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Angus & Coote 'Faithful Lever' Pocket Watch (Elgin Movement) c.1915

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Estimated value

$150 - $350

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Category

Watches

Brand

Elgin

Era

Circa 1910–1920

Origin

United States

Visual assessment

Photo-based interpretation · not authenticated

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ANGUS & COOTE 'FAITHFUL LEVER' POCKET WATCH (ELGIN MOVEMENT) C.1915: IDENTIFICATION

A 16-size or 18-size hunter-cased pocket watch featuring a white enamel dial with Roman numerals. The dial is transitionally signed 'FAITHFUL LEVER / ANGUS & COOTE LTD / SYDNEY / 15 JEWELS' with 'MADE IN U.S.A.' at the 6 o'clock position. This indicates an American movement, likely manufactured by Elgin Watch Co., private-labeled for the Australian retailer Angus & Coote. The case is a silver-toned metal, possibly nickel or silver-filled, featuring a guilloché engine-turned pattern and a central unmonogrammed shield cartouche.

Compare with other watches in the archive: Swiss Triple Calendar Skeletonized Pocket Watch, Regal Quartz 'Sapphire' Ref. R12102 Black Strap Watch, Counterfeit Longines-Branded Chronograph-Style Watch.

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Related cultural context

Australian Mercantile History1901-1920

Represents the Commonwealth's reliance on American industrial precision during the early 20th century.

Use & cultural context

  • •The ritual of 'winding' the watch every morning to ensure a 30-40 hour power reserve.
  • •Gift-giving for coming-of-age or retirement milestones in Australian business culture.

Meaning Through Time

Early 20th Century

A critical tool for punctuality and professional reliability.

Modern

An heirloom collectible valued for its mechanical history and genealogical connection.

PRODUCTION & REFERENCE HISTORY

Angus & Coote, established in Sydney in 1895, became Australia's leading jewelry retailer and frequently imported high-grade American movements from the Elgin National Watch Company and Waltham between 1900 and 1930. The 'Faithful' line was a specific marketing brand for reliable, mid-tier 15-jewel

Read full story

lever escapement watches intended for the burgeoning Australian middle class and railroad workers prior to World War I.

SCARCITY

Average · 4/10 estimated rarity

This is a qualitative collection score, not a measured survival count, market percentile or proof of authenticity.

Visual assessment

Photographs alone cannot establish authenticity. The following analysis notes have not been independently verified; references to a match or confirmation are interpretations, not documentary evidence.

  • Correct dial typography for 1910-era Angus & Coote imports
  • Period-appropriate wear on the crown and bow
  • Consistent case design with known American export models
What photo analysis can and cannot establish

ANALYSIS NOTES

AI-assisted notes based on the photographs and supplied context. These are interpretations, not an examination by a human specialist or proof of authenticity.

Identification is high due to clear dial markings and well-documented trade history between Elgin and Angus & Coote; however, internal movement condition is unknown.

OBSERVATIONS & INTERPRETATIONS

  • 1Dial signature 'Faithful Lever' is a documented Angus & Coote private label.
  • 2Roman numeral font and spade hands are consistent with 1915-era American manufacture.
  • 3The crown is a typical 'Art Nouveau' style fluted onion crown.
  • 4Sub-seconds track at 6 o'clock indicates a standard Lépine or Hunter movement layout.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Hairline crack in the enamel dial significantly impacts value to top-tier collectors.
  • •Possible mismatch in metal between the bow and the crown suggests a historical repair.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Open the inner dust cover (cuvette) to photograph the serial number on the movement.
  • →Check for hallmarks on the inside of the case back to confirm if it is solid silver or nickel.
  • →Observe if the balance wheel oscillates freely when the watch is gently rotated.
COLLECTOR GLOSSARY (3 terms)
Hunter Case
A protective metal lid over the dial, originally for fox hunters.
Lever Escapement
The standard high-quality timekeeping mechanism used before quartz.
Guilloché
A precise, repetitive architectural pattern engraved into the metal.

Condition & estimated grade

A visual condition estimate. This is not a professional grading certificate.

Good - Dial flawed, case shows honest wear, movement unverified.

Grading breakdown

The primary detractor is the dial fracture, which is common in enamel from this era. The case retains good pattern depth but shows significant thinning of the silver/nickel plating at the edges.

Condition

Visible hairline crack on the enamel dial between the sub-seconds and the 5 hour marker. The brassing on the winding crown suggests the top layer of gold-fill has worn through to the base metal. Case hinge appears intact but the outer lid shows surface oxidation.

WATCH MARKET VALUE

$150 - $350

Estimate recorded: May 11, 2026

Estimate context (not a documented sale): Similar 'Faithful' models by Angus & Coote sold at Australian auctions (e.g., Leonard Joel, 2022-2023) consistently reach the $200-$400 AUD range depending on case material.

Who buys this

Australian horology enthusiasts and collectors of American railroad-era export watches.

What increases value

  • •Angus & Coote branding provides regional desirability in the Australian market
  • •15-jewel movement indicates a higher quality than standard 7-jewel utility watches

What lowers value

  • •Dial cracks are permanent and can only be 'filled' but not truly repaired
  • •Unknown movement condition; a broken balance staff would cost $150+ to repair

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Pristine enamel dial with zero hairlines
  • •Original matching box with Angus & Coote Sydney jeweler label

Grade & condition

Condition of the enamel dial, presence of original hands, and the functional state of the movement.

Rarity & demand

AverageModerate demandModerate liquidity
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For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

TE

tezza72

Wonderseeker•1 item

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