Elgin Durapower | Silver Arabic Dial | 27 Jewels Self Winding | Stainless Steel

Elgin Durapower | Silver Arabic Dial | 27 Jewels Self Winding | Stainless Steel

Description

An American automatic from the last decades of American watchmaking. The dial is silver with applied Arabic numerals all the way around, a layout that reads instantly and belongs to a period when legibility was the selling point.

Below the Elgin signature it is marked 27 JEWELS SELF WINDING, and at the bottom, plainly, AMERICAN MADE. The steel case carries a screw back stamped ELGIN DURAPOWER with the claims of the era pressed into the rim: waterproof, resistant to shock, dust and magnetism.

The dial carries honest age spotting, which is described in the condition report rather than hidden. This is a watch bought to be worn hard and it looks like one.

Key Features

• Elgin Durapower self-winding
• Silver dial with applied Arabic numerals
• 27 jewels
• Marked American Made
• Stainless steel waterproof screw back
• Black croc-embossed leather

Specifications

• Brand: Elgin
• Case Reference: S006109
• Case: Round, stainless steel, screw back
• Dial: Silver with applied Arabic numerals, marked 27 JEWELS SELF WINDING and AMERICAN MADE
• Movement: Automatic, 27 jewels
• Caseback Marking: ELGIN DURAPOWER with S006109, WATERPROOF, RESISTANT TO SHOCK, DUST AND MAGNETISM, STAINLESS STEEL
• Strap: Black croc-embossed leather, steel buckle
• Signed: Dial and caseback
• Case Dimensions:
• Lug to Lug:

Condition Report

• Dial: Silver dial carries visible age spotting and tarnish across the centre, most apparent under raking light. Numerals and printing remain sharp.
• Case: Steel with light surface marks consistent with age.
• Crystal: Good.
• Movement: Serviced and running properly.
• Strap: Black leather in good order with light wear.

Historical Significance

The Elgin National Watch Company of Elgin, Illinois made around sixty million watches between 1864 and 1968, more than any other American maker, and supplied the US military through both world wars. Durapower was Elgin's mainspring and case technology brand, applied to the tougher end of its range. By the 1950s the company was fighting Swiss imports on durability rather than refinement, which is the argument this caseback is making.

Offered by ReWrist. Each piece is inspected and photographed in-house. Vintage Luxury, Redefined.