Age of wristwatch?

Based on style, I think perhaps this wristwatch is from the first three decades of the 20th century. Does that sound right? Or could it also be '30s or '40s?

I don't see any markings on the front or the back. Does that probably mean it's all base metal, or could it possibly be gold-plated or gold-filled? The color of the case isn't at all brassy-looking and has a subtle gold-tone.

I don't know if the band was replaced. It doesn't look worn at all.

Thanks for any help...

 

Oh, and would you call the pattern on the case a "chased" design?

 

Probably 1920-25. Flip the back open, any useful information is on the inside of the case.

THe cases are stamped out so it is not really chased or engraved.

The picture looks like silver. If it ooks yellow you may have cataracts. :-(

 

If you can see any plate wear through in the corners, then it is obviously plated

These three part cases are usually plated

 

Deco numbers.

 

Thanks, Af, Terry, and Silver.

Much to my surprise, somehow after I took the back off, the watch started working! Don't know how well it will keep time, though. Time will tell... (pun intended!)

Inside it says "ROOO [ROCO?] 15 JEWELS 2 ADUTS" AND "LANGENDORF SWISS."

I don't see any silver tones showing through in the corners, but then neither the watch nor the band has any real signs of wear.

The back is silver-color, but the front is yellowish... the case is slightly rose-gold looking and the design in the center has a slight greenish tone.

Af, interesting that you don't see any gold. On the one hand, I do have cataracts, but on the other hand, the front of the case is gold-toned, though somewhat subtle. I don't know if it's my monitor or yours, or my eyes or yours, but to me the front of the case in my photo is a light gold color.

 

Yup. 'Tis.

 

Tis...?

I just realized there are marks inside the back cover. They're hard to read because the surface has a texture, but this is what I think it says...

Elgin Giant
Watch Case Co.
ELGIN, U.S.A.
GUARANTEED
14K
GOLDFILLED
25 YEARS
Double Stock
3618805
10 1/2

(edited to fill in missing info)

 

Looking up info on the Elgin site now...

 

Awww... My very first watch wan an Elgin.

 

Oh, well, it wasn't an official Elgin website, and only gave the numbers of Elgin movements, not cases. Still looking, plus will look up the Langendorf marks...

 

Hmm... my case wasn't made by the Elgin Watch Co., just made by a company in Elgin, Illinois.

 

Good quality gold filled (rolled gold).
I am pretty sure the strap is not original.

Try wearing it for a week. Old watches benefit from exercise.

 

You're probably right about the strap, which is a very tight fit, plus the buckle style doesn't fit the watch.

Gee, I'd benefit from exercise myself... should I ask the watch to wear me?

It's running slow... I set the watch to current time about 40 minutes ago but it's reading as though only 20 minutes have passed. But at least it's running!