Community Stories

My grandfathers elgin

Virmonk
Posts
27
Likes
85
Wanted to share one of my favorite watches. My dad gave me this watch over 20 years ago and he was given it by his dad so I don't know an age but its pretty old. It was my first nice auto but I didn't really appreciate it until I got older and my tastes changed a bit. I love it now and it gets serviced regularly.

I've never really known much about it other that it was my grandpas so if anyone has any info they could share I would greatly appreciate learning more about it. Otherwise hope you guys enjoy the pics!
 
20210102_130316.jpg 20210102_130158.jpg 20210102_130059.jpg 20210102_130001.jpg
Canuck
Posts
15,534
Likes
46,139
The Elgin company as a manufacturer, folded close to 60 years ago. The name Elgin has been sold, likely several times, to people who don’t actually make watches. Modern Elgins (since the late 1950s) have been assembled using generic components that are “off the shelf”. Since Elgin folded as a manufacturer, Swiss movements are usually found in them. Yours is Swiss. Elgin as a manufacturer, never produced an automatic wind watch. The style of yours is probably typical of styling that was popular during the late ‘60s or early ‘70s.

“Age” is relative. If you are younger than the watch, the watch likely seems “old”. But to many of us, it is really not very old! My oldest wrist watch is a 1915 Rolex. My oldest watch is from 1865. That is right! 1865!
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,811
US Elgin, like US Hamilton, migrated to Swiss movements before they folded.
 
Virmonk
Posts
27
Likes
85
Thank you for the info. With that history I guess I wouldn't call it a old elgin even though its definitely not new lol. After 1968 there's not as much information out there (understandable). It doesn't have a model number I can find so its hard to source parts for if it needs them one day (mainly the crystal). It made my grandpa happy to see me wearing it recently and he was surprised it was still around and running. I want to keep it in service as long as possible.

Also took old out of the title lol.
Edited:
 
wagudc
Posts
4,821
Likes
12,208
SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
US Elgin, like US Hamilton, migrated to Swiss movements before they folded.

You can add Waltham to that list as well.
 
Evitzee
Posts
7,696
Likes
14,225
I think all of the American makers tried to survive by buying Swiss movements as their American manufacturing went belly up. It was a dark period from which they never recovered. These brands really died in the late 50's.
Edited:
 
Engee
Posts
1,542
Likes
3,354
Virmonk Virmonk
It made my grandpa happy to see me wearing it recently and he was surprised it was still around and running. I want to keep it in service as long as possible.

That’s what makes a watch priceless.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

ClothedInSun

New member seeking help identifying my grandfather’s Seamaster

ClothedInSun Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
ClothedInSun
ClothedInSun
Posts
28
Views
591
kewteddington

Disputed ownership of my Grandfathers Vintage Omega 14381 9 SC CB Pie Pan Constellation

kewteddington Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Speed2Sea
Speed2Sea
Posts
18
Views
1K
D

Omega watch from my Grandfathers collection - ID Help

darsven Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
TexOmega
TexOmega
Posts
1
Views
545
wristhusiast

Question about my Grandfather's Omega

wristhusiast Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
5
Views
607
P

Identifying my grandfather's Omega Geneve

pnw98406 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
P
pnw98406
Posts
0
Views
403
dsabba

I want to identify my great-grandfathers watch

dsabba Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
dsabba
dsabba
Posts
27
Views
1K