Elgin Art Deco Tank Watch 1930s Vintage Tank Dial Aztec Revival Bracelet

WA-5279
1 In stock
$529.00 $450.00
Watch Overview Discover the Elgin Art Deco Tank, dating from the late 1930s to early 1940s — a distinctive men’s wristwatch that reflects the bold elegance of the Art Deco era. Powered by a manual-wind Elgin mechanical movement, this watch features a rectangular dial with gilt Arabic numerals, ornate gold-tone...
customers are viewing this product

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS, WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

IF THE MERCHANDISE YOU PURCHASE FROM Secondhand Horology, LLC (“Secondhand Horology”, “WE”, OR “US”) IS SUBJECT TO A THIRD PARTY WARRANTY, THEN THE MERCHANDISE WILL BE GOVERNED BY SUCH THIRD PARTY WARRANTY (TO THE EXTENT SUCH THIRD PARTY WARRANTY IS ASSIGNABLE BY US TO YOU) AND WILL NOT BE GOVERNED BY THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. IF THE MERCHANDISE YOU PURCHASE FROM US IS NOT SUBJECT TO A THIRD PARTY WARRANTY, Secondhand Horology WARRANTS THAT DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD (DEFINED BELOW), THE MERCHANDISE THAT YOU PURCHASED FROM US WILL BE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP.

WE LIMIT THE DURATION AND REMEDIES OF ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE TO THE WARRANTY PERIOD.

SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE IS LIMITED TO REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE MERCHANDISE (INCLUDING THE PARTS THEREIN) AS DESCRIBED BELOW IN THIS WARRANTY STATEMENT.

WHO MAY USE THIS WARRANTY?

Secondhand Horology extends this limited warranty only to the consumer who originally purchased the merchandise (“you”) from Secondhand Horology. It does not extend to any subsequent owner or other transferee of the merchandise.

WHAT DOES THIS WARRANTY COVER?

This limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship of the merchandise for the Warranty Period as defined below.

WHAT DOES THIS WARRANTY NOT COVER?

This limited warranty does not cover any damage due to: (a) transportation; (b) storage; (c) improper use; (d) failure to follow the merchandise instructions or to perform any preventive maintenance; (e) modifications; (f) unauthorized repair; (g) normal wear and tear; or (h) external causes such as accidents, abuse, or other actions or events beyond our reasonable control.

WHAT IS THE PERIOD OF COVERAGE?

If the merchandise or any portion of the merchandise that you purchase is subject to a third party warranty, Secondhand Horology hereby assigns to you all of its rights and remedies under such warranty to the extent that such rights and remedies are assignable. If the merchandise or any portion of the merchandise is not subject to any other warranty as of the date of purchase by you, and subject to the terms of this Limited Warranty, Secondhand Horology

 warrants that the merchandise shall be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase by you (the “Warranty Period”). The Warranty Period is not extended if we repair or replace the merchandise. We may change the availability of this limited warranty at our discretion, but any changes will not be retroactive.

WHAT ARE YOUR REMEDIES UNDER THIS WARRANTY?

With respect to any defective merchandise during the Warranty Period, we will, in our sole discretion repair or replace such merchandise (or the defective part) free of charge. We will also pay for shipping and handling fees to return the repaired or replacement merchandise to you if we elect to repair or replace the defective merchandise.

HOW DO YOU OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE?

To obtain warranty service, you must call +1(217)-802-6098 or email our Customer Service Department at info@secondhandhorology.com during the Warranty Period to obtain a Defective Merchandise Authorization (“DMA”) number. Read more about our return and warranty service policies.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

THE REMEDIES DESCRIBED ABOVE ARE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES AND OUR ENTIRE LIABILITY FOR ANY BREACH OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. OUR LIABILITY SHALL UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEED THE ACTUAL AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR THE DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE, NOR SHALL WE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR LOSSES, WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT.

SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Secondhand Horology is honored to have the opportunity to serve you. That is why we stand by all of our products with a full 12-month limited warranty. If an item we sell you should fail as a result of a manufacturer's defect at any time during the first 12 months, we will repair or replace the item at absolutely no cost to you.

If your watch has any symptoms of abnormally gaining time, losing time, or not keeping proper time please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email. If it is determined by Secondhand Horology that a repair under warranty is required one of our trained watch professionals will direct you on how to safely and efficiently ship the watch to us.


Not covered by warranty:

  • Regular wear-and-tear from normal use.
  • External damage to the product. Any damages resulting from wear to the watch case, crystal/glass, watch bracelet, watch bezel, straps, screws, crown/stem, finishes, clasps/buckles, or any other physical damage to the watch.
  • Defects caused by outside force or improper use. Consequential and incidental damages.
  • The loss of precious, semi-precious stones from settings.
  • Outside modifications and third party repair attempts of any kind will void the warranty.
  • Any damage if used under conditions which exceed the watch manufacturer’s water resistance guidelines.
  • Watches that are labeled as water resistant feature a screw down crown. The crown must be screwed down properly at all times to keep the watch casing watertight. Water damage is not covered under the warranty unless it is proven defective by the Secondhand Horology.
  • Shipping cost to Secondhand Horology.

Secondhand Horology is determined to stand behind every part of your shopping experience. The Secondhand Horology warranty allows you to make a completely risk-free purchase. This has been our policy and our promise since we began nearly three decades ago serving customers on a local level. Now, we are standing by this policy as we serve online customers from around the world. We look forward to serving you and giving you the incredible value and experience you deserve.

Product Description

Watch Overview

Discover the Elgin Art Deco Tank, dating from the late 1930s to early 1940s — a distinctive men’s wristwatch that reflects the bold elegance of the Art Deco era. Powered by a manual-wind Elgin mechanical movement, this watch features a rectangular dial with gilt Arabic numerals, ornate gold-tone hands, and a subtle minute track along the perimeter. The dial proudly carries the Elgin name and star emblem, symbols of the brand’s American horological legacy.

Housed in a chromed rectangular case with stepped sides, this Elgin captures the geometry and symmetry characteristic of its time. What makes this piece truly unique is its handcrafted bracelet, a silver-toned band adorned with Aztec/Mayan revival motifs in raised relief — a design popular in mid-20th-century Mexican artisan jewelry. This rare combination of American watchmaking and Latin American decorative art makes the watch not only a functional timekeeper but also a statement of cultural heritage. Presented in good vintage condition, it is fully inspected and offered as a one-of-a-kind collector’s piece.

Product Details

General Specifications

  • Brand: Elgin
  • Type: Wristwatch
  • Model: Art Deco Tank
  • Reference: -
  • Year / Era: Late 1930s – 1940s (Vintage)
  • Gender: Men's
  • Country of Manufacture: United States of America

Dial & Display

  • Display: Analog
  • Color: Champagne / Patina
  • Features: Gilt Arabic numerals, gold-tone hands, minute track, Elgin star emblem

Movement

  • Type: Mechanical (Hand-wind)
  • Caliber: Elgin in-house mechanical movement
  • Jewels:
  • Movement Functions:
    • Manual winding
    • Central hour and minutes
  • Power Reserve: Approx. 36–40 hours
  • Frequency: 18,000 vph (typical for the era)

Case & Band

  • Material: Chrome-plated base metal case, silver-tone bracelet
  • Case Size:
  • Case Shape: Rectangular stepped Art Deco case
  • Bezel: Fixed stepped bezel
  • Crystal: Acrylic
  • Back: Snap-on case back
  • Crown: Push-pull
  • Water Resistance: Not rated (vintage)
  • Band Type: Handcrafted silver-tone bracelet with Aztec/Mayan revival motifs

Additional Info

  • Box & Papers: NO
  • Condition: Good vintage condition, with natural patina on dial, light case wear, and original artisanal bracelet. Fully functional.
  • Extras: Inspected by our watchmaker — offered as a rare collector’s piece combining American watchmaking with mid-century Latin American decorative art.

Extended Details

Movement Markings: Case Back Markings: Measurements (mm):
Unmarked / plain case back (common for this period) Case Width aprox 25
Case Height
Case Thickness
Lug Width
Band Width

History & Legacy of Elgin

Founded in 1864 in Elgin, Illinois, the Elgin National Watch Company quickly became one of America’s most important watch manufacturers, producing tens of millions of timepieces over its near century of operation. Known for quality and reliability at accessible prices, Elgin was a pioneer in bringing precise timekeeping to the American public. By the 1920s–40s, Elgin’s wristwatches showcased the bold geometry and elegance of the Art Deco era, combining American engineering with fashionable design.

This particular piece — an Elgin Art Deco Tank with a custom Aztec/Mayan revival bracelet — embodies both the innovation of American watchmaking and the artistic influence of Latin American craftsmanship. Such bracelets, often handmade by Mexican silversmiths in the mid-20th century, were treasured souvenirs and symbols of cultural pride. The pairing of an American Elgin movement with a hand-engraved artisan bracelet makes this timepiece especially collectible, appealing to both horology enthusiasts and admirers of vintage jewelry design. A rare fusion of two traditions, it remains a wearable artifact of history.

About Second Hand Horology

At SECOND HAND HOROLOGY, we offer a curated selection of watches ranging from vintage to modern, including both brand-new and pre-owned timepieces. We’re committed to quality, accuracy, and integrity. Our listings feature:

Professional, unedited photography and clear, transparent descriptions. Every watch is thoroughly inspected and securely packaged to ensure a confident, seamless buying experience.

We also warmly invite you to visit our physical shop and explore the collection in person.

Contact Us

We appreciate you checking out our listing! Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, offers, or just to talk watches — we love what we do and enjoy connecting with fellow enthusiasts.

Thank you for your business—we truly appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again in the future!

WA-5279

Hand-curated Selection

New arrivals hit our site daily. We own every watch on the site and currently carry over 40 brands and 2500+ watches.

DISCOVER WATCHES

Chat with an expert

Question or concern? Not sure what to get? Facing Difficulties buying a Watch?! Our team is here to help!

Contact us
You have successfully subscribed!
This email has been registered
Newsletter
ico-collapse
0
Recently Viewed
Top
ic-expand
ic-cross-line-top