The Watch Word magazine chronicled personal stories, photos, engineering successes, and company history for employees of the Elgin National Watch Company, a leading Elgin employer for over one hundred years. The first watch movement was created in 1867, and manufacturing continued until 1968. Watches produced after 1968 may bear the Elgin name, but have no connection to the Elgin, Illinois company.

Publication of the Watch Word begain in August 1921 and ceased in December 1956.

In a partnership between the Elgin Area Historical Society Museum and the Gail Borden Public Library, copies of the Watch Word are being scanned and made more easily available. Follow the links below to view specific issues of the magazine. Originals can be viewed at the Gail Borden Public Library & the Elgin History Museum. 

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Issues currently available are:

1921 - August through December

1922 - the complete year

1923 - the complete year

1924 - the complete year

1925 - the complete year

1926 - January through April, June through December

1927 - the complete year

1928 - January through October, December

1929 - January through November

1930 - the complete year

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1931 - the complete year

1932 - January through June, September through December

1933 - May 1935 - Publication was suspended during the Great Depression.

1935 - June through December

1936 - January, February, April, May, August, November

1937 - March through December

1938 - January through March, May

1940 - March, July through December

1941 - January through May, August through October

1942 - January, February, April through December

1943 - January, February, April through November

1944 - the complete year

1945 - Special Anniversary issue - 80th Anniversary and War Production Issue, January through August, December

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1946 - January, February/March, April, June

1947 - Anniversary issue, June through December

1948 - January, March through December

1949 - January through May, July, August, October through December

1950 - the complete year

1951 - February through April, June through December

1952 - December

1953 - December

1954 - April, June, August through December

1955 - January through June

1956 - January through June, September through December

Publication ceased after the December 1956 issue.