Elgintime Vintage Horological

Job Number 260012

Finally ready for a few days of testing...

Elgin number 4592421 is a grade 118, 6 size, 11 jewel, made about 1892.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QbpEMAq8b8P2qucn8

White 2137 Sewing Machine

And now for something completely different...

We found a sewing machine sitting free on the curb yesterday. It's a White model 2137 which as far as I can determine was in production in the later 1950s and early '60s.

I have no experience with these things, but after a light surface cleaning, it was easy to determine that the motor worked. I didn't see anything obviously broken either.

Cleaned everything up... As is so often the case with items from this era is was coated in waxy brown buildup from cigarette smoke.

I used silicone grease on its single plastic pinion and white lithium grease on all the cams. I opened up all the bearings and applied regular sewing machine oil. I used some rubber restoring stuff on the belt, and then made a couple adjustments. I didn't disassemble the motor, but it does go so maybe its best left alone anyway.

As fas as I can tell, it works!

Job Number 260034

Very minor dial repair of a small chip near the 7:00... At the least it will help keep it from getting worse.

Elgin number 5110070 is a grade 73, 18 size, 7 jewels, made about 1894.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zn6AUH7SxwiDyyRi6

Job Number 260030

The remaining issue on this watch is that the setting lever sits too far inside, under the bezel, to easily be pulled out. You can catch it with a knife point or tweezers, but only barely. It's really gets in there.

This is a good time to mention that American watch companies by and large, including Elgin, did not, for the most part, manufacture pocketwatch cases. The original buyer selected this movement and the case separately. Someone at a retail store probably filed out the notch for the setting lever - a little too tall in this instance, leaving the retracted lever almost unreachable given how broad the bezel is.

Trying to come up with a work around...

Elgin serial number 6958332 is an 18 size, 7 jewel, grade 96, made about 1897.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/bm6aeqVarEpqJVGi7

Job Number 260034

This mainspring isn't broken, but I can tell this watch will need better power. I'm replacing it.

Elgin number 5110070 is a grade 73, 18 size, 7 jewels, made about 1894.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zn6AUH7SxwiDyyRi6

Job Number 260032

This took quite a lot of adjusting, but it seems to be running. It'll be tested for a few days but it's a good bet I'll have to do more work with it. Just a feeling...

Elgin number 21264278 is a grade 303, 12 size, 7 jewels, made about 1919.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/aoQ7apUpPD8NLMDt8

Job Number 260012

I finally located a cannon pinion that I think will work. The keyless works on these is quite primitive. If the tightness of the cannon pinion is too tight, the gears doing the setting operation can't stay engaged. If it is too loose, the hands slip during normal running.

This falls under the heading of they don't make them like they used to (for good reasons). Elgin improved the design a great deal on slightly later models.

I attached an old minute hand to test the cannon pinion for slipping.

Elgin number 4592421 is a grade 118, 6 size, 11 jewel, made about 1892.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QbpEMAq8b8P2qucn8

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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Job Number 260012

White 2137 Sewing Machine

Job Number 260034

Job Number 260030

Job Number 260034

Job Number 260032

Job Number 260012

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