Bains

nere's the dial

August 30, 2017, 13:59

Robert Bains

I agree Lindell on the private label. I'm wondering how it came to pass, and find it interesting the movement and the dial are both signed.

August 30, 2017, 15:49

Lorne Wasylishen

Robert, here are a couple I dug up.

COLUMBIA ELGIN #26120315 1923 12s Gr315 Model 3 15j - Dial - Columbia Elgin, Mvt. - Columbia Elgin

COLUMBIA ELGIN #28850424 1925 16s Gr291 Model 3 7j - Dial - Columbia Elgin, Mvt. - blank space