1918 Shadow Box Elgin Trench Watch

I used Stan’s Elgin Trench Watch Book to identify this watch. First, my knowledge outside of 1940 through 1960 Elgin watches is a bit thin and secondly, there are a lot franken trench watches on eBay.

So happily, this watch matched exactly to Stan’s description. It has the silverode Philadelphia case, a 7 jewel movement, military hands, a porcelain shadow box dial, and the correct offset crown. It’s is in wonderful shape for being 104 years old. I’m extremely happy to add an Elgin from outside the 1940-1960 timeframe.

Dating the serial number on the movement does indeed put it at 1918 and I found out it is a grade 463.

By the way, Silverode cases contain no silver, but are named for looking like silver. Usually they are solid nickel, (not plated), which means they were extremely durable and resistant to tarnish.