Not being a logical watch collector I will sometimes pick up the later Elgins made in South Carolina that were either French or Swiss movements but were still put in "Star - Cased and Timed by Elgin Watch Co" 10K RGP" cases. These are typically pendant set 17j watches that one can pick up in the 35-75 dollar range. I picked up one of the last 16 size American made (well assembled by American workes) grade 976. The movement needs a good cleaning but the case is near mint (no truth spin) and it was given to J. P. Bailey for 50 years of service from the City of Fairhope (I think Alabama). I think the last of the Elgins made in South Carolina were made in the late 50's to early 60's so JP would have started working for Fairhope sometime in the 1900-1915 range. JP didn't wear the watch much from the condition it is in, it also came with an 8" gold chain so I wondered who JP was and thought Tom might be able to add some of his mojo on this topic.

I am searching Claude, not an easy one so far.

Tom

Here is J.P.'s watch, the only very fine scratch on this watch you can see near the F in Fairhope other than that this watch case looks to be close to new condition. The grade 976 is one of the last grade to be listed at the Elgin site. The difference in this grade and the earlier French/Swiss grade is that it looks as though Elgin used up all of its leftover parts and were using new parts (hands, dial etc. On my grade 755 it clearly used leftover hands from the 571 and the Elgin was the more typical block lettering only but this one has the stylized "E" below Elgin.
back


Movement


Dial


Anothe shot of case back

Not having the best of luck with Mr. Bailey.

About the only thing I found was there was a J. Bailey living in Fairhope Al. in 2002 according to the phone book.

I also searched Fairhope Pa. but no luck there either.

One suggestion is you might give the personnel department at the City of Fairhope a call. In my neck of the woods it is rare for someone to work for the city over 35 years, I would think they might recall some one who was with them for 50.

I will keep looking.

Tom

I was a bit surprised about the 50 years of service, one he retired at 65 and started working at 15, or he started working at 18-20 and worked well past 65 years of age. 2002 would mean that he lived well into his 90's since the watch was not made much past 1965 and that means he probably started working prior to 18 to make the math work, of JP lived to be a very old man.