This charming 1919 Elgin pocket watch is a true piece of Canadian and American horological history. Featuring a classic Grade 294 movement with 7 jewels, this watch was private-labeled for P.F. Woolhouse, a respected jeweler in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan—a special detail that adds uniqueness and regional significance.
The watch was produced by the renowned Elgin National Watch Company of Elgin, Illinois, a firm founded in 1864 and long known for crafting reliable and affordable timepieces for the American public. By 1919, Elgin was producing watches at a massive scale with quality movements that still hold up over a century later.
This example is all about character and history:
Private jeweler branding makes it especially collectible
Classic open-face design with a clean, easy-to-read dial
Serviced and running well, keeping time by vintage standards
In the early 20th century, it was common for major watch manufacturers to produce pieces custom-branded for local jewelers, especially in North America. These private-label watches were a way for jewelers to offer high-quality timepieces under their own name, often engraved on the dial or movement. This Elgin, marked for P.F. Woolhouse, is a fantastic example of that practice and a rare find today.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your vintage watch journey, this 1919 Elgin is a beautiful and storied piece that connects watchmaking with the retail history of Canada’s prairie provinces.
This charming 1919 Elgin pocket watch is a true piece of Canadian and American horological history. Featuring a classic Grade 294 movement with 7 jewels, this watch was private-labeled for P.F. Woolhouse, a respected jeweler in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan—a special detail that adds uniqueness and regional significance.
The watch was produced by the renowned Elgin National Watch Company of Elgin, Illinois, a firm founded in 1864 and long known for crafting reliable and affordable timepieces for the American public. By 1919, Elgin was producing watches at a massive scale with quality movements that still hold up over a century later.
This example is all about character and history:
Private jeweler branding makes it especially collectible
Classic open-face design with a clean, easy-to-read dial
Serviced and running well, keeping time by vintage standards
In the early 20th century, it was common for major watch manufacturers to produce pieces custom-branded for local jewelers, especially in North America. These private-label watches were a way for jewelers to offer high-quality timepieces under their own name, often engraved on the dial or movement. This Elgin, marked for P.F. Woolhouse, is a fantastic example of that practice and a rare find today.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your vintage watch journey, this 1919 Elgin is a beautiful and storied piece that connects watchmaking with the retail history of Canada’s prairie provinces.