Internet Horology Club 185
MULTI COLORED 6S ELGIN
July 08, 2004, 10:25
Dave FreemanMULTI COLORED 6S ELGIN
This watch is one of my wife's "dress up watches" which she wears on a silver chain.
I'm certain after you've looked at the exquisite details you'll see why she likes it so much. It's a wonderful example from the late 19th. century.
We bought the watch in England about twenty years ago. The movement which runs like a top is a 6s, 15J Elgin with a mint condition fancy dial. The magnificent multi colored, COIN based case with applied gold was made by C.W.C.Co. I'm not quite sure what the gold central section of the watch is made of since I've never had it tested.
Does anyone has any thoughts on how the case & movement may have got matched up together since they come from different companies??
They certainly appear to be an orginal fit.
ENJOY!!!!
Figure I
July 08, 2004, 10:26
Dave FreemanFigure II
Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
July 08, 2004, 10:26
Dave FreemanFigure III
Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
July 08, 2004, 10:28
Dave FreemanFigure IV
Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
July 08, 2004, 10:28
Dave FreemanFigure V
Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
July 08, 2004, 10:29
Dave FreemanFigure VI
Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
July 08, 2004, 10:30
Dave FreemanFigure VII
The movement dates back to 1898 !!
Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
July 08, 2004, 10:31
Dave FreemanFigure VIII
Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
July 10, 2004, 11:47
Stephanie O'NeilDave,
Very pretty watch! Love the two-tone case and contrast of silvertone/goldtone around the edges not to mention the beautiful dial! No extra screw marks right? Did Elgin exclusively make cases for their watches?
Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie O'Neil
July 10, 2004, 13:07
Jim McKinney
Dave, unless my aging eyes

deceive me, the case is by C.W.C.Co., Crescent Watch Case Co., with the star & crescent moon trade mark.
Perhaps, like so many other watches during that era, it was not cased at the factory - or - if it was, how about....the lady saw this case afterwards and preferring it to the original
"switched"?

.... I'm told that's a lady's prerogative, don't ya know ?

Ssshhhhh !!! . . . just don't tell
you know who over there at the
you know where - heh, heh, heh !!!

Regardless, it sure makes for a
beautiful combination !

Timely regards,
July 10, 2004, 14:01
Dave FreemanJim,
thanks for pointing out my typo on the case maker.

I've corrected it above.

Regards
Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
July 30, 2004, 04:51
Sheila GilbertDave,
When I looked up this watch I get that the date is 1897. I checked because my Pansy's are around that same Serial Number, and sure enough, they are the same date and class, although the grade is different.
According to my book the C.W.C.Co. was also listed, and has hallmarks listed, as Keystone Watch Case. (this one is listed exactly like yours)
Some of the marks like these are shown to be from the American Waltham Watch Co. relating to watch cases. (this one listed a little different but very similar)
So..... ??????????????
Wish I knew this one.
I love the watch, it's gorgeous.
Sheila
July 30, 2004, 04:55
Sheila GilbertI forgot, It also says it's a 0s is yours a 6s for sure? I'm curious.
Sheila
July 30, 2004, 08:14
John D. DuvallDave,
Lovely watch. I believe Sheila is correct. The serial number on yours does come back as an Os. If you matched the movement with a picture in a book it could easily be mistaken for a 6s. They look a lot alike. It boggles my mind that they could make something this small back in the 1800's!
Here is a picture of my 0s.
July 30, 2004, 08:15
John D. DuvallHere is a picture of the dial. The case is 14K gold.
July 30, 2004, 11:51
Kevin PestorVery nice watches John and David, i am a Elgin fan, and those are quite nice watches.
But i would still prefer to work on the bigger ones.
Quite a unique case on your watch Dave, i can see why it is your wife,s favourite.
July 30, 2004, 12:28
Sheila GilbertJohn,
That is fantastic. Really beautiful.
I just love the fancy dials.
Daves watch is fantastic too, I do like that great damaskeening, really an eye catcher.
But the CASE wow. Very unique. I do love an unusual watch.
Those Crescent cases are related to so many companies, I sure wish I could narrow it down to how all that happened. I have read some about it, but there sure isn't much there.
I will find out though, I have been searching for a while and it seems to be that as soon as I have it figured out, it looks different.
Oh well, that's the fun of the search.
Thanks for the Wonderful pictures, they are terrific!
Sheila
July 30, 2004, 20:23
Dave FreemanThanks Shelia & John for the updated movement sizing information, I think you're correct it should be a O size.
John I love these old watches with coined edges. Do you think the coined edge on solid gold watches may also have served the same purpose it did on solid gold coins ?? I wonder ??

Dave Freeman
IHC Member 321
July 30, 2004, 21:54
John D. DuvallDave,
I love these particular watches because of the big case look with the pumpkin crowns and large pendants.
Were you referring to coin edging that is used to help the blind distinguish between coinage such as dime vs penny and quarter vs nickel? Some of the gold pieces were small and could have been mistaken for other coinage of that period.
July 30, 2004, 22:09
Phil DellingerDave,
Very good observation on the coin edge of a solid gold case. It would make it very hard to "shave" some of the gold off of the thickest part of the watch case.
John,
You are very correct on the "reeded" edges on coins for the blind.
Another reason for the coin or "reeded" edge on coins is to eliminate the "shaving" of precious metal ( gold or silver) from the coin.
Can you believe that even way back then, there were some dishonest people?
why do coins have reeded edges?July 31, 2004, 08:22
Sheila GilbertDave,
Did you also notice that your watch is actually a year OLDER than you thought. It's an 1897 Elgin! Pretty awesome for something that old huh? Oh to live to be 107 years old, and still TICK! lolol
Sheila
August 01, 2004, 18:53
John D. DuvallThanks Dave! This old dog just learned something new today!