pair of original c. 1920's reinforced heavy gauge steel pipe workbench bases salvaged from the elgin watch factory, located in elgin, il. the threaded-end tubular steel uprights are reinforced with adjustable diagonal supports. the specially fitted cast iron brackets or flanges are free from damage. the black paint finish remains largely intact. priced for the pair. the elgin national watch company, most commonly known as just the elgin watch company was a major us watch maker. the company sold watches under the names, elgin, lord elgin, and lady elgin. the company was first incorporated in august 1864 as the national watch company, in chicago illinois. the founders of this early incarnation were philo carpenter,howard z. culver, then-chicago mayor benjamin w. raymond, george m. wheeler, thomas s. dickerson, edward h. williams and w. robbins. in september of the same year, the founders visited the waltham watch company in waltham, massachusetts, and successfully convinced seven of waltham's makers to come work for their new company. the growing young city of elgin, illinois, some 30 miles to the northwest of chicago, was chosen as the factory site. initially, as part of the deal, the city was asked to donate 35 acres of land for construction of the factory. a derelict farm was selected for this, however the owners refused to sell the property unless the city purchased their entire 71 acres for $3,550. four elgin businessmen agreed to purchase the property and then donated the required 35 acres to the new watch company. the company was re-organized in april, 1865 and the factory was completed in 1866. the first movement, delivered in 1867, was named the b.w. raymond in honor of benjamin w. raymond. the watch was an 18 size, full plate design. in 1874, the company officially changed its name to the elgin national watch company, as the elgin name had come into common usage for their watches. in 1910, the company built the elgin national watch company observatory to maintain scientifically precise times in their watches. the company produced many of the self-winding wristwatch movements made in the united states beginning with the 607 and 618 calibers (which were bumper wind) and the calibers 760 and 761 (30 and 27 jewels respectively). during world war ii, all civilian manufacturing was halted and the company moved into the defense industry, manufacturing military watches, chronometers, fuses for artillery shells, altimeters and other aircraft instruments and sapphire bearings used for aiming cannons. over time, a number of additional plants were operated, mostly in elgin. however, additional plants were located in aurora, illinois and lincoln, nebraska. the original, obsolete factory in elgin closed in 1964, after having produced half of the total number of pocket watches manufactured in the united states (dollar-type not included). measure 23 x 35 1/2 inches.