Elgin · 21 jewels · 18s · 1900–1912
Veritas was the name Elgin saved for its finest railroad movements. The 18-size, 21-jewel grade 239 went on sale in March 1901, introduced to the trade alongside the 23-jewel Veritas and the 19-jewel B.W. Raymond as Elgin's new Model 1901 line. Elgin's description reads like a list of everything it knew how to do, with jewels in raised gold settings, gold train wheels, a double roller with a steel escape wheel, cap jewels on the pallet arbor and escape pinion, damaskeened plates and a double-sunk glass enamel dial. Later catalogs list ruby, sapphire and diamond jewels. Pocket Watch Database counts about 18,800 made through 1912, all open face and lever set. Elgin also made a hunting version, grade 274, advertised as the 21 Jewel Veritas Hunting by 1905, and only about 4,000 of those were built. Collectors sometimes file the Veritas under dress watches. Elgin built and sold it for railroad service.
The grade
Veritas was Elgin's top railroad name. In 18 size the 239 is the 21-jewel version, the grade 214 has 23 jewels, and the hunting-case grade 274 is the scarce 21-jewel Veritas Hunting. Elgin also made 16-size Veritas grades, including the 21-jewel 270 and 375 and the 23-jewel 376 and 453. Check the grade by serial number, since a 21-jewel 18-size Elgin can also be a Father Time or a B.W. Raymond.
Glass enamel dials crack and chip, and many were replaced or refinished. The gold-finished parts and damaskeened plates show every scratch from careless servicing, so look closely at screw heads and plate edges.
Buying guide
The one we'd buy is the 1901 grade 239 titled works and keeps time, at $699 delivered, just under the band. There are only about 11 for sale and most ask $725–1,050 delivered, and five plain "Estate" listings that look like one seller don't name the grade or jewel count, so make them show the movement. A 239 should read Veritas and 21 Jewels with gold train wheels and a serial between 8,575,001 and 16,278,300, and a hunting case means it's a grade 274 instead. Check the seller's feedback on the item page, since eBay's pocket watch search doesn't show it.
$698.98delivered
The lowest ask at $699 delivered, titled 1903, 18 size and running. The title doesn't give the grade or jewels, so ask for a movement photo showing 21 Jewels and the serial.
Elgin Veritas 1903 Size 18 Railroad Grade Pocket Watch Running
$699.00delivered
Titled grade 239, 21 jewels, 1901 and keeps time, for the same $699 delivered as the cheapest, so you get the grade in writing. Running isn't a service, so budget for one before you carry it daily.
1901 Elgin VERITAS Railroad Grade 239 Pocket Watch 18s 21j WORKS KEEPS TIME HUGE
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$698.98delivered
$698.98 · free shipping
Buy It Now$698.98
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Good buy
Titled 1903, 18 size, running. No grade or jewels in the title.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$699.00delivered
$699.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$699.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
1901 grade 239, 21 jewels, titled works and keeps time.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$719.44est. delivered
$712.45 + $6.99 shipping
Buy It Now$712.45
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
1902 grade 239, 18 size, 21 jewels. Not titled running.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$780.00delivered
$780.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$780.00
Our take
Estate listing with no grade or jewels in the title.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$950.00delivered
$950.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$950.00
Our take
Coin silver case. No grade or jewels in the title.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,000.00delivered
$1,000.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,000.00
Our take
Brass-plated case, a base metal. Listed refurbished, no grade in the title.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,775.00est. delivered
$1,750.00 + $25.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,750.00
Our take
Up/down wind indicator, titled circa 1901. Ask for a movement photo showing Veritas, 21 Jewels and the serial.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$4,530.00est. delivered
$4,500.00 + $30.00 shipping
Buy It Now$4,500.00
Priced high
Indicator and 3 & 9 register claims, about $3,500 over the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
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