Bidspirit auction | Elgin Manual Wind Tank Wristwatch

Elgin Manual Wind Tank Wristwatch with Speidel Expansion Band - This vintage Elgin manual wind wristwatch features a rectangular gold-tone base metal case in the tank style. The cream-colored dial, which is protected by a curved crystal, displays gold-tone Arabic numerals and a rectangular subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The dial is printed with ELGIN below the 12 o'clock position. The timepiece is currently disassembled, showing a round 15-jewel manual wind movement. The movement is engraved ELGIN 554 U-S-A, X849795, and 15 JEWELS. The inner case back is stamped with CASED AND TIMED BY ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH CO, followed by KEYSTONE in a banner above a keystone symbol containing a J, BASE METAL, and the number 60573. A hand-scratched service mark reading 7117 is also visible on the interior. The outer case back is stamped BASE METAL. The watch is fitted with a vintage stainless steel and gold-tone Speidel expansion band. The interior links of the band are stamped SPEIDEL, D 158.633, PAT 2,515,817, and 57. Per user-provided facts, this watch runs. The watch head measures approximately 1 3/8 inches in length including lugs and 1 inch in width excluding the crown (photo 12). The watch is in fair vintage condition and is currently disassembled (photo 11). The gold-tone case shows significant wear to the plating, scratches, and scuffing throughout (photo 1). The crystal has numerous scratches and a cloudy appearance (photo 2). The dial exhibits heavy patination, spotting, and significant green oxidation (verdigris) around the outer edges (photo 10). The movement shows visible surface dirt and potential oxidation to the wheels (photo 11). The Speidel expansion band has accumulated debris between the links and shows wear to the gold-tone finish (photo 4).