L o r d E l g i n E l v i s D i r e c t R e a d i n g
c. 1 9 5 7
Lord Elgin “Direct Reading” men’s Retro Modern design jump hour wristwatch in 14K yellow gold fill with original matching faceted bracelet, circa 1957.
Most collectors to refer to this model of Elgin’s “Direct Reading” as the “Elvis” watch because it was a favorite of Elvis Presley. There are many fantastic photos from the 1950s showing Elvis wearing the watch. Elgin catalogued the watch as the "Direct Reading 7776" and it was priced at $95.00 in 1957. It features an early use of the digital concept, with two rotating disks displaying the time through a window in the rectangular beveled case, with the hour disk jumping at the top of each hour. It is very difficult to find with its original matching Hadley faceted bracelet. This example is in crisp, excellent condition with only a few specks of brassing to the tips of the lug. The gold applied Elgin crest still shows almost all of its detail. Bezel has a matte and polished finish which I have restored. Caseback is excellent and unengraved, with some faint marks. The case measures 36mm long and 26mm wide. Original rotating dial disks are superb. Glass crystal is excellent. This watch is powered by its correct 21-jewel Elgin grade 719 adjusted movement, just serviced by me, with the hour disk jumping crisply. Original Hadley gold filled bracelet is very good, with some light wear and a few dents on the underside.
(SOLD)
