Items Similar to Elgin Yellow Gold Filled from 1939 with Hand Engraved Monogram Tortue Shaped
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15
Elgin Yellow Gold Filled from 1939 with Hand Engraved Monogram Tortue Shaped
About the Item
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company
STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tortue Shape
METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled
CIRCA / YEAR: 1939
DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 25mm X Diameter 42mm
MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / Caliber 554
DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Solid Gold American Legion Plaque / Original Gilt Hands
ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 15mm / Regular Length
WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement
LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT
This great looking and all original watch was produced by the iconic American House of Elgin. The style is called a Tortue, which means Tortoise in French and it was an original design by Louis Cartier. He based it on Tortoises he saw holding up columns in a Greek Temple that was 3000 years old. The Tortue is still in the Cartier line today. Cartier was one of the first designers to "stylize" basic things around him. He looked at them and re-interpreted them by exaggeration, extension and "stylization."
The watch has a beautiful hand engraved monogram on the back which was common for the era. It keeps dependable time and can be worn all the time, and counted on to get you there, on time, every time. Below is some history about the Elgin Watch Company
The Elgin National Watch Company was founded in 1864 in Elgin, Illinois, as the National Watch Company in Chicago, Illinois. In September of the same year, the founders visited the Waltham Watch Company in Waltham, Massachusetts to “poach” some of their employees. They successfully convinced seven of Waltham's watchmakers to come to work for their new company. The growing young city of Elgin, Illinois, some 30 miles northwest of Chicago, was chosen as the factory site.
The Elgin Watch Company quickly became one of the leading watchmakers in the United States. In 1870, the company produced its first million watches. By 1890, Elgin was producing over two million watches per year, more than any other watch factory in the world. The company's success was due in part to its innovative manufacturing techniques and its commitment to quality. Elgin recognized that the idea of interchangeable parts was the future of all production methods. Their watches were known for their accuracy and durability.
The Elgin also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads They built fine, dependable, sturdy and, very accurate watches. In 1910, Elgin introduced the first wristwatch that met the criteria for the railroads, even though it was not approved for use for 50 years. It was still an achievement.
The company continued to produce high-quality pocket and wristwatches throughout the 20th century, and its watches were worn by celebrities, politicians, and other notable figures.
As with other American companies in technology for the times they benefitted from military contracts for watches for W.W. 1 and W.W. 2 as well. They built instruments for cars, planes, ships and trains as well.
Elgin invented the “unbreakable” mainspring and many other technological breakthroughs. The Swiss paid licensing fees to Elgin for many of their inventions in watchmaking. Patek Philippe even used Elgin’s technology in their Balance Wheels in the 1950’s.
When I started learning watchmaking in the late 1960’s I was about 13 years old. The man who was my teacher was named Norman Jarrett and he was 85 years old when I started. He had been a Forman in the Elgin factory in the 1920’s. I learned watchmaking the old-fashioned way. He taught, “Never fit the watch to the part” he always said, “only fit the part to the watch, or don’t start the project.” He pointed out, “In the future someone better than you may have the skill to do it right, but you ruined the watch already because you did not have the skill.” Like most of the things he “taught me” it was a rule for living life as well.
Watchmaking was a serious craft he said to me one day. Once he shared with me a story about one of the men, he worked with in a shop. The man was not able to accurately adjust the timing after many hours. The next day he committed suicide. I decided that if I could not fix the watch to just put it down for a while and look at it another day.
By the time they closed shop Elgin had produced over 60 million watches and left a legacy of excellence and inventions as well.
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. It is worth noting that this watch only had a 12-month warranty when it was new. However, we are so confident of our workmanship and team that we offer an 18-month warranty on all our watches, even those over 100 years old.
- Seller Location:Long Beach, CA
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1918
1stDibs seller since 2016
885 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Long Beach, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Elgin Rose Gold Filled Art Deco Watch Tortue Shaped Watch from 1940'sBy ElginLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tortue Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Rose Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm X Width 26mm MO...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled, Rose Gold
- Elgin Gold Filled Art Deco Tortue Shaped Watch from 1940's with a Custom DialBy ElginLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tortue Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm X Width 26mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / Caliber: 554 DIAL / HANDS: Custom Finished Orange with Arabic Numerals / Gilt Leaf Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This unique watch by the legendary American house of Elgin was produced in their factory in Elgin Illinois. The watch is done in the classic Tortue or turtle shape and was inspired by a design from Cartier. The original tortue, or turtle watch...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
- Elgin Gold Filled Art Deco Tortue Shaped Wristwatch Original Design by CartierBy ElginLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Tortue Shape / Art Deco / Reference 0728 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Waltham Gold Filled Art Deco Tortue with Breguet Engine Turned Dial from 1939By Waltham Watch CompanyLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Premier / Art Deco / Tortue Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1939 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 22mm Length X 3...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Waltham Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tortue Shaped Watch, Circa 1940'sBy Waltham Watch CompanyLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tortue Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X Width 27mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber 1155 DIAL / HANDS: Original Gold Markers with Gold Arabic Numerals / Gold Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This classic Art Deco Watch was produced by the iconic America house of Waltham, founded in the mid 1800's. They produced some of the worlds finest railroad watches...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Elgin Yellow Gold Filled 1940's Art deco Tonneau Shaped Watch with Original DialBy ElginLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 27mm...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
You May Also Like
- 14k Gold-Filled Lord Elgin Watch with Navajo 14k Gold handmade Turquoise BandBy Lord ElginLocated in Sherman Oaks, CAMovement #626 Case #4615-30319 14k Yellow Gold Filled Rectangular Case 21 mm Wide (22 mm w/ Crown) 29 mm Long Lug-to-Lug Distance = 18 mm Thickness = 10 mm Champagne Dial w/ Gold Numbers and Hands (M + H) and Dedicated Subdial 18 mm Wide 23 mm Long 14k Yellow Gold Hand-Made Navajo Band...Category
Vintage 1960s American Native American Wrist Watches
MaterialsTurquoise, Gold-filled
- Vintage Ladies Elgin in Platinum with Diamond Bezel and Gold-Filled BraceletBy ElginLocated in Surfside, FLVintage ladies Elgin in platinum with approx. 0.20 carats in G-H color, VS clarity diamond bezel and gold-filled bracelet. Manual. With security chain on the clasp. Circa 1930s. Fine Pre-owned Elgin Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Elgin watch...Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsPlatinum, Gold-filled
- Elgin “Hermetic” Trench / WW1 Y/G Filled Beautiful Survivor!By ElginLocated in Raleigh, NCHere is another sublime offering from Vintage Watch Corner. While this could be called a “Trench Watch" style, it a rare case. It is a “Hermetic Case” (screw on bezel and case back) WW1 Trench Watch...Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Elgin Manual Gold Fill Pcket WatchBy ElginLocated in Surfside, FLGents Elgin in gold fill. Manual. Certified preowned. Fine Pre-owned Elgin Watch. Certified preowned Elgin watch. This Elgin watch has a Gold Arabic Numeral dial. It is Certified A...Category
20th Century Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Vintage Elgin Octagonal Art Deco 14k Gold Filled Silver Floral Dial ladies WatchBy ElginLocated in New York, NYPre-owned Elgin Vintage Octagonal Shaped 14k White Gold Filled Silver Floral Dial Wristwatch. Patina on the Dial, Blue Hands Showing Rust. No Original Bo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- 1931 Elgin Campus Model 467. White and Green Gold Filled! Art Deco BeautyBy ElginLocated in Raleigh, NCElgin, think Art Deco, think white and green gold-filled middle case, Think amazing condition. This is part of the Elgin Campus series that came out. This is the model 467. But first…… Think 1931! Think Elgin Campus Series! I have a shameless plug! My shop was recently selected to supply vintage American watches...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Patek Philippe Greece
Celebrity Patek Philippe
Engraved Pocket Watch For Men
Elgin Swiss Pocket Watch
Rolex Beats Per Second
Rolex Bi Metal Gmt
Rolex Bisel
Rolex Black Pyramid Dial
Rolex Blur
Rolex Brancard
Rolex Cameleon
Rolex Canada Submariner
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 2011
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Black Mother Of Pearl
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Stainless Steel White Face
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona White Face
Rolex Cosmograph Green
Rolex Crow