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.

We have in stock at present the near twin of this watch with consecutive serial numbers of 13476233. Please search for watch 4.79

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” 13476234 and is in 90% mint condition – some light scratches.

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 90% mint condition – a small hairline fork on the 7-8 and a small crack on the edge of the 11 

The watch has a mineral glass

The watch is stem wound / lever set

The watch measures 54mm wide x 17mm deep

The watch comes with metal tag marked “Watch Loaned Record Check, Pat applied for”  On the reverse is a cardboard insert with the details of the watch – the serial number is out by one digit