Vintage Early 1960s Elgin 777 Manual

$165.00

This Elgin is pure mid-century charm: a clean silver dial with raised gold Arabic numerals, slim baton hands, and a playful red arrow sweep-seconds hand skating around the outer track. Inside the monoblock case is Elgin's Grade 777 — a 19-jewel, U.S.A.-made manual-wind movement with an innovative free-sprung balance regulated by movable balance arm weights instead of a conventional index regulator.

Case, Dial & Aesthetic

The bright silver dial and warm gold furniture give this watch a crisp, dressy presence, while the red arrow seconds hand adds just the right bit of period personality. The case is a gold-plated monoblock design with a stainless steel back insert (split-stem construction), keeping the profile clean and very early-'60s in feel.

Movement: Elgin Grade 777

Elgin's Grade 777 is notable for its clever free-sprung balance system, using small adjustable weights on the balance arms for regulation rather than a typical pin regulator. It's a distinctly American, engineering-forward solution and a fun detail for anyone who appreciates unconventional mid-century movement design.

  • Movement: Elgin 777 (manual wind)

  • Jewels: 19

  • Complications: Sweep seconds

  • Shock Protection: No

Condition & Service

This watch has been fully serviced and regulated and fitted with a new crystal. The case has received a 14K gold overplate. Please note: there is significant case wear and pitting, particularly on the back of the case. This has been sealed by overplating but remains visible, so please study the photographs carefully.

Specs & Details

  • Manufacturer: Elgin

  • Model / Reference: 4621

  • Year (Estimated): 1960–1963

  • Case Type: Gold-plated monoblock with stainless steel back insert (split stem)

  • Case Width: 33 mm

  • Lug-to-Lug: 39 mm

  • Thickness: 10 mm

  • Lug Width: 17.4 mm (17 mm strap)

  • Band:Not included (17 mm required)

Why This Watch Matters

If you like your vintage with a little engineering intrigue, the Grade 777 delivers: a U.S.-made manual movement and an unusually modern-minded free-sprung balance approach for the era. Paired with a clean, charismatic dial layout, it's an accessible, honest slice of early-1960s American watchmaking — with enough personality to keep it interesting long after the novelty of "new old stock" wears off.

This Elgin is pure mid-century charm: a clean silver dial with raised gold Arabic numerals, slim baton hands, and a playful red arrow sweep-seconds hand skating around the outer track. Inside the monoblock case is Elgin's Grade 777 — a 19-jewel, U.S.A.-made manual-wind movement with an innovative free-sprung balance regulated by movable balance arm weights instead of a conventional index regulator.

Case, Dial & Aesthetic

The bright silver dial and warm gold furniture give this watch a crisp, dressy presence, while the red arrow seconds hand adds just the right bit of period personality. The case is a gold-plated monoblock design with a stainless steel back insert (split-stem construction), keeping the profile clean and very early-'60s in feel.

Movement: Elgin Grade 777

Elgin's Grade 777 is notable for its clever free-sprung balance system, using small adjustable weights on the balance arms for regulation rather than a typical pin regulator. It's a distinctly American, engineering-forward solution and a fun detail for anyone who appreciates unconventional mid-century movement design.

  • Movement: Elgin 777 (manual wind)

  • Jewels: 19

  • Complications: Sweep seconds

  • Shock Protection: No

Condition & Service

This watch has been fully serviced and regulated and fitted with a new crystal. The case has received a 14K gold overplate. Please note: there is significant case wear and pitting, particularly on the back of the case. This has been sealed by overplating but remains visible, so please study the photographs carefully.

Specs & Details

  • Manufacturer: Elgin

  • Model / Reference: 4621

  • Year (Estimated): 1960–1963

  • Case Type: Gold-plated monoblock with stainless steel back insert (split stem)

  • Case Width: 33 mm

  • Lug-to-Lug: 39 mm

  • Thickness: 10 mm

  • Lug Width: 17.4 mm (17 mm strap)

  • Band:Not included (17 mm required)

Why This Watch Matters

If you like your vintage with a little engineering intrigue, the Grade 777 delivers: a U.S.-made manual movement and an unusually modern-minded free-sprung balance approach for the era. Paired with a clean, charismatic dial layout, it's an accessible, honest slice of early-1960s American watchmaking — with enough personality to keep it interesting long after the novelty of "new old stock" wears off.

Important Note on the Watch Band

Please note that the band pictured is NOT included with watch purchase. I generally acquire new bands for display purposes and do not include them because they vary significantly in price and many purchasers will want to obtain their own band as suits their taste.

You will need an 17mm band to pair with this watch.

However, if you are interested in purchasing the band pictured in the photos along with the watch, it will be available at or near my replacement cost as an optional add-on. If you don’t see it as an option in the listing please message me for help. I am also happy to point you to where you can purchase the exact same band directly from the seller.

If you have questions about bands or want my assistance, please message me. I’m happy to help.

Standard Disclaimer

I make every effort to ensure that the vintage watches I work on are both accurate enough to serve as practical timepieces and reliable enough to be worn and enjoyed for many years to come. That said, vintage watches are delicate and, like any mechanical device, subject to wear.

Therefore, I cannot provide any express or implied warranty for this watch, beyond the fact that it is running, and it is being sold AS IS.

Additional notes

·       Servicing and restoration followed the process described in detail here.

  • Vintage watches are delicate - particularly older models that lack shock protection. Please handle with care

  • Regardless of what it says on the case, I do not attempt to restore watches to a fully waterproof condition. Please keep this watch away from water and definitely do not submerge it.

  • If the watch is an automatic, I recommend that you use the hand wind feature sparingly to minimize wear on the automatic winding mechanism.

I do like to stand behind my work, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any problems. I will correct any obvious defects in my workmanship free of charge and will provide lifetime service (as long as I am able) for vintage timepieces that I have restored at heavily discounted rates.

Regarding Parts Originality

I know that some collectors are very concerned with originality of parts. I will list any parts that I replace, internally or externally, in the condition notes above. I will also make a good faith effort to assess whether any of the watch parts (e.g. dial, crown or hands, etc.) may have been replaced or refinished prior to my acquisition of the watch and, if I believe it is likely they were, I will also indicate this in the condition notes above. However, I cannot make any bedrock guarantees regarding originality of parts. I work on many different watch brands and lack the deep expertise on the history of any given brand that would be necessary to do so.