Elgintime Vintage Horological

Job Number 260040

The broken balance staff was not riveted on, or least it wasn't secure. I noticed it was loose while taking the roller parts off. The staff just pulled off, so I suppose that saves some time.

There's a two-piece double roller and the main part was very tight. I was afraid it would crack! I polish the staff body quite a bit (nice shine) and then went very slowly. It went on fine.

Sweep seconds...

New staff, now running well...

Elgin number 41758229 is a grade 581, 21 jewel 16 size, made about 1942. Military B.W. Raymond model with sweep seconds...

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iDnHiYzmAUAzjCt96

Job Number 260040

This has a broken balance staff, but also, oddly, the two-part roller table is not aligned. Not sure how that could happen...

Elgin number 41758229 is a grade 581, 21 jewel 16 size, made about 1942. Military B.W. Raymond model with sweep seconds...

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iDnHiYzmAUAzjCt96

So as not to leave any problems out (this watch is determined to have all the problems), the sleeve spring in the neck of the case was worn out. It's not broken, but is not tight enough. I replaced it.

Now the watch is finally ready for testing.

Elgin number 18167905 is a grade 294, 18 size, 7 jewels, made about 1915.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3qBXfdhjb4GRz1ws9

Job Number 260038

The roller jewel came loose, so it all had to come apart again.

It is reassembled and ticking though. We'll see how it goes.

Elgin number 18167905 is a grade 294, 18 size, 7 jewels, made about 1915.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3qBXfdhjb4GRz1ws9

Job Number 260038

A number of watches are giving me a hard time over the past week or so. Job numbers 260036 and job numbers 360012 are also bogged down.

On this one, I guess there must have been an undetectable crack in the balance pivot. The movement was left running over night but when I returned to it, the upper pivot was broken. I can't fully explain that but it has happened a couple of times before.

I know everyone is waiting. These things are a lot of work, and things move very slowly.

Replacement staff in progress...

Elgin number 18167905 is a grade 294, 18 size, 7 jewels, made about 1915.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3qBXfdhjb4GRz1ws9

Job Number 260038

This will need a fair amount of adjusting, I can tell already. Nothing is broken though.

Elgin number 18167905 is a grade 294, 18 size, 7 jewels, made about 1915.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3qBXfdhjb4GRz1ws9

Job Number 260036

Now ready for a few days of testing...

Elgin number 21877232 is a grade 291, 16 size, 7 jewels, made about 1919.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7usrg7sLGr9SzzdY7

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!

Learn about mechanical timepieces and how they work, the history of the American watch industry and especially all about the Elgin National Watch Company! Check back for new content daily.

Although this is technically a blog, the content is not generally in a time-based sequence. You can find interesting items throughout. Down the page some is an alphabetical word cloud of keywords used here. A great way to dig in is to look through those topics and click anything you find interesting. You'll see all the relevant content.

Here are a few of my favorites!

There are some large images on some posts, so that might impact your load times, bit I think you will find it worth the wait. Thanks for visiting!

Job Number 260040

Job Number 260040

Job Number 260038

Job Number 260038

Job Number 260038

Job Number 260038

Job Number 260036

Blog Archive