Another Creative Watch Fix

Here's a different solution to the problem of a pin missing from the movement on an old style Elgin 18 size watch.


This type of watch has, normally, one case screw on one side and a pin on the other that fits into a hole in the case. On this watch the pin is long broken off. Long, long ago a watchmaker placed a case washer on the screw, which would not normally be needed but it makes the screw tighter, and on one of the plate screws there is a flat piece of steel, crudely formed, acting as a second washer. The movement isn't very secure, but it is at least prevented from falling out.

I could have replaced the pin in the plate, but this is the sort of vintage "repair" I like to leave intact on an old watch. It's part of the history and character of the old pieces.