The Facts:
Year/Make/Model: 1970's Elgin alarm watch
Reference: None
Case size (excluding crown): 35mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Movement: Manual 17 jewel A.S. 1931
Bands: Genuine lizard calf leather bands
A vintage 1970's Elgin alarm watch, featuring a 17 jewel Elgin 353 (A. Schild 1931) movement that has been inspected and regulated to ensure accuracy.
This Elgin mechanical alarm watch is in incredible condition for its age. The polished stainless steel case (35mm excluding the crown) is in very good condition, with light to minor age wear. The silver starburst dial is well-designed, the silver and black pinstriped indices match the club hands. The orange sherbet cone sweep second hand is pure 1970's and the alarm hand tip matches the second hand. The Elgin logo and alarm designation are perfectly preserved beneath the polished crystal.
The winding and alarm crown both have ample grip and they wind and set nicely. The watch keeps time quite accurately and the date clicks over at midnight. The A. Schild 1931 is an incredibly sophisticated movement design that has to be seen to be appreciated! It was first released in 1970, so I would date this watch from the early to mid-Seventies.
Directions: the time is set as usual using the 4 o'clock crown. If you set the time in reverse and pass the alarm hand, it will automatically follow the hour hand, as intended. The alarm time is set via the 2 o'clock crown. It is always set in reverse and the alarm goes off whenever the hour hand crosses it. Pull the alarm crown to enable the alarm, press it in to disable it.
The Elgin comes on new old stock genuine lizard calf leather bands in a rich mahogany hue that accents the case nicely. All told, this is an unmistakably 1970's Elgin, one of the last mechanical alarm watches made before the digital revolution drained the heart and soul of the watch industry.
Please note that all mechanical watches, including automatics, require occasional winding in order to function properly. The watch will be well packaged and shipped out within one business day and tracking information is always included. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask prior to purchase and I'll reply promptly. Thank you for looking and have a great day!