Elgin Grade 317 - Lever Details

The grade 317 is an 18 size movement, 15 jewels, lever-set.  This example was made about 1909.


18 size Elgin movements use one of two lever escapement styles; the "tangential" arrangement, where the lever is aligned on a tangent to the escape wheel, and the "perpendicular" arrangement.


These details show this example of the  perpendicular arrangement. 

The tangential design, also known as an English lever, is found on older models.  The old 18 size designs where Elgin's first products, and they reflect the English watches that American watchmakers were looking at, at the time.

The perpendicular design, like this one, is also referred to as a Swiss lever.  It is a more stable, improved, style, that appears later.

Find a detailed  example of the tangential design here...  Note the direction of the end of the pallet fork, that faces the balance wheel when the movement is assembled.