Interstatetime Watch of the Month June 2002

ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH CO., ELGIN, ILLINOIS

12 Size, 19 Jewel, Grade 446 (C. H. Hulburd Model) Circa 1922

Both Elgin watches, and 12 size watches, in general, have been bashed quite a bit over the years. The Watch of the Month staff thought it was high time to put a stop to some of this miss-informed chatter. Therefore, it is with great pride that we make this superb 12 size Elgin C.H. Hulburd, "Watch of the Month" for June, 2002.

The C.H. Hulburd model (grade 446), introduced in 1922, was Elgin National Watch Company's entry into the "Prestige Watch" market. Named for the company's 3rd president, this watch was made with an entirely different layout from any other watch in the company's product line. It was also the thinnest watch Elgin made and was comparable in proportions to Waltham's Colonial A model and Illinois' extra-thin 12 and 13 size watches. Originally available in 14K, 18K or platinum cases with matching dials and hands, and priced at $300 to $750, this watch was not for everyone!

This example sports the fancy etched double-back case with elongated bow and matching silver dial that was featured in the earliest ads for this watch. The case is marked "C.H. Hulburd model" inside the etched back cover and on the dust cover. The movement is from the first 900 produced. These first movements were only marked with the company name and have a rather elaborate micrometer regulator. Beginning with #19,999,901 the movements are marked C.H. Hulburd and have a simpler micrometric regulator. The Hulburd model was also made with an Invar balance wheel until December 1925. The Invar balance wheel is distinguished by the cut in the balance rim that is further out from the arm than on a standard steel balance wheel. This particular model sold for around $400 in 1923 and is from the first of eight runs of 1000 watches. Although 8,000 serial numbers were set aside for this grade it is doubtful that even half that many were finished.

The "Watch of the Month" staff (ha ha) would like to thank avid 12 size collector and friend Jerry Treiman for submitting this beautiful watch. For additional information about the C.H. Hulburd model, or if you have information to contribute (e.g. serial numbers) to a developing database, please contact Jerry Treiman at jtreiman@att.net

If you have an interesting American pocket watch you would like to submit as Interstatetime Watch of the Month......

SEND ME AN E-MAIL.


THIS IS THE JUNE, 2002 interstatetime.com "WATCH OF THE MONTH" THIS PAGE COULD FEATURE YOUR WATCH!!! Every month we will pick a watch, submitted by one of our viewers, to be "Watch of the Month". "Watch of the Month" submissions should be a vintage or antique American pocket watch. They don't have to be rare or expensive, just interesting (this should give you lots of options). If you have a watch you would like to submit CLICK HERE to go to the "submission rules" page. THESE WATCHES ARE NOT FOR SALE! GO BACK TO OUR HOME PAGE OR TO THE WATCH OF THE MONTH ARCHIVES
CLICK ANY PART OF THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE A DETAIL ENLARGEMENT

ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH CO., ELGIN, ILLINOIS 12 Size, 19 Jewel, Grade 446 (C. H. Hulburd Model) Circa 1922 Both Elgin watches, and 12 size watches, in general, have been bashed quite a bit over the years. The Watch of the Month staff thought it was high time to put a stop to some of this miss-informed chatter. Therefore, it is with great pride that we make this superb 12 size Elgin C.H. Hulburd, "Watch of the Month" for June, 2002. The C.H. Hulburd model (grade 446), introduced in 1922, was Elgin National Watch Company's entry into the "Prestige Watch" market. Named for the company's 3rd president, this watch was made with an entirely different layout from any other watch in the company's product line. It was also the thinnest watch Elgin made and was comparable in proportions to Waltham's Colonial A model and Illinois' extra-thin 12 and 13 size watches. Originally available in 14K, 18K or platinum cases with matching dials and hands, and priced at $300 to $750, this watch was not for everyone! This example sports the fancy etched double-back case with elongated bow and matching silver dial that was featured in the earliest ads for this watch. The case is marked "C.H. Hulburd model" inside the etched back cover and on the dust cover. The movement is from the first 900 produced. These first movements were only marked with the company name and have a rather elaborate micrometer regulator. Beginning with #19,999,901 the movements are marked C.H. Hulburd and have a simpler micrometric regulator. The Hulburd model was also made with an Invar balance wheel until December 1925. The Invar balance wheel is distinguished by the cut in the balance rim that is further out from the arm than on a standard steel balance wheel. This particular model sold for around $400 in 1923 and is from the first of eight runs of 1000 watches. Although 8,000 serial numbers were set aside for this grade it is doubtful that even half that many were finished. The "Watch of the Month" staff (ha ha) would like to thank avid 12 size collector and friend Jerry Treiman for submitting this beautiful watch. For additional information about the C.H. Hulburd model, or if you have information to contribute (e.g. serial numbers) to a developing database, please contact Jerry Treiman at jtreiman@att.net If you have an interesting American pocket watch you would like to submit as Interstatetime Watch of the Month...... SEND ME AN E-MAIL.