This striking vintage Elgin is a fantastic example of the bold, oversized designs that emerged during the 1970s. With its deep blue dial, applied markers, Roman numerals, day-date display, and distinctive cushion-shaped stainless steel case, it has a wonderfully modern look even today.
The watch is large for a vintage piece, measuring approximately 42mm across the case, excluding the crown, with a thickness of roughly 11mm. Its substantial proportions give it plenty of wrist presence and make it feel surprisingly contemporary.
The dial is particularly attractive, featuring a rich dark blue/black finish, applied rectangular hour markers, Roman numerals at XII, VI and IX, and a framed day-date display at 3 o'clock. The contrasting silver-white hands and markers give the dial excellent legibility while maintaining the sophisticated 1970s aesthetic.
Inside is a Swiss-made Elgin Caliber 333 automatic movement, an Elgin-branded version of the A. Schild 1913 movement family. It features 17 jewels and automatic winding, providing the mechanical character expected from a vintage Swiss movement.
Elgin has an extraordinary place in American watchmaking history. Founded in 1864 as the National Watch Company, the company established its enormous factory in Elgin, Illinois, and went on to become one of America's most important watch manufacturers. By the early 20th century, Elgin was producing watches on an enormous scale and had become one of the world's great watchmaking names.
Elgin produced everything from affordable everyday watches to highly respected railroad-grade timepieces, and eventually manufactured more than 50 million movements during its American production history. The company ceased American watch manufacturing in 1968, bringing an end to more than a century of domestic production.
By the era of this watch, Elgin was no longer producing its movements in the historic Illinois factory. Instead, the famous Elgin name appeared on watches using Swiss-made movements, reflecting the changing economics of the American watch industry and the growing importance of Swiss mechanical production.
The cushion-shaped stainless steel case is one of the watch's biggest attractions. Bold, angular and substantially sized, it perfectly captures the design language of the 1970s while feeling remarkably wearable today. At approximately 42mm, this is certainly not a small vintage dress watch it has the presence of a modern wristwatch while retaining genuine vintage character.
A particularly fun piece of horological history: a famous American watch name, a Swiss mechanical movement, and unmistakable 1970s design, all in one oversized package.
For collectors who enjoy vintage watches that don't wear like traditional small dress watches, this Elgin is a fantastic option. 17 jewels, Swiss automatic movement, day-date complication, stainless steel case, deep blue dial and an impressive 42mm presence make this a particularly distinctive vintage Elgin.
This striking vintage Elgin is a fantastic example of the bold, oversized designs that emerged during the 1970s. With its deep blue dial, applied markers, Roman numerals, day-date display, and distinctive cushion-shaped stainless steel case, it has a wonderfully modern look even today.
The watch is large for a vintage piece, measuring approximately 42mm across the case, excluding the crown, with a thickness of roughly 11mm. Its substantial proportions give it plenty of wrist presence and make it feel surprisingly contemporary.
The dial is particularly attractive, featuring a rich dark blue/black finish, applied rectangular hour markers, Roman numerals at XII, VI and IX, and a framed day-date display at 3 o'clock. The contrasting silver-white hands and markers give the dial excellent legibility while maintaining the sophisticated 1970s aesthetic.
Inside is a Swiss-made Elgin Caliber 333 automatic movement, an Elgin-branded version of the A. Schild 1913 movement family. It features 17 jewels and automatic winding, providing the mechanical character expected from a vintage Swiss movement.
Elgin has an extraordinary place in American watchmaking history. Founded in 1864 as the National Watch Company, the company established its enormous factory in Elgin, Illinois, and went on to become one of America's most important watch manufacturers. By the early 20th century, Elgin was producing watches on an enormous scale and had become one of the world's great watchmaking names.
Elgin produced everything from affordable everyday watches to highly respected railroad-grade timepieces, and eventually manufactured more than 50 million movements during its American production history. The company ceased American watch manufacturing in 1968, bringing an end to more than a century of domestic production.
By the era of this watch, Elgin was no longer producing its movements in the historic Illinois factory. Instead, the famous Elgin name appeared on watches using Swiss-made movements, reflecting the changing economics of the American watch industry and the growing importance of Swiss mechanical production.
The cushion-shaped stainless steel case is one of the watch's biggest attractions. Bold, angular and substantially sized, it perfectly captures the design language of the 1970s while feeling remarkably wearable today. At approximately 42mm, this is certainly not a small vintage dress watch it has the presence of a modern wristwatch while retaining genuine vintage character.
A particularly fun piece of horological history: a famous American watch name, a Swiss mechanical movement, and unmistakable 1970s design, all in one oversized package.
For collectors who enjoy vintage watches that don't wear like traditional small dress watches, this Elgin is a fantastic option. 17 jewels, Swiss automatic movement, day-date complication, stainless steel case, deep blue dial and an impressive 42mm presence make this a particularly distinctive vintage Elgin.