1881 Elgin Pocket Watch 18s G.M. Wheeler Grade 81 Key Wind 13 Jewels - With Chain & Key

Watch Overview

This Elgin Key Wind & Key Set mechanical pocket watch from 1881 is a remarkable piece of American horological history. Crafted during the golden age of mechanical watchmaking, it features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, a bold railroad minute track, and elegant blue steel hands with a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock.

Powered by the Elgin G.M. Wheeler Grade 81 manual-wind movement, this key-wind, key-set Model 1, class 4 watch includes 13 jewels and was built for precision and reliability. Its intricate mechanism has been fully inspected and confirmed to run accurately by our in-house watchmaker.

The watch remains in good vintage condition, showing wear consistent with age and use. It includes its winding key and chain. A remarkable 19th-century Elgin timepiece, ready to display or wear with pride.

Product Details

General Specifications

• Brand: Elgin
• Type: Pocket Watch
• Model: Key set and Key wind
• Year / Era: 1881 - Vintage
• Gender: Men's
• Country of Manufacture: United States

Dial & Display

• Display: Analog
• Color: White
• Features: Black Roman numerals, bold "railroad" minute track and matching blue steel hands. Sub-seconds at 6 o'clock.

Movement

• Type: Mechanical
• Caliber: G.M. Wheeler Grade 81
• Jewels: 13
• Movement Functions:
  • Manual-winding
  • Central hours and minutes
  • Small-seconds
  • Model 1
  • Series 1
  • Class 4
  • Size 18s
  • Serial Number 854245

Case & Band

• Material: Silver-tone Coin silver
• Case Shape: Round - Smooth - Open Face
• Bezel: Snap - Smooth
• Back: Snap, double-hinged back (cuvette)(inner and outer cover)
• Crown: Solid - Key set
• Case Back Markings: Engraved - Blauer Coin 34706

Case Measurements (mm)

• Case Size: 58.1
• Case Diameter w/Crown: 73.4
• Case Thickness: 21.4

Additional Info

• Box & Papers: NO
• Condition: The watch remains in good condition, showing signs of wear consistent with its age and use. Strong case and bezel, as well as a white enamel dial. It includes its winding key and chain. The pocket watch holder is not included in the purchase.
• Extras: This timepiece has been fully inspected and authenticated by our in-house watchmaker, confirming that it runs accurately. It is ready to wear.

History & Legacy of Elgin

By the early 20th century, Elgin was producing over 1 million watches per year and was the largest producer of fine watches in the world. Lord Elgin – one of the high-end product lines produced by the Elgin Watch Company, was introduced in the late 1930s and continued through the 1950s. The Lord Elgin watches were known for their precision movements and elegant designs and were often marketed as luxury watches. Lord Elgin watches were also known for their innovative features, such as shock-resistant, self-winding movements and fancy shape cases and crystals.

About Second Hand Horology

At SECOND HAND HOROLOGY, we offer a curated selection of watches ranging from vintage to modern, including both brand-new and pre-owned timepieces. We’re committed to quality, accuracy, and integrity. Our listings feature:

Professional, unedited photography and clear, transparent descriptions. Every watch is thoroughly inspected and securely packaged to ensure a confident, seamless buying experience.

We also warmly invite you to visit our physical shop and explore the collection in person.

Contact Us

We appreciate you checking out our listing! Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, offers, or just to talk watches — we love what we do and enjoy connecting with fellow enthusiasts.

Thank you for your business—we truly appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again in the future!

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