Elgintime Vintage Horological: July 2026

Job Number 250135

The train wasn't moving smoothly. There was a problem with one pivot on the escape wheel that was not obvious. It must have been damaged in some way. No issue was visible but it started working fine after I burnished and polished it.

After complete assembly, the balance wheel isn't moving freely. Again, the pivots look OK, but I think the lower one is just too worn. I may have to obtain a replacement staff. It's getting hot today in the watch room, so I'll investigate this further tomorrow. This issue could be something else.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kgFqVt3rHdEYbowq7

Elgin number 37912334 is a grade 519, 15 jewel, 8/0 size, made about 1939.

For those waiting for '26 watches to begin, this one is the last '25.

New Arrival, Job Number 250135

This the last item from 2025. '26 watches will get started shortly. The backlog has been extra large this past 12 months. I have had years go over into June before but I don't think it's ever gone into July.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kgFqVt3rHdEYbowq7

Job Number 250154

Replacement crystal, now ready for a few days of testing...

Elgin serial number 9884003 is a grade 211, 16 size, 7 jewels, made about 1903.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tYGiuqGFVjF217rZ8

Job Number 250154

This one needed a jewel screw on the upper balance and a screw for the minute wheel clamp under the dial, both inexplicably missing.

Elgin serial number 9884003 is a grade 211, 16 size, 7

jewels, made about 1903.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tYGiuqGFVjF217rZ8

Job Number 250148

The cannon pinion started slipping after a few days. It's tricky to tight one of this type. It's fragile for one thing, but also if it is too tight that inner ring engaged during setting will slip. There is a very narrow range of "snug-ness" that will work.

The album for this project is here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lre7xNxQ9eTiXfSU8

Elgin serial number 3793826 is a grade 70, 18 size, 15 jewels, made about 1890. This is a B.W. Raymond model.

Job Number 250152

Running well, ready for a few days of testing...

I always enjoy these late period, thin, 12 size Elgins. They are extremely well made. Everything goes together well. In many ways they represent a perfected product.

Elgin serial number 35535731 is a grade 315, 12 size, 15 jewels, made about 1935.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6c5sG3kcLQKVoEH5A

Job Number 250152

The rate was strangely quite a bit off, but otherwise no problems so far.

Elgin serial number 35535731 is a grade 315, 12 size, 15 jewels, made about 1935.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6c5sG3kcLQKVoEH5A

Job Number 250140

Ready for a few days of testing...

Illinois number 2834773 is an A. Lincoln, model 9, 16 size, 21 jewels made about 1915.

The album for this project is here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ndPSUd1nY2sCQ5Tz5

General Updates, Jobs 250126, 250148, 250144 and 250148

I'm having quite a bit of trouble getting 250126, 250148 and 250148 to time well enough. There's been various issues getting through the testing but progress is made each day.

250144 has it's replacement balance staff and the movement ran fine over night. It will be cased up and start testing today.

There are just two more now for 2025, and then we move to the '26 watches. I am also way behind on 2026 estimates.

Job Number 250140

The replacement staff for this one arrived, and got switch in. The watch has a two-piece double roller, which always requires extra care to handle, as well as tricky adjustment.

But that done, even though the old staff wasn't completely broken, it's really running significantly better now.

Illinois number 2834773 is an A. Lincoln, model 9, 16 size, 21 jewels made about 1915.

The album for this project is here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ndPSUd1nY2sCQ5Tz5

Job Number 250148

The mainspring broke after a couple days of running. I'll change it out, then start the test cycle over.

The album for this project is here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lre7xNxQ9eTiXfSU8

Elgin serial number 3793826 is a grade 70, 18 size, 15 jewels, made about 1890. This is a B.W. Raymond model.

Job Number 250144, Formally 170169

This needed a surprising amount of rate adjustment after changing the staff. I'm not sure why, but it's in range now. I'll run it for a few days.

Elgin serial number 34060022 is a 12 size movement, 7 jewels, grade 303, made about 1933.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/IHI2qLKkuU0RMS843

Job Number 250144, Formally 170169

This one was originally in for service in 2017. It has a broken balance staff, but everything else looks fine.

Elgin serial number 34060022 is a 12 size movement, 7 jewels, grade 303, made about 1933.

Cutting away the hub of the old balance staff...

Reassembly of the balance and ticking away...

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/IHI2qLKkuU0RMS843

Do you have a vintage watch to be serviced?

Maybe I can help. Take a look here for information - specializing in Elgin, Hamilton, Waltham and other antique American makes.

http://www.elgintime.com

Elgin National
American Waltham
Rockford
Hamilton
New York Standard
Illinois Watch Company
Hampden
And Others

Jeff,
I received my grandfather's watch which you restored for me yesterday. It is gratifying to see this watch in action after many years. It has probably not been working since 1912.
R. Z.

Hi Jeff!
Thank you so much! My watch looks great! The CD is great too…again,
Thanks so much,
Anna

Hey jeff. I got the watch safe and sound and the cd today. The watch looks better than I had anticipated. Another good job again.
Steve

Thanks Jeff, I am so happy I found you for repairs on my watches.
A. T.

Hello Jeff
The watch came today works great, it`s neat to hear it run. I wonder how long its been since it ran, my great grandfather who owned the watch died in 1925. I want thank you for bringing it back to life
J. S.

Dear Jeff,
My Elgin pocket watch arrived today. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. My family will treasure it.
D. L.

Jeff,
Just a quick note to let you know the watch is back home. It is an absolute joy to see and hear it run again after all these years. It was extremely emotional for me. I remember playing with it as a small boy, and never known it to work. My father would be very proud and humbled to know it was working again. I'm sure he knows. Thank you.
S. Welsh

Jeff,
Watches look fantastic, run great. I can see why you're in high demand, you're a class act. You provide detail historical summary and preliminary review of watch prior to work, fair estimate, provide post work summary, along with high res images of watches to boot. Thanks again and will certainly share your name around.
Thanks!
D. H.

Jeff,
I received the watches today and must say I couldn't be more pleased. Thank you so much. It was wonderful to wind them up and here them tic again.
G. M.

I'm very pleased with the outcome and want to thank you for a job well done. The watch looks and runs great, and the hands you replaced are very much more in keeping with an Elgin watch of this time period.
As you might imagine, to send such a precious family heirloom all the way across the country to someone who I really didn't know, or know anything about, took a lot of faith and courage. You really measured up to my expectations.
Thanks and best wishes,
B. H.

Good Morning Jeff
I got the watch back and I'm thrilled! I really appreciate your professionalism and workmanship. It's really nice to have the watch back in working order! Especially since the local repair indicated that it couldn't be fixed! Thanks so much for everything. I'll certainly be back in touch when it needs maintenance.
M. H.

Hi Jeff –
I just received the watch you repaired for me. It’s absolutely fantastic! Thanks so much for your excellent service.
A. C.

Welcome!

Classic watches, watchmaking, antique tools, history, vintage ephemera and more!

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Elgintime Vintage Horological

Job Number 250135

New Arrival, Job Number 260036

New Arrival, Job Number 260038

New Arrival, Job Number 250135

Job Number 250154

Job Number 250154

Job Number 250148

Job Number 250152

New Arrival, Job Number 260008

New Arrival, Job Number 260047

New Arrival, Job Number 260053

New Arrival, Job Number 260045

New Arrival, Job Number 260059

Job Number 250152

Job Number 250140

General Updates, Jobs 250126, 250148, 250144 and 250148

Job Number 250140

Job Number 250148

Job Number 250144, Formally 170169

Job Number 250144, Formally 170169

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