The Elgin 279 watch movement, produced from 1937 to 1970, had a total production of over 3.5 million units. Various chronograph mechanisms were used, often with interchangeable parts, leading to some series being manufactured with components from different calibers. The Elgin 279 had minor differences compared to the 181 model, allowing for interchangeable modified parts. Its functions included a 60-second manual-wind chronograph, with a 30 or 45-minute cam-switched mechanism. Other features comprised a sub-second hand, a tag at the 10 o'clock position, a date hand with a pusher at 9 o'clock, a month function operated by a pusher at 2:30 o'clock, and a moon phase display controlled by a pusher at 8 o'clock. The Elgin 279 movement can be classified as a chronograph with additional calendar and moon-phase display capabilities.