Elgin Durapower Grade 683 17 Jewel Men's Cushion Case Watch with Box circa 1953, 10K RGP Bezel Stain

Lot description — Sphere Auctions LLC

Up for sale is a vintage Elgin Durapower men's manual-wind wristwatch dating to approximately 1953, presented in its original Elgin Durapower display box. The box is covered in cream textured fabric with a gold metal Elgin nameplate on the front and features a blue satin interior with the Elgin and Durapower logos printed on the lid interior in gold and blue. Watch was running at time of listing.The cushion-shaped case features a 10K RGP (rolled gold plate) bezel with a brushed stainless steel caseback. The caseback is stamped with a star, "10K RGP BEZEL," and "STAINLESS STEEL BACK." There is also a partial circular stamp reading "Elgin National Watch Company" along with case serial number 585970. The case shows surface scratches and light wear consistent with age, and some verdigris is visible along the inner case back edges. The Elgin-signed crown is gold-toned.The dial is cream/champagne colored and shows visible aging including scattered surface scratches and some spotting. It features gold-tone Arabic numerals at 12, 2, 4, 8, 10, and 6 o'clock positions, with applied gold-tone arrowhead/triangle hour markers at the remaining positions. The Elgin name appears in blue at the upper dial, and the Durapower "dp" logo is printed below it in a style consistent with mid-1950s American Elgin production. A recessed sub-seconds register is located at 6 o'clock. Gold-tone hands with a blue center cap are present on the main dial, and a gold-tone seconds hand sits in the subsidiary dial.The movement is the Elgin Grade 683, 17 jewels, adjusted, manual wind, made in the U.S.A., as marked on the movement plate: "ELGIN 683 U-S-A / ADJ'D 17 JEWELS." The balance wheel, escapement, and gilt gear train are all visible and appear intact. The fast/slow regulator is marked F and S.The watch is fitted to a Speidel expansion bracelet stamped "SPEIDEL PAT 2,689,450" on the underside of multiple links. The bracelet end caps are stamped "10K G.F. TOP CAPS 66," indicating 10 karat gold-filled top caps manufactured in 1966 — a period-correct accessory common on Elgin watches of this era. The bracelet shows significant scratching and worn gold plating revealing base metal on several links. Case lugs show light wear.That is a mechanical watch. Watch may run at time of listing. We do not guarantee extended runtime or accuracy.