Wristwatches, maker Elgin National Watch Company (USA)

The Elgin National Watch Company was founded in 1864 in Elgin, Illinois, at the end of the Civil War to compete with the American Waltham Watch Co. It was one of the most important and prolific watch manufacturers in the country, producing high-quality timepieces that were sold all over the world.

The company's principal founder, Philo Carpenter, was a businessman who saw an opportunity to enter the watchmaking industry as demand for timepieces grew in the United States. Carpenter teamed up with a group of investors to create the National Watch Company, which would later become known as the Elgin National Watch Company.

Elgin watches were known for their precision and accuracy, and the company quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality timepieces. Elgin watches were particularly popular among railroad workers, as they were known for their reliability and durability.

During World War II, Elgin shifted its more... production to support the war effort, producing military watches and timing devices for the armed forces. After the war, the company continued to innovate and expand its product offerings, introducing new designs and technologies such as the "Shockmaster," which was designed to withstand shocks and jolts that could damage the delicate inner workings of a watch.

Despite its success, the Elgin National Watch Company faced challenges in the mid-20th century as consumer tastes shifted and cheaper, mass-produced watches flooded the market. The company struggled to keep up with the competition, and it eventually declared bankruptcy in 1968 and discontinued all US manufacturing. It sold the rights to the name "Elgin", which were subsequently resold multiple times over the years. The rights eventually were purchased by MZ Berger Inc., which manufactures its watches in China and distributes them outside traditional watch dealerships. Elgin-branded watches produced after 1968 have no connection to the Elgin Watch Company. less...