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What Happened To Elgin Watches?
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2020
- thetimetellers...
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Hello Jory! Stumbled upon your channel; it was recommended by UA-cam. I'm not really into Watches that much, but you make it so much more interesting! You've awakened my sleeping fascination on watches. It was something my Dad always gives when he comes home from abroad and I do think that may where it came from initially. Will be watching more of your videos, keep up the great work!
Damn, how many watches do you have from your dad?
@@hoihoi12250 He comes home from abroad maybe once or twice every two years, by the time the new one comes, the other is not in good condition, because "kids". I do keep the old ones though, so I have this mini collection, although I never think of it as a collection, I guess I do now.
@@hoihoi12250 To answer your question, I guess in the neighborhood of 15?
My father passed away on July 3rd. I was given his watches. All needed repairs because my dad never fixed them. He had this 1930s elgin watch. Not sure the particular model but the jeweler who repaired it said he easily dated to the 1930s maybe even the 1920s. Love your videos man.
Just out of curiosity was your grandfather’s watch a Tank? Also was it expensive to service it?
@@benkenobi6582 its actually an really nice dress watch. Probably 32mm and its really thin. Because my friend is a family member of the gentlemen who serviced it. It was 68 bucks. He said he would have charged 100 bucks easy for the repair
Jared Ornelas that’s great! Enjoy it forever my friend
My dad helped demolish the defunct Elgin factory too! He even got a beautiful custom Elgin mirror out of it as a keepsake from that factory.
I'm a fan of Elgin, the coolest watch in my collection is a WWI Elgin trench watch, 38mm. I also have an Elgin watch from Vortic and 2 pocket watches from the 1880's.
I was born and raised in Elgin, currently still live here too. Very proud of the watch history. I live like 5 mins away from the main factory that was demolished. I use to restore abandon homes and I found a wooden box inside was a 1940 Elgin railroad pocket watch. Ppl want to buy it off me all the time, not a change lol I love it
Awesome to see this. I live in Elgin Illinois. Moved here from Chicago proper in 2010. When I investigated Elgin's history the Elgin Watch company always came up. I am always on the prowl for a vintage Elgin watch. Unfortunately the factory building they made the time pieces out of no longer exists. A strip mall now resides in the area.
My grandfather was Elgin’s Estate groundskeeper.
I was handed down my dads Elgin. His grandfather worked there as a watch maker. For his 18th birthday my dads grandfather built him a one of a kind kinetic variant with 30 jewls instead of the standard 18. I only wear it on holidays to remind me of my dad.
My current everyday wear watch is an Elgin from the late '50s. I like it because it looks good and subtly '50s, yet is accurate and reliable enough that I can use it as a timepiece, as intended.
Dude just yesterday I saw a vintage lord Elgin and thought about getting it. And now this video comes out with you detailing its history. It’s probably a sign that I should get the watch. Love your videos and all you do as well. Keep cranking out the content
Glenn Bradshaw Too late lol I bought the watch and I’ve definitely got the bug but I enjoy my select timepieces very much
I love Elgin, cool case shapes! Always searching for the cushion shaped model that looks like the Vacheron Constantin American 1921 😍
Great video! Born and raised in Chicago here, too. I've been to Elgin many times over the years. Excellent history of such a wonderful old watch company that sadly is no more.
Please do a video on Gruen watch company.
How about Alpina? .......ooops its swiss. I have an Alpina 15 jewel pink gold watch my dad won in a poker game in WWII in Iceland. He gave it to me when I was eleven in 1966. Still wearing in 2020. I actually found the original scissor expansion band for it a few years back, poking around a flea market.
Great info man. I’m really interested in Benrus!
I really enjoy how you keep history alive in this hobby; keep up the great work. Ps - Gruen next ;)
Elgin was a great brand, now I believe it’s a Chinese owned fashion brand? Idk but it’s not the same elegant design as before now they’re gaudy & huge. It hurts my soul walking by the Elgin stand at Walmart as they’re atrocious to look at now.
Nice video, fun to have your grandfather's watch! Dude, can you tell us about Benrus? They have a tremendous military watch history, and my first one, a 60s dress watch, is incoming from ebay now.
Many thanks
This is great and glad I found it! I had an Elgin pocketwatch from my grandfather. Was sadly stolen, but I will always have a soft spot for Elgin.
I love Elgin. Was sad to see their new ones at Walmart. Sad to see the quality drop
It's not their quality. The Elgin you see in walmart is an entirely diffenent company.
These "Whatever Happened To" episodes are really interesting and informative, and remind everyone of the great watchmaking industry that was once in the USA. Thank you Jory, for another first-rate review of a once great company. I vote for Gruen for the next one, but I will be watching whatever you choose.
Nice that this came upon my recommended, I just finished restoring my grandma's beautiful 1940's Elgin pocket watch
When I see all these Elgin watches that have cubic zirconias on every square inch of them I think to myself this is the perfect watch for the man that wasn't hugged enough as a child.
I own 3 pocket watches, one is an older Elgin, and yes, I am a nerd! lol
I have a 1951 Elgin Shockmaster that runs beautifully. I inherited it from my wife’s grandfather. It is actually a field style watch and not the dressy watches that you showed from the era. Very cool little watch that I will never part with. Thanks for the history lesson on the brand, very interesting!
Thanks so much! Love these looks at old watch companies! I’ll add another vote for Gruen. I have an old Gruen from my dad.
I know that Longines has never been defunct, but how do you feel about vintage Longines watches versus the modern ones made under the Swatch group.?
Could you do an episode speaking like 01:52 entirely? 😂
Around 1960 Elgin produced the last American made automatic movement watches ever. To me that makes those watches extra special. I have two Caliber 761 watches (27 jewel branded Elgin, marketed as "Thin-Thin" watches,) and 1 Caliber 760 watch (30 jewel branded Lord Elgin, also marketed as "Thin-Thin".) Amazing pieces of history.
I have 2 Lord Elgin watches I purchased on eBay, during the time I lived in Elgin. I had them both overhauled and they look great and keep excellent time. Was hoping you could tell me a bit more about the Lord Elgin line. BTW, my home was about 7 blocks from where the Elgin factory was located.
Thanks, I enjoy your videos.
Love that you spoke about Elgin. I've been curious, although 80% sure, how the Elgins in Walmart differ from my great uncles pocket watch
I have a Gruen and don't know much about it, there's an idea for ya!
Yes! Gruen is fantastic! I’d love to see a Gruen episode!
Lemonia
I am wearing my Lord Elgin gold filled tank watch from the 30s as I write this; nice presentation on Elgin! My Dad collected it probably 20 years ago and gave it to me. I also have a 1950 era Elgin Deluxe Shockmaster sport watch that runs great but the 30mm back is missing - no luck yet finding a replacement.
My father has had my great great grandfather's elgin small seconds pocket watch for 40 years it hasn't worked and I just serviced it myself... feels good to hear that things 104 year old heart beat for the first time
As a Chicago suburbanite myself, this brand is definitely on my radar now. Surprisingly the ones currently up on ebay are not that expensive. Anything to watch out for aside from post-1968 manufacture date?
hi Jory - Besides Gruen; How about a piece on Benrus ? Thanks . ;-)
I grew up in South Elgin and would go to the observatory in Elgin and see all the old photos of the the old watch factory and since I was a kid thought it was a shame it was demolished.
I inherited my great grandfathers 1893 Elgin pocket watch when my dad passed away. I wound it up and it still works, keeps decent time to.
I live near a small village that's kind of run-down, economically depressed area. On the main drag there stood an old former jewelry shop that looked pretty much untouched since the 1930's, probably abandoned since the Great Depression. On the outside of the second floor of the building there was an old Elgin sign in the shape of a clock. A couple of years ago I discovered it was gone so I'm sure some watch enthusiast bought it. I wish I got it if I had the room for it.
I have my great grandfather's Elgin watch. I need to get it repaired and a new strap(gold expandable band from the '70s)
Gruen please! Thank you.
classiccarz thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. I believe mine is from the mid to late 50’s or early 60’s. But I can’t be sure because I can’t find much information on it. It says made in France on the inside case back and it’s a day/night jump. The hour marker cut outs switch from black to lum every 12 hours at 6:00.
My Grandfather was the Elgin Estate Groundkeeper...I visited him in 1965....
Hello Jory! Love your channel! Elvis Presley had a cool Jump Hour Lord Elgin in 1957. I also inherited a pocket watch from the Elgin National Watch company belonging to my great great grandfather.
Just pulled my dads Lord Elgin 25 automatic out of the closet. Gave it a few shakes and it runs like new. The watch is around 60 years old and has never been serviced.
I received my Grandfather's Elgin automatic watch when he passed away back in 2001. I dug it out of my drawer recently, as I became interested in watch repair. So, can I assume that if there is a "Swiss" marking below the 6 o-clock position, that this watch is likely made prior to 1968? The case is one piece, so I cannot check the movement for markings, without pulling the crystal off. The only marking on the case is a star followed by "10K RGP".
Can you please do. gruen precision watch for next one
I defiantly want to hear about Lemania
I love Elgin Watches. Mine are heirlooms belonging to Grandfathers, and Great Uncles and my Father.
Thanks for confirming my research of post 60's Elgin watches. I almost bought a Chinese era Elgin off ebay a few weeks ago. I had relatives that lived in Elgin, ND.
This video speaks to me
indeed 😊👍🏻
My grandfather always wore a hand wound gold square Elgin . Beautiful , beautiful watch .
That Swiss impression though.
Love vintage Longines
Love these history lessons. Do Gruen next!
I suggest steelco watches history. I have one and its my first hand winding watch. I can find any information about the brand! I think it is contemporary of my Lord Elgin day complication. Nice video
Hi Jory! I was thinking about another defunct watch company you could do a video on. I was thinking of Jules Jurgensen. I own a vintage early 60's hand wind piece that belonged to my Grandfather and was passed down to me after he died. Its a beautiful watch, made out of solid 14K. They produced some gorgeous watches in the early part of the 20th century before the Quartz crisis killed them off for good. They are very old, that much I know, with a history dating back to the 1700's. Figured it might make for a cool future video at some point. Thanks!
Still wish i had an Elgin, but i did buy a Seiko Arita Porcelain with the reserve indicator, i hope you will review one some day, and a Star Bar, that has an amazing story behind its creation!
Here in the Philippines during the pre-war years, Elgin is the leading seller of luxury watches then. In those days when you own one you were considered one of the elite. There is even their own shop located in the premier shopping district of Escolta during those golden era. Heacock's which is also one of the most prestigious department store at Escolta is also the distributor of these watches.
I have my father's Lord Elgin Clubman from the 50s. I had it fixed and it broke again. I want to have it fixed again but I can't find a reputable watch repair shop where I live in CT. I know it would cost more to fix it than it is worth but, like Jory's Great Grandfather's wath, it is worth more to me than the sum of the parts.
Rockford, Illinois has, or had a clock museum which is supposed to have, or had a lot of Elgin memorabilia. Rockford is near Elgin, IL. I am not sure if the museum is still operating. Would be interesting to find out where any of the exhibit material went if the museum is now closed. I once had a Lady Elgin electronic watch which is very rare. Elgin was the first watchmaker to introduce an electronic watch in the early 1960s. But they had reliability issues so Elgin recalled all unsold watches from the retailers and distroyed them. Some speculate their heavy investment in the failed electronic project led to their bankruptcy in 1968. My wife said she would never wear the Lady Elgin so I sold it. I seem to recall it needed a Mercury battery that is obviously no longer available. My family always had Bulova watches but I admire vintage Elgin watches. They seem to be more like the everyday watch that the average American would wear while listening to Ike on the radio.
They're sold at Wal-Mart
Not sure if am too late to suggest but I hear Mathay Tissot has quite an interesting history
Can you review HMT watches and also their history
Elgin USA is still being in made in Japan for the jdm market.. using mostly japanese quartz movement’ i dont know if it has a company connection.. but atleast it still carry Elgins name with Japanese quartz and some of them mechanicals... with Japanese quality👍 i have an FK daytona homage from the early 90s’ it was my beater daily watch all trough my college days’ all i did was change the battery when it stops working
Have you ever looked into the Marathon GSAR or TSAR watches? I searched but nothing in your titles... id be curious to know what you think of them.
Hey Joey, enjoyed this one immensely! Not that I didn't enjoy your past work, I did. No, really, I'm not just saying that... seriously! Ok, I hope you realize that I enjoyed this one in the context of great enjoyment of the totality of your work! K, we good, cool! I'd love to see a history of Gruen. Thanks 👍.
S/b Jory, #@$&! Autocorrect!
All well I hope. Best wishes to everybody
Great vid! You should do something like this for Enicar watches or Titus watches.
Jory, when you do these history episodes you should pick out your favorite watches from the brands that are still available today.
Gruen, please! (Later) WOW! There are many of us requesting Gruen, --and we all said 'please!'
Hey Jory, i found your channel trying to find info on my grandfathers gold plated Elgin wrist watch that he gave me. Its apparently water resistant but im afraid it might be a fake because nowhere on it does it say "Elgin" it just has the logo. Im hoping thats not the case but my hopes aren't very high. love the channel btw, keep up the good work!!.
Illinois Watch Co next plz!! 🙏🏽
Great fun and educational, thanks maybe you could look into the Smiths Astral i was told a long time ago they used jeager tooling for the movement after the war .
Great history mate how cool your dad took the building down smash 💪 💥 👍
My father had an Elgin pocket watch mid 1930 era
Yes finally! I lived in Elgin right next to the old plant.
How about a video on Record Watch Co.?
Love the deep-dive!
So how can I tell if I have a real Elgin or the fake newer one?
I don't know a thing about watches.
But am I correct thinking that the newer Elgins probably do not mention anything on the watches themselves of having 19 jewel or 17 etc... ??
Thank you for the Eligin video, very informative, I vote for Gruen next 👍
Love how jory gives you a deep history of any watch on his channel... keep on keeping on jory 🤙🤙🤙 love man 🤪🤪🤪🤪
Great video thanks
What will be interesting is bringing the brand back and to be in popular demand but instead of MZ Berger, they will make watches in the USA.
It will be nice for Seiko where to make watches in Elgin, Illinois and bring back the Elgin brand, even though these Elgins will be made in the USA with Seiko movements from Japan at first before they manufacture everything else in house at first they will say assembled in Illinois USA with Japanese Movement actually a Seiko watch made in the USA but with a Japanese made Seiko movement.
It will be interesting if Seiko could revive the Elgin name.
oh, and one other thing: if you tragically missed out on the Hodinkee Travel Clock, you can pick up an Elgin travel clock on ebay for a bit less than $6,000. say, $35.00 and some are designated as World or Int'l editions.
Can you cover what happened to Titoni?
thanks for covering Elgin! benrus is the company that next comes to mind.
Hey you should do Cortébert! Very very interesting history!
I enjoyed this episode.
I have a Rodania I got from mom & dad in 1969, Graduation gift .
Hey Jory! Great video and thanks for the history lesson on Elgin. You asked what we wanted next, and i would love to see an episode on Croton Watches! This is an american brand i never hear about. Anyway, great content!
Could you please talk about West End Watch Co.
Good afternoon everyone!
I was wondering where this was going, because in 1993-ish I bought a nice looking moon phase Elgin watch from Wal Mart. So, it basically was a Chinese watch with the Elgin name. Pretty watch though.
Nice Job 😊
Can you shed any light on Becora watches? I just bought one from eBay, moon phase from 1988 but can't find any information on the company. Hi from N.Ireland
Thanks for interesting video on the Elgin brand. Way back in the early part of the 1970’s, I owned a hand-wound Enicar watch which had since gone bankrupt and later sold to a Chinese investor. Enicar still exists in the Asia market and it is no longer has anything to do with the original entity but name.
Gruen --- I want one of the doctor's watches at some point. Actually, I want the Rolex Prince, but can't afford it, and hope to find a cheaper Gruen instead.
Gruen and Rolex shared a factory at one time
Benrus would be a good company to examine next.
4:31 I want to marry that watch…😂
how about doing a show on Timex ??
I hate it when a storied watch name is used on watches that really don't have anything to do with the original company, like they been making watches the whole time under the same corporate umbrella and even claim that history in advertisements when it's basically a lie.
Holy crap, good job UA-cam Algorithm. As of a week ago I was wondering this exact thing. What was the story Elgin, just knowing that they went out of business but made a ton of pocket and wrist watches and clocks. I ran across mr_horologist on twitch, and pulled out my great-grandfather's pocket watch from 1896. I took it in for service and did some research on Elgin, but it didn't really say. Anyway, having watched it, I guess I still wonder why they couldn't compete and went out of business in the 60's.