Elgin 19J adj. grade 681 wrist watch #I534813, case #5733 U356769, vintage mechanical manual-wind nickel split plate movement with a brushed finish and bold red ruby jewels, champagne-toned metal dial with art-deco style raised gold Arabic-style numbers and markers and a subsidiary seconds register, dial has a few small specks of discoloration but no heavy scratches or damage, gold steel wedge-style hands, attractive yellow gold filled (YGF) rectangular case with sloping smooth polish bezels supporting a thick domed glass crystal and distinctive chevron-shaped center case accents with a sculpted decorative finish that create hidden lugs to connect the watch band, case is showing normal even wear overall but does have some small spots of brass starting to show near the crown and on the back-side of the lugs along with some light scratches and small chips on the glass crystal, measures approx. 25mm wide x 37mm lug to lug x 10mm thick (crystal included), deeply textured brown leather strap band. A very distinctive, high quality vintage Elgin from the 1950s in excellent overall condition!
- Year Made: 1954-1955
- Company:
Elgin
- Jewels: 0919J
- Setting/Movement Type:
manual-wind
- Adjustments: 1-3 positions
- Model/Grade: 681
- Serial #: I534813
- Movement Finish: nickel
- Dial Material: metal
- Dial Color: champagne
- Dial Details:
art-deco style numbers
- Hand Style:
wedge
- Case Style:
rectangular
-
Case Material:
Gold Filled - Yellow
- Case Details:
extra-thick glass crystal, hidden lugs
-
Case Width, without crown:
25mm (0.98 inches)
-
Case Length, lug to lug:
37mm (1.46 inches)
-
Case Thickness:
10mm (0.39 inches)
-
Interior Lug Width:
18mm
(11/16")
-
Band Size:
7in. to 7.99in.
(measurement range includes watch length & band)
- Band Material: leather strap
- Crystal Material: glass
- Condition:
Excellent
-
Gender:
Unisex
The Elgin watch company, out of Elgin, Illinois, was in business from 1864-1964, and while active, was the largest-producing American watch company, manufacturing an estimated half of all pocket watches ("dollar" watches not included). By 1956 they had produced over 55 million pocket and wrist watches.
As an additional resource, we've posted a
Serial Number Production List which includes information for Elgin serial numbers and dates of manufacture.
The NAWCC also has a
comprehensive article about the company; additional information may also be found on
Wikipedia.
You may browse all of our men's pocket watches from this manufacturer at our
Vintage Men's Elgin Pocket Watches category.
This watch is in good running condition, unless otherwise noted in the description. This means that on receipt, pending any item-specific running conditions noted in the description, you can expect the watch to be winding and setting properly and to run smoothly while keeping reasonable time. We consider "reasonable time" to meet these basic guidelines:
- Railroad Grade Watches will be keeping +/- 5 minutes per day
- Pocket and Wrist Watches with 15 or more jewels will be keeping +/- 10 minutes per day
- All key wind watches and watches with 14 or fewer jewels will be keeping +/- 15 minutes per day
The above guideline is the lowest standard in which we would ship out a watch, however in most cases, you will see much better timekeeping. Most of our watches have been in storage for many years, so if you plan on carrying/wearing them everyday, you should consider having them cleaned and oiled soon, and then once a year thereafter to keep them in top running condition. If the watches will be for occasional use or display, they should be cleaned and serviced every 3 to 5 years depending on use.
As of November 25th, 2024, we are not offering a cleaning and service option through PM Time Service. While we do hope to offer this again in the future, we are unfortunately unable to meet customer requests for watch servicing at this time. Please note that, unless otherwise mentioned within the "Full Description" tab, this watch is being sold in good running condition and is ready to wear or carry on arrival.
Unlike modern quartz watches, most vintage watches need daily winding in order to keep the watch functioning for timekeeping. Additionally, there are a number of different ways to set the time other than simply pulling the crown away from the watch body. We are happy to provide an overview of each of the different setting types on our
"How To Use" page, where we also provide information on proper winding techniques for each style and some suggestions for the proper long term care and storage of your watch.
For your gift giving convenience, please find a consolidated overview of the information on this item, with no reference to the price, on this
printer-optimized page.
