Elgin “Durabalance” Wristwatches - Lord Elgin 30 Jewels

 Elgin “Durabalance” Wristwatches (1950s–1960s)

• Featured Elgin’s innovative free-sprung balance wheel for better durability and accuracy.
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

14K Yellow Gold Vintage Elgin Watch

 14K Yellow Gold Vintage Elgin 17 Jewels Swiss Movement

Vintage Elgin Watch Advertisements

 

Antique Elgin Pocket Watch Solid 14K Gold Case circa 1913

 

Antique Elgin Pocket Watch Housed in this Stunning Solid 14K Gold Case circa 1913

Vintage Automatic Elgin Diver Watch

Vintage Automatic Elgin Diver Watch

case size	42 MM
movement	Automatic Winding
approximate age	1970s
dial color	Exotic
material	Stainless Steel
style	Dive
category	Vintage
bracelet	Leather
lug width	20 MM

Vintage Lord Elgin Automatic Watch

 Vintage Lord Elgin Automatic Watch

case size	34 MM
movement	Automatic-winding
approximate age	1960s
dial color	Champagne
material	Yellow Gold
style	Dress
category	Vintage
bracelet	Leather
lug width	16 MM

Elgin watch factories

 

Main Factory: Elgin, Illinois

• Location: Just northwest of Chicago

• Opened: 1867

• Closed: 1964

• Facility: At its peak, the Elgin National Watch Company operated the largest watch manufacturing complex in the world, with over 500,000 square feet of floor space and employing thousands of workers.

• Specialty: Produced pocket watches, wristwatches, and watch movements. Known for mass-producing reliable, affordable timepieces using American engineering.

Other Notable Facilities:

1. Lincoln, Nebraska

   • Timeframe: Brief post-WWII period

   • Purpose: Housed some production and administrative functions during the company's later years, particularly after the Elgin, Illinois factory closed.

2. Elgin Watch College (Elgin, Illinois)

   • Established: 1920s

   • Purpose: Trained watchmakers and technicians; located near the main factory.

3. South Carolina (Post-Elgin National Watch Company era)

   • In the 1960s, after closing its Illinois operations, the company briefly attempted to move assembly operations to South Carolina. This period marked the decline of American-made Elgin watches, with more components being imported.

 After the Factory Era:

After the Elgin factory shut down in 1964, the "Elgin" name was sold and used by other companies. Watches bearing the Elgin name after that point were not made in the original Illinois factory and were often imported or assembled from foreign parts.

When and Why Elgin Used the Name " Lord Elgin "

 

Elgin first began using the "Lord Elgin" name around 1936, and the designation remained in use until the company ceased U.S. watch production in the 1960s. Here's the context and reasoning behind the name:

When:

• First Use: Around 1936

• Peak Usage: 1940s–1950s (especially post-WWII)

• Final Years: Continued sporadically into the early 1960s

Why Elgin Used the Name "Lord Elgin":

1. Brand Prestige and Differentiation:

   • "Lord Elgin" was introduced as Elgin’s premium line, meant to convey higher quality, elegance, and status. The name evoked sophistication and nobility, aiming to compete with higher-end domestic and Swiss watches.

2. Marketing and Tiering Strategy:

   • Elgin used tiered branding:

     • "Lord Elgin" = Top-tier, often featuring solid gold cases, 23-jewel movements, and superior finish.

     • "Elgin" = Standard production models.

     • "Lady Elgin" = Women's premium line, introduced in parallel.

3. Appeal to Post-Depression/WWII Consumers:

   • In the 1930s and 1940s, Americans were becoming more brand- and status-conscious. "Lord Elgin" was designed to appeal to customers seeking luxury without buying Swiss.

4. Symbol of American Quality:

   • It reinforced the idea that American-made watches could be just as refined and accurate as their Swiss counterparts.

Notable Characteristics of Lord Elgin Watches:

• High jewel counts (often 21 to 27 jewels)

• Advanced movements, including Durabalance and free-sprung balances

• Solid gold or gold-filled cases

• Elegant Art Deco and Mid-Century designs

• Often marked "Lord Elgin" on the dial and movement

Elgin Shockmaster Sports Watch

 

Elgin Shockmaster (1950s–60s)

• Purpose: Built for durability, these watches were marketed as shock-resistant and designed for active lifestyles.

• Features:

  • Manual wind movement

  • Anti-shock system (Incabloc)

  • Sturdy stainless steel cases

  • Luminous hands and markers

• Style: Classic 1950s tool-watch look, often with Arabic numerals and field-style dials.

  
  
  
  
  
  

Famous People Who Wore Elgin Watches

 

1. James Stewart

• Watch: Likely wore an Elgin military-issued timepiece during World War II.

• Why notable: Stewart served as a U.S. Army Air Force pilot and was photographed wearing a military-style Elgin or similar watch in uniform.

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2. Clark Gable

• Rumored Connection: Gable, the "King of Hollywood," was known for stylish accessories and had a taste for American watches, including Elgin. While not definitively photographed with one, collectors speculate he may have owned an Elgin among other brands.

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3. Frank Sinatra

Possibly owned: Elgin or Lord Elgin during the 1950s, as part of his broad collection of American watches.

• Why notable: Sinatra’s influence on mid-century fashion made any watch he wore a cultural reference point.

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4. Elvis Presley

• Rumored Link: Elvis owned many watches, and while his most famous is the Hamilton Ventura, some vintage dealers and enthusiasts claim he may have worn or gifted Elgin watches in his early career, though this remains unconfirmed.

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5. Robert Mitchum

• Watch: Mitchum was seen wearing a classic mid-century dress watch, which some collectors have identified as a Lord Elgin in certain 1950s films. Again, documentation is scarce, but possible.

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Bonus: Military Figures & Civilians

• During WWI and WWII, many actors-turned-soldiers like Henry Fonda, Paul Newman, or Charlton Heston may have worn Elgin watches as part of standard military gear (A-11 watches, etc.).