18S 21J Elgin Grade 349 LOANER pocket watch c1908

This is a LOANER Pocket watch. When a Railroad employee needed to have his watch serviced and maintained, he was lent a pocket watch until his was ready. These watches were made by manufacturer and had many different markings and stamps depending on the railroad, watch service dept and watch manufacturer. 

James P. Walton of Durand, Michigan was an official railroad watch inspector of the Grand Trunk Railway as listed in an article in the October 30th, 1918 issue of "The Jewelers' Circular-Weekly." This narrow striped damascene is rare among Grade 349 production, with only a small number of other examples and notably a few of them have been with similar loaner marked dials for other watch inspectors.

Movement – the nickel full plate grade 349 movement has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator. The movement is signed “Elgin Nat’l Watch Co, USA, 21 Jewels” 13476233 and is in 90% mint condition – some scratches on the mainspring cover plate.

Case – the movement comes in a white metal open face case, which has a screw off back and bezel. The case has a smooth plain finish and is in 80% mint condition – noticeable marks and wear which is common with a loaner case

Dial – the white enamel dial is double sunk and has blue steel hands. The dial is signed “Jas P Walton, Elgin, Loaner” and is in 100% mint condition

The watch has a mineral glass

The watch is stem wound / lever set

The watch measures 54mm wide x 16mm deep