Elgin

This Elgin timepiece, model 334, crafted in the 1950s, represents a fascinating chapter in Elgin's history. During this period, Elgin was adapting to the changing watch market by incorporating Swiss movements into their designs, demonstrating the company's flexibility and commitment to quality in the face of increasing competition.

Design and Construction

This Elgin features a refined yellow gold-plated case with a steel case back, measuring approximately 35mm in diameter with a lug-to-lug length of about 37mm. These dimensions reflect the trend towards slightly larger watches that emerged in the 1950s, contrasting with the smaller sizes that dominated earlier decades. The combination of gold plating and steel case back was a common practice to balance aesthetics with durability and cost-effectiveness.

Movement

This Elgin holds the automatic A. Schild 1916 caliber, featuring 17 jewels. The use of an A. Schild movement is particularly noteworthy. A. Schild was a significant Swiss movement manufacturer that became part of Ebauches SA in 1926 and later merged into ETA. The AS 1916 was known for its reliability and was widely used by various watch brands in the 1950s and 1960s. The self-winding automatic movement in this Elgin runs well at the time of listing, but has not been bench tested for precise accuracy.

Signature Features

The day-date complication is a standout feature of this Elgin model. While day-date watches were gaining popularity in the 1950s, they became more common in the 1960s and 1970s. What's special about this particular day-date function is its quick-set mechanism. With the crown in its most downward position, you can press it inward to advance the date, allowing for quick and easy setting. This is different from typical watches of this era where you'd need to rotate the hands past midnight to change the date.

Dial and Aesthetics

The gold dial with texturing exudes vintage charm, offering excellent legibility and a touch of luxury. Protected by a plastic crystal, the face of this watch perfectly captures the aesthetic sensibilities of the 1950s while maintaining a timeless appeal. The textured dial adds depth and visual interest, a design element that was becoming increasingly popular during this period.

Strap and Wearability

This Elgin comes fitted with a sleek, black leather strap measuring 7 inches in length (not including watch head). The strap's deep ebony tone creates a striking contrast against the watch face, lending the timepiece a classic, understated elegance.