I like the early 16 size watches. They are generally under valued, I think, but many of them are fairly scarce, and so, are very collectable. Here is part of an Elgin ad that I bought recently on eBay that was advertised as dating to the year 1880. Note that the values have not changed so much in 128 years!

Here 8is more of the same ad:

36,000 watches were produced of the Convertible grade 50. Though this is not a rare watch, they aren't all that common, either:

This one dates to 1884:

The price in 1880 was $55.00. Today Gilbert, Engle and Shugart value this watch at $125 to $295. That hardly compares to the rate of inflation over the past 128 years.

But compare that to the grade 91 (of which, unfortunately, I do not have an example)

It was valued in 1880 at a whopping $180.00!

The early 16s watches were a monument to American innovation, and this was the principle of their aesthetic.

Compare this to the later B. W. Raymond, which was influenced more by Swiss designs, I think, and is flatter. I think the early convertable model had more depth, and was more sculpturesque, although it would have felt like a lump in the pocket.

Here is another convertable:

Another:

And one more:

Elgin experimented with other designs at this time, also.

The price was less for a less complex movement:

This one dates to 1886:

Often what they sacrificed in the movement they made up for with the dial:

The Illinois, I think, are the most underrated:

Only 1400 grade 113 were made:

And only 4,400 model 1 grade 114:

The other side:

Only 3,800 model 2 114s produced:

Dial side:

The Rockfords were really funky:

Compare that to this later 16s Rockford:

Here is one of my favorites. It has the classic form follows function aesthetic:

Dial:

I even like the cheap dollar watches from this era. Here is a Waterbury:

And the dial:

Please post a picture of your early 16 size watch here.

Steve Gossard

After Leaving American Watch Co. of Waltham and starting his own Watchmaking machine busines. Then joining U.S. Watch Co. of Waltham in the 1880's, Mr. Van De Woerd's genius was always hard to hide even in the simplest 16 size movements.

Great watch! Thanks guys.

Enjoyed seeing all these watches. Here is a Elgin convertible I have it is in a coin silver case. I have been thinking about posting it on our auctions.

Tom

Great watch! It is getting harder to find cases for these thick movements. That is one drawback.