Watches A to Z: Elgin

If you are into collecting watches, one brand you may have heard of is Elgin. The Elgin National Watch Company was originally founded in Elgin Illinois back in 1864 and operated up until 1968.  You'll see watches from them under the names Elgin, Lady Elgin, and Lord Elgin.

Vintage Elgin Manual Wind Watch - photo by Joe Haupt from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Elgin watch company moved its manufacturing from Illinois to South Carolina in 1963.  However, all US manufacturing was stopped in 1968 and the Elgin brand was sold.  The brand passed through many hands and was ultimately purchased by MZ Berger.  Elgin watches made after 1968 are not related to the original Elgin watch company and have little collector value.  For example, since the first quartz watch was unveiled by Seiko in 1969, this attractive women's Elgin watch that I came across in a thrift store, has no real collector value.

A modern Elgin quartz watch for women

Elgin is pretty well known for pocket watches and you can often find nice examples posted on online auction sites for reasonable prices.  Several websites cover the topic of Elgin watch collecting.

A Key-Wound Coin Silver Vintage Elgin Pocket Watch
(photo by Joe Haupt from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

One caveat to the "no collector value" label on modern post-Elgin Elgin watches is that you may still find watches with the Elgin label that are attractive and priced affordably.  For example, I really liked the look of this quasi-mechanical quartz Elgin watch that I bought a few years ago in a department store.

With all the Swiss brands that have been revived under new owners or that have been captured by non-Swiss owners, there's no reason that MZ Berger can't capitalize on their ownership of the Elgin brand and even revive it in modern times. If you like a modern Elgin watch, there is no reason not to buy it.  Companies like MZ Berger make plenty of fashion watches sold under a variety of brand names.  As of 2024, modern Elgin watches are available here on Amazon.  Some are marketed purely under the Elgin label and others under the Elgin by Accutime.

As far as the internet knows, MZ Berger still owns the Elgin brand. While some of the watches are a little "blingy," others are quite attractive. In an era where many dead Swiss brands are being revived, I think it's kind of cool that an American name in watches  continues on. You can find Elgin watches on Amazon here. However, as of August 2026, Walmart.com is probably the best place to search for Elgin watches.

Elgin Oyster-Style Womens Watch

This is a blog about men's watches.  So, women's watches rarely see the light of day here.  Nevertheless, I did run across an interesting women's watch at a thrift store.  Here is an Elgin Oyster-style women's watch.  I saw it in a north Georgia thrift store priced at $15.

Vintage Elgin Ladies Watch

At first, I thought it might be valuable, but a quick internet search revealed that it wasn't from the venerable watchmaker's better days.  By the seventies and eighties, the Elgin name had been sold off to the purveyors of Asian-sourced watches.

Back of Vintage Elgin Ladies watch

Nevertheless, this Elgin is a nice looking watch.  I like the "cyclops" magnifier over the date.  With a new battery, a watch like this might serve someone's mother, wife, or girlfriend well. If you can't find one in a thrift store, similar watches are still available today under the Elgin name.

Elgin Watches for Christmas

Elgin was once one of the finest American watch companies.   For over 100 years, Elgin made pocket watches and later wristwatches.   If you are seeking a special gift for someone that will appreciate a fine antique, a genuine Elgin watch would make a rare and special gift.  You can always find plenty of Elgin watches on ebay in various conditions.  Of course, buying an antique watch can be a perilous endeavor.

The Elgin name has been revived by MZ Berger.  However, modern Elgin watches have no relation to the original company.  But, MZ Berger does make stylish, affordable, watches that can make appealing gifts.  I bought this modern day Elgin at Sears and it is one of the most attractive and unusual watches in my collection.

[As of 2024, modern Elgin watches are available here on Amazon.  Some are marketed purely under the Elgin label and others under the Elgin by Accutime.  As far as the internet knows, MZ Berger still owns the Elgin brand. While some of the watches are a little "blingy," some are quite attractive. In an era where many dead Swiss brands are being revived, it's kind of cool that an American name in watches  continues on. 

Sears is a good place for watch hardware!

As the holiday's approach, it will be time to start shopping for Christmas gifts.  While there are plenty of places to shop for watches online, if you prefer brick'n'mortar experiences, I've found lots of cool watches at an unlikely place:  Sears.

Photo by Gars129 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If you are looking to expand your personal watch collection or get a gift for a man, you'll find watches that appeal to all ages.  Younger watch afficionadoes might like this watch:

A Structure Watch from Sears

A more fashion forward man might like a square watch that looks a bit like a Bell & Ross:

If mechanical mechanisms and bronze would be more appealing, this Elgin quartz/mechanical watch might be a more dressy alternative:

Finally, if you are shopping for a more business-oriented man, you can't go well with a basic Bulova watch like this one:

All in all, it's a pretty amazing variety of watches to find in one basic department store.  Plus, Sears/Kmart Rewards program is an awesome way to save money.  If you have car repairs or buy tires at a Sears Auto Center, there's a good chance that you'll be able to save big money on a nice watch.

[In 2024, it saddens me that Sears is essentially gone. Only 10 stores remain in the US mainland and 1 in Puerto Rico.  They still sell some interesting watches online through vendors at sears.com.]

A Non-Automatic Watch from Elgin

When I bought it for Christmas, I thought it was an automatic.  It looked like it was an automatic.  The jewelry counter clerk at Sears told me it was an automatic.  But, guess what, it is not an automatic!  It's a good thing that the watch has a beautiful, beautiful, face.  I'll forgive this watch.  But, next year, Santa might bring Sears and MZ Berger a lump of coal or two! It's still a great watch.  

[As of 2024, I'm wondering if I actually bought this watch at Sears or JC Penney.  I'm also wondering where I have this watch stashed. As of 2024, modern Elgin watches are available here on Amazon.  Some are marketed purely under the Elgin label and others under the Elgin by Accutime.  As far as the internet knows, MZ Berger still owns the Elgin brand. While some of the watches are a little "blingy," some are quite attractive. In an era where many dead Swiss brands are being revived, it's kind of cool that an American name in watches  continues on.  You can find Elgin watches on Amazon here.]  

An Elgin Watch Blog

Just because we enjoy and wear cheap . . . er . . . affordable watches, doesn't mean we can't appreciate fine craftsmanship and the vintage watches of yesteryear.  Today, Elgin is a brand of Chinese-made watches sold in stores like Walmart. 

But, once upon a time, Elgin watches were fine American timepieces.  I've been dropping in on a blog about restoring and repairing antique Elgin watches.  It's definitely worth a visit:  Elgin Time Vintage Horological Blog.  [As of 2025, the blog is still going strong.] While vintage Elgin watches can be a little expensive, ebay has many at prices less than $100.