Rare Elgin "Jeweler Case Diamond Dial" men's Art Deco design men's wristwatch in 14K pink and yellow gold, circa 1938.


In the 1930s and 1940s, jewelry companies would create custom precious metals cases and install a genuine Elgin, Hamilton, or Longines movement with a custom diamond dial. In the vintage watch trade, these are commonly called "contract cases" but there was never any business arrangement between these jewelers and the watch companies. The Hamilton Watch Company considered these jeweler-cased watches that had "Hamilton" printed on the dial to be counterfeits and threatened legal action to the jewelers who sold them. Nevertheless, there is a strong market for them among collectors. This variation was created by using a genuine factory-cased solid 14K yellow gold Elgin Streamline Model 1963 and adding the pink gold steps along the sides of the case and the diamond dial. It is a rare watch and I've only seen a few of them. It is in excellent condition showing only very light wear. Caseback is excellent and unengraved. Case measures 39mm long and 21mm wide. Refinished diamond dial is superb. Has new glass crystal. The watch is powered by its correct 17-jewel Elgin grade 483 manual wind movement, just serviced and running strong.


Price $625.