Men’s 1931 Elgin – Extremely Rare Model

Deco-era Elgin wristwatches are always satisfying to study and offer for sale. After all, the Elgin Watch factory was the biggest watch factory in the world, with its own jeweling house, watch college, and observatory stretching across city block after city block in the little town of Elgin, Ill. This progressive company spared no expense in finding the most talented artists and case designers to come up with a look that would set their watches apart from and, ABOVE, the rest.

Anyone unfamiliar with Elgin's flair for design need only take a look at this STUNNING enameled example of Deco artwork.

And we mean stunning.

Oversized at 37mm by 30mm, in a classic "bombe" or tonneau shape and featuring an inner bezel with Arabic numerals in relief, the watch is a literal study in Deco philosophy. The design has the dreamy geometric lines that give Deco its Aztec "flair" with a classic quality to the case and dial. The minute track runs around the hour chapter of this original dial, matching the shape of the case. An inner sub-seconds register also echoes the bombe/tonneau case shape. It passes our requirement for art: If one can't stop looking at it and one gets pleasure every time they see it, it's art. This watch is – without question – extraordinary tactile art.

Snap open the back and you'll find another marvel of the era: Its original movement –a well-engineered, fully serviced grade 487 4/0 17 ruby jewel movement with compensated balance, whip regulator and raised, ruby-jeweled settings.

This extraordinary watch comes with what we believe to be its original, matching white gold-filled bracelet band. We’re pleased to offer this gorgeous work of horological art in a period Elgin factory presentation case.

For those who feel the sweet ache of the Jazz-Age longing, this extraordinary timepiece will assuredly make you THE "Man about Town."