Skip to content
Elgin Chronograph (Ref. 7452), 1960s — view 1 of 6
View 1 of 6 · Image: Craft & Tailored · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Elgin Chronograph (Ref. 7452), 1960s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Elgin (maker)
Date
1960s
Country of origin
United States
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 42 mm
Stock no.
ELG7452
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (ELG7452)
Catalogue title (original)
1960s Elgin Chronograph (Ref. 7452) W/ Box and Papers (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number ELG7452), this is a wristwatch by Elgin, made in United States, dated 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 42 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Elgin was a watch company originating from Elgin, Illinois and was founded in 1864 under the name "National Watch Company" and officially became "Elgin National Watch Company" in 1874. The first wristwatch for Elgin came into production in 1910 and in the Second World War, Elgin produced both watches and military instruments for the United States Military. Unfortunately, Elgin disbanded in the year 1968. All US manufacturing discontinued and the Elgin name was sold. After the Elgin names initial sale, the name passed through several hands which resulted in some interesting pieces that were manufactured under the Elgin name from all over the world. This Elgin Chronograph ref. 7452 is a complete time-capsule full set. The case of the ref. 7452 is reminiscent of the Heuer Camaros of the same era. The "panda" matte white dial with black subdials is signed T Swiss T and features charming red accents. The watch employs a Valjoux 7736 chronograph movement and comes complete with all of its original accessories. SPECS Stock # ELG7452 Brand Elgin Style Chronograph Model 7452 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte White W/ Black Sub-Dials & Orange Accents Millimeters 42mm Bracelet Original Elgin 2pc Blue/White Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The excellent oval case is believed to remain unpolished, displaying all of its factory finishing and dimensions. The case retains its original, unsigned crown and pump pushers. The caseback retains its original factory engravings. The watch comes supplied with its original blue/white Elgin strap. DIAL & HANDS The matte white "panda" dial with black sub-dials and red accents is in near flawless condition. The dial itself shows very few signs of aging. The tritium lume plots within the markers have aged to a wonderful golden coloration and exhibit no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original tritium hands have aged slightly lighter than the dial, which is common for this reference, and show no lume loss or degradation under U.V. light inspection. ACCESSORIES

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

  • Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
  • Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
  • Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
  • Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

  • Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
  • Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
  • Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

Related records