This video explores the rise and fall of the Elgin National Watch Company, which was once the largest watchmaking site in the world. Founded in 1864 in Illinois, Elgin pioneered the mass production of high-quality watches with interchangeable parts, dominating the middle market for nearly a century and producing over 60 million timepieces. The documentary highlights Elgin’s historical contributions, including training Army technicians during WWI and shifting to critical defense manufacturing during WWII. However, the company faced an “avalanche” of Swiss imports after WWII, leading to factory closures and its eventual demise in the late 1960s, leaving behind a legacy as a cornerstone of American industrial history.
