1928 Art Deco Elgin 15 Jewel Survivor, Beautiful Restoration

Thank you for dropping by. I have a sublime offering that is Art Deco through and through. Elgin, one of the prolific early American wrist watch manufacturers. The played a significant role during the early wristwatch era. This is just an example. This is an incredible survivor from two generations ago. This 1928, one year before “The Great Depression” hung over the US like a dark angry cloud. This could be labeled a Streamline Moderne offering in 14 karat white gold filled. The case is in remarkable condition for being almost 100 years young. Elgin “Model 621” men’s Streamline Moderne design wristwatch in 14K white gold fill, circa 1928. Let me share with you what makes this such a coveted treasure to own, if you are on my sight, you like vintage watches. With bias I know I offer some of the best in the market today, don’t take my word, read my reviews. Back to the Elgin, sorry I got lost for a moment. This dial is the crown jewel of this offering. It is called an Incuse Exploding dial...

Here is another sublime offering from Vintage Watch Corner. While this could be called a “Trench Watch" style, it a rare case. It is a “Hermetic Case” (screw on bezel and case back) WW1 Trench Watch...

In my watch restoration and personal collecting I have a soft spot for the Gruen Quadron series. Introduced in the mid 1920’s their engineering was revolutionary because their movements were rectangular flat and small. This allowed Gruen to introduce chronometer timing with their 15 and 17 and in later years 21 jeweled movements. Use thwe close up pictures to help you discern the collective quality. This is a real gem. Close 1to 100 years young. Perhaps the watch was worn by Benjamin Buttons. Hmm, what does that mean? What the movie. Did you know that prior to WWII, Gruen was better known in the USA than Rolex, which at that time was concentrating on the British and Commonwealth countries. Hans Wilsdorf ( Rolex founder)and Gruen were friends and neighbors in Switzerland (their manufacturing facilities were across the street from one another), and even agreed to market their watches as Rolex Gruen in Europe, but the Great Depression prevented this. When one thinks of “Art Deco” one cannot ignore Gruen and its Quadron line. This collection that Gruen introduced in the mid 1920’s have instantly become a cult classic. I for one have over a dozen Quadrons models. They were at the time of their introduction and engineering masterpiece. Read on: This is the epitome of Art Deco, the Roaring 20’s. Gruen was considered revolutionary when it designed this movement, it went on to spawn a Quadron line that had multiple calibers associated with in. A little Gruen History: In years from the 1920s through the 1940s, the Gruen Watch Company of USA & Switzerland was one of the leaders in wristwatch design and quality, even working together with Rolex. In 1925, Gruen introduced the men's Quadron. Similar in concept to the women's Cartouche models, these were rectangular watches containing very high-quality 15-Jewel or 17-Jewel tonneau-shaped movements. A larger movement is generally more reliable and accurate, and is generally more rugged, than a smaller one of the same quality, so the Gruen Cartouche and Quadron, with their case-filling, purpose-built movements performed much better than the small, round movements used by most of their competitors at the time. Round movements were still used in the less expensive rectangular Gruen wristwatches...

Let me introduce you to the Hamilton Square B Engraved! It is a mouthful! This 14 karat white gold filled Art Deco beauty was made for approximately 2 years, a very short run. Who is the Hamilton Watch Company, read below! Think Art Deco, think Roaring 20's, think the birth of a wrist watch, that's is where this watch is placed in historical context Hamilton Watch Company, What a story! Hamilton was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and began producing pocket watches. From the very beginning, the focus was on quality and accuracy, and these principles had made Hamilton a...

This the first time I have offered this model of Gruen. I have one in my personal collection, it has never been offered for sale. No is your chance. Talk about the epitome of Art Deco. This is the personification of a “Happy” time for the US. This model is very hard to source. Don’t wait too long. It took me almost a year to source all correct replacement parts This is a conversation starter. This is a jealously watch. Think about this, this is close to 100 years young, look at the condition; it is superb for its age I stumbled across this watch and had to have it. When was the last time you saw a Gruen Quadron with Gold Plated caliber 123 movement This watch is in amazing condition. I have several of these and I have had to have the lugs worked on as they had worn thin over the decades. There is some light scratching on the case, but you would be hard pressed to find wear through. Now think about this. This offering is almost 100 years old. It looks incredible, it has survived some wear through decades of wear. Please think that this is not in perfect shape. I must admit it is in amazing condition, but I have to remind myself it has a few miles on her. What you are looking at is a seldom seen Gruen Quadron caliber 123, 17 Jewel (the preferred Quadron movement as the Caliber 157 is only 15 jewels) in remarkable shape. This is pure Art Deco. I have two, so I am thinning the collection to obtain another historical marvel from the past. This is 14 karat yellow gold filled, or as Gruen calls Reinforced gold. Look at the pictures as they will fill in the blank spots of the condition of the watch. L In its grandeur years from the 1920s through the 1940s, the Gruen Watch Company was one of the leaders in wristwatch innovation, quality, and design. Gruen even worked in partnership with Rolex earlier in the years. Original Dial and Hands were professionally refinished ( as I am aware of) Case was hand polished Comprehensive mechanical service Custom 16MM black band Prior to WWII, Gruen was better known in the USA than Rolex, which at that time was focusing on the British and Commonwealth countries. In 1925, Gruen introduced the men's Quadron. Similar in concept to the women's Cartouche models, these were rectangular watches containing very high-quality 15-j or 17-j tonneau-shaped movements. A larger movement is generally more reliable and accurate, and is generally more rugged, than a smaller one of the same quality, so the Gruen Cartouche and Quadron, with their case-filling, purpose-built movements performed much better than the small, round movements used by most of their competitors at the time. Round movements were still used in the less expensive rectangular Gruen wristwatches...

Welcome to Vintage Watch Corner. First a PSA (Public Service Announcement) Vintage Watch Corner was selected as the Vintage watch source to supply “period” watches (1918-1926) for a major motion picture. This picture is being filmed in Oklahoma as we speak. It is a validation of the authenticity of my restorations. What a great looking Elgin. This watch is from the late 1930’s, It is Elgin’s answer to the “waterproof” watch. The crystal has a gasket between the case and crystal, the case back has a gasket between the movement retainer ring and the case back, that by the way threads on. I love the oversized crown; it adds a distinguished look to a “functional watch. This watch was targeted for the outdoors person who wanted a watch that could withstand the elements, hence multiple gaskets and oversized crown. I love the two tone dial. It has a golden minute...

This fine & very rare timepiece is a beautiful ladies' bracelet watch by Elgin The timepiece is in amazing original condition & it excellent working order In the 1920's Elgin r...

Vintage 1905 gold plated Elgin pocket watch that's 49mm in diameter and 14mm thick. The case is in good condition with a clean plastic crystal. The movement is working, 15 jewels, an...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 30mm X Width 16mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Ma...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tortue Shape METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 32mm Length X 25mm Width MOVEMENT...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diameter 32mm MO...

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Tortue Shape / Art Deco / Reference 0728 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length ...