Elgintime Vintage Horological

Job Number 260022 - Before

The head of the case screw is broken. It was a pain to get out due in part to what looks like a bunch of glue having been applied in this area. It's not clear why. The plate screw near by also has glue on it, and in its slot.

Plenty of dirt and old grease here...

The location pin in the edge of the movement is broken off. These older 18 size movement have just one case screw and this brass pin that goes into a hole in the edge of the case. This pin will need to be drilled out and replaced.

Elgin serial number 922148 is a grade 81, 18 size, 13 jewels, made about 1882, G.M. Wheeler model.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/rq7jm5cJi7nLfwmR7

Job Number 260020

I did some straightening of the hands. You have to be extremely careful doing that with this type. Old steel is very brittle.

New/old crystal added and it's ready for a few days of testing...

Elgin serial number 378425 is a grade 20, 18 size, 15 jewels, made about 1874, H.H. Taylor model.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WRpW4aov8BaXDaX68

Job Number 260020

Tangential lever escapement...

This is one of those older 18 size Elgins with a very clever, but ultimately problematic, lever setting mechanism. There is often not enough strength is the spring to hold the ring against the cannon pinion in both directions.

It can be tricky to get one of these to work.

Notice that his grade has both stem and key winding.

Elgin serial number 378425 is a grade 20, 18 size, 15 jewels, made about 1874, H.H. Taylor model.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WRpW4aov8BaXDaX68

Job Number 260010

Cleaning up the hands...

The crystal replaced, it's now ready for a few days of testing...

Elgin serial number 20361371 is a grade 313, 16 size, 15 jewels, made about 1918.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jq8yTLH8FSSpvU6q8

Job Number 260010

The yellowed plastic crystal on this on caused corrosion on the hands. I may be able to clean this up, we'll see. Other internal parts were OK.

Old formulations of plastics did this as they also turned themselves green, yellow or even sometimes blue. Modern watch crystal replacements, that aren't glass, are plexiglass and don't have this problem.

Elgin serial number 20361371 is a grade 313, 16 size, 15 jewels, made about 1918.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jq8yTLH8FSSpvU6q8

Job Number 260018, Spade and Whip

I am occasionally asked if hands like this are not original since they don't seem to match. There's no reason to think the watch was not purchased originally with an hour and minute set like this. They came from the factory with this style, called "spade and whip".

Ready for a few days of testing...

Elgin serial number 17492696 is a grade 386, 16 size, 17 jewels, made about 1914.

Follow the album for this watch here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4mtFzgivRiupNY9DA

Wristwatch Conversions

Now and then I get an inquiry about a wristwatch conversion; a vintage pocketwatch movement in a modern wristwatch case. I used to occasionally service items like this, but I stopped long ago when I realized I'd just be replacing the balance staff every year. It's a poor use of new old stock parts the suppley of which won't last forever.

I don't want to sound harsh, I truly don't, people can do as they like with things they own. But I have to say I wish people wouldn't do this. Vintage pocketwatches and wristwatches are different. Pocketwatches were built to rest securely in a vest pocket and will not perform well swinging around on the end of an arm, to say nothing of getting broken by the first knock on the edge of a table. Vintage movements do not include features, invented later, that make practical daily use wristwatches as we think of them today.

The aside, I just don't get the appeal. Why? If you want a wristwatch, please just buy a wristwatch.

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 260022 - Before

Job Number 260020

Job Number 260020

Job Number 260010

Job Number 260010

Job Number 260018, Spade and Whip

Wristwatch Conversions

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