Discoveries of summer
Everybody has a watch to which it aspires to get
For some people that goal is a luxury watch like a Rolex or an Audemars Piguet, for others a Seiko or an Oris; but for me it's my grandfather's watch, a down to earth Elgin model Sportsman found during this summer cleaning.
Here is the watch, a stainless steel case with a still intact domed acrylic cristal, the original strap was crocodile or embossed crocodile and it was rotting away so a put a cheapo 16mm vintage style strap. Quite small by modern standards being only 33mm in case diameter, 40mm lug to lug and 10mm thick with the crystal being at least 3mm of thickness.
There are lot of Elgins on the vintage market but this one is special, this one is mine without me the watch doesn't work and without him I cannot know what time it is.
Unfortunately I don't know how he got it and I didn't have the opportunity to ask as he passed away when I was twelve, the only thing I know it's that he had traveller friends that came and go to America as well as knowing a lot of politicians and even some ambassadors.
Some of the history behind this modest Sportsman line, they were made to compete with the influx of Swiss manufactured watches entering America, in the 50s and 60s which made acquiring a watch cheap with plenty of models to choose from. This made Elgin start to outsource 17 jewel, manual wind or automatic, non regulated movements (as to not pay import taxes when crossing american customs) from places like France, Germany and even Switzerland so they could case them back in America and offer the everyday man an affordable and reliable tool to tell the time. I don't have more information about them if anyone wants to add something to this please tell me so we could all learn.
Which makes me think that it never has received any service as far as I know, I have to take it to a reputable watchmaker for cleaning and oiling.
Just a young chap who is starting, with a passion for vintage watches
It’s a very nice watch and it fits your wrist perfectly!
When my grandfather past family turned into vultures over his and my grandmother’s possessions unfortunately. I’m not alone to that side of my family but I wrote a letter stating I would have paid any kind of money to have received his personal watch which I have no clue what company it was. Sadly my letter was disregarded completely and I don’t have anything of his after loosing him. All that to say I envy you my friend. Cherish his time piece.
When my grandfather past family turned into vultures over his and my grandmother’s possessions unfortunately. I’m not alone to that side of my family but I wrote a letter stating I would have paid any kind of money to have received his personal watch which I have no clue what company it was. Sadly my letter was disregarded completely and I don’t have anything of his after loosing him. All that to say I envy you my friend. Cherish his time piece.
A real shame about your family, in my case they decided to throw it to the bin, but kept it for myself as I don't have anything from him. We are still cleaning I will not be very surprised if we find more things, as I my grandmother has told me that he never threw away the box it came in.
The good thing about knowing about watches and this not being a brand (I'm looking at you Rolex and Omega) is that nobody is going to look at it just your normal grandpa watch, also he stated in his will that everything he owns (except for properties and such) will be given to his grandchildren. If my grandfather brothers ever want it they will have to take it from my cold dead hands, in my case those are the vultures
33 is not a small watch)
It suits you very well)
33 is not a small watch)
It suits you very well)
I mean by moderns standards yes, but I never said I did like it in fact I gravitate towards small watches or vintage size watches and dig the vintage aesthetic since I tried a 1950s 33mm Omega on a jewelry.
Miles better than the oversized trend we lived in, in which is quite difficult to find smaller watches than 38mm which make my 5.9in wrists look a bit ridiculous, definitely not make me look like I'm compensating for something.
It’s a very nice watch and it fits your wrist perfectly!
Thanks, unfortunately it is quite difficult to find modern vintage size watches as the few options I have with 5.9in wrists makes me choose between no watch or women watches instead of the 45mm monstrosities (in brand and design) I see in the shops as mens watches, more like power lifter watches.
When my grandfather past family turned into vultures over his and my grandmother’s possessions unfortunately. I’m not alone to that side of my family but I wrote a letter stating I would have paid any kind of money to have received his personal watch which I have no clue what company it was. Sadly my letter was disregarded completely and I don’t have anything of his after loosing him. All that to say I envy you my friend. Cherish his time piece.
💔
Thanks, unfortunately it is quite difficult to find modern vintage size watches as the few options I have with 5.9in wrists makes me choose between no watch or women watches instead of the 45mm monstrosities (in brand and design) I see in the shops as mens watches, more like power lifter watches.
Well, at least some modern ladies sized watches are just scaled down versions of the men sized ones.
I’m glad the trend of watches sizes is now going down.
I have 7.1 inch wrists and I typically prefer watches 36mm to 40mm in diameter, up to 42mm if they are divers. Anything above 42mm is hit and miss.
I mean by moderns standards yes, but I never said I did like it in fact I gravitate towards small watches or vintage size watches and dig the vintage aesthetic since I tried a 1950s 33mm Omega on a jewelry.
Miles better than the oversized trend we lived in, in which is quite difficult to find smaller watches than 38mm which make my 5.9in wrists look a bit ridiculous, definitely not make me look like I'm compensating for something.
I agree.)
I have slightly bigger 6.5inch wrists and I still don’t like the modern trend in watch sizes. I mean, 38-42mm dress watches are an effective alternative to wall clock, lmao.)
Trends will come and go, but classic is classic.
I love them vintage Omegas. I’m on phase of looking at 32-36mm Constellation with integrated bracelet, so elegant.
This watch you have is very tasteful. I like it a lot)
Well, at least some modern ladies sized watches are just scaled down versions of the men sized ones.
I’m glad the trend of watches sizes is now going down.
I have 7.1 inch wrists and I typically prefer watches 36mm to 40mm in diameter, up to 42mm if they are divers. Anything above 42mm is hit and miss.
With that wrist size you have quite a lot of options to choose from, my father has a similar wrist size and wears an almost 50mm Garmin watch but the rest of if small collections are a 37mm chronograph an a 22mm Cartier Tank homage from the 80s.
I understand the need of options for people with big wrist, but brands should also take into account the small people out there. Back in the day a small watch show the world the technological prowess of a watchmaking brand, a real shame as 98% of the watches I see people wearing are big, blingy chronograph watches by fashion brands like Vincero, Viceroy, DW or whatever brands the local stores decide to stock.
When my grandfather past family turned into vultures over his and my grandmother’s possessions unfortunately. I’m not alone to that side of my family but I wrote a letter stating I would have paid any kind of money to have received his personal watch which I have no clue what company it was. Sadly my letter was disregarded completely and I don’t have anything of his after loosing him. All that to say I envy you my friend. Cherish his time piece.
My family were similar but instead of fighting over who gets what. They asked no one if they wanted anything and began throwing out or selling thing cheap. They sold his Longines Wittnauer for cheap because it wasn't running. They threw out a late 40s Schwinn Hornet bicycle. My heart was broken. Not once was I or anyone else asked. I did get 2 crosses. 1 hung in they're house as long as I could remember, and the other in his casket after his death.
I agree.)
I have slightly bigger 6.5inch wrists and I still don’t like the modern trend in watch sizes. I mean, 38-42mm dress watches are an effective alternative to wall clock, lmao.)
Trends will come and go, but classic is classic.
I love them vintage Omegas. I’m on phase of looking at 32-36mm Constellation with integrated bracelet, so elegant.
This watch you have is very tasteful. I like it a lot)
I just look at the Constellation, quite a 70s/80s retro look with the bracelet.
In my case the one I saw and tried in the jewelry was similar to this, probably not the same model
Both are clean and simple watches, being the only modern alternative I found to the Omega I tried the Seiko SACM150.
I wish you luck on your hunt for your perfect Omega Constellation
I just look at the Constellation, quite a 70s/80s retro look with the bracelet.
In my case the one I saw and tried in the jewelry was similar to this, probably not the same model
Both are clean and simple watches, being the only modern alternative I found to the Omega I tried the Seiko SACM150.
I wish you luck on your hunt for your perfect Omega Constellation
I'm looking at those watches
and also on a tonneau cases with a brick bracelet)