Elgin Aviator's Watch

The 19th Century is without question the dawn of the Golden Age of American watchmaking. There were giants on the Earth in those days—giants of industry, paving the way for the age of mass manufacturing in which we live. Elgin was one of them. 

Though founded in Chicago as the National Watch Company, the company soon became known as Elgin, the name of the city in which its factory was located. It was there that Elgin churned out high quality pocket watches—by machine, with interchangeable parts. Since most watches were made by hand in those days, the notion of mass machining—with each part precision-engineered according to strict standards of quality control—was revolutionary.

It allowed companies like Elgin and Waltham (who envisioned this American system of watchmaking) to produce thousands of watches a year, when their Swiss competitors only made hundreds.

And Elgin’s strict standards meant that accuracy wasn’t compromised by such a high output. Like Bulova, Elgin timed its watches from readings taken in its observatory. Soon the brand became known worldwide for the precision of its pocket watches, particularly the “railroad chronometers” that were used throughout the American railway system.

It was this reputation for accuracy that would be carried “over there” as American doughboys went to fight in World War I.

Though soldiers were strapping watches to their wrists as early as the 1880s, the idea of a “wristwatch” was deemed to be too feminine. But as warfare changed, a need arose for watches one could strap to the wrist. These “trench watches” were often uniform in design, with large numerals coated liberally in Madame Curie’s discovery: Radium.

Brands like Omega and Longines produced watches for the European Allied powers, while Elgin answered the call sounded by the U.S. Army; soon, Elgin would be manufacturing over 1 million of these wristwatches a year, according to Army standards issued in 1914 and 1916.

Unlike those watches, the watch that we offer here was most likely not meant to be worn by those fighting in the trenches, but by pilots.

Almost from the first time man took flight, a watch has been a pilot’s indispensable tool. The Cartier Santos is generally deemed by historians to be the first of its kind, made in 1904 for Louis Cartier’s friend, aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. And as aviation became militarized, pilots took to the skies with watches strapped to their wrists or mounted in the cockpit of their biplanes.

Like many watches of its era, the pocket watch movement is housed in a sterling silver case with fixed lugs. The serial number puts the watch’s production to 1917, the year America entered the war. With its black-and-white dial and large luminous numerals, it’s not hard to imagine it being worn by a flying ace engaged in a fierce dogfight high above the battlefield.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.