Elgintime Vintage Horological: July 2017

New Arrivals

Four nice Elgins in for routine cleaning...

Job Number 170039

Here is an Example of Elgin's grade 291, 16 size, 7 jewels, made about 1923.

This watch just got a routine service. No problems!

New Arrivals

In for service, two Elgins and a Waltham.

Job Number 170038

These first three are "before" images. There's a odd collection of old grease under the balance cock, and the dial side is pretty dirty. Inside, the train looks good - low wear and tear.

These two photos detail the lever setting mechanism (after cleaning all the parts).

Early versions of this winding arbor could be possibly assembled and installed both upside down and backwards. They improved it to make the part only go one way.

This is one area of a watch that really takes a beating in use; the ratchet wheel, click and click spring. On this one these parts look almost pristine.

See the whole album for this project here:
https://goo.gl/photos/wFgRY51Zguctg13y9

Find other horological Collections here:https://plus.google.com/104405056094644812060/palette

This is the older English style tangential pallet. This design was mostly phased out in favor of the Swiss style perpendicular design (still used today) by the 1880s or so.

The watch is Elgin's grade 309, 18 size, 7 jewels, made about 1907.

Job Number 170036

Here's a couple of "before" images of a typical Elgin 12 size movement. Loads of old grease in there... There also something really strange in one of these photos. Anyone know what?

This is what's wrong with that first image.

An actual Elgin clutch is the upper left part. The lower left is a mystery part found in this watch.

It's probably not fair to think very many people would spot this. Having done a thousand of them, I could probably disassemble a 12 size Elgin with my eyes closed though. This weird substitute part stuck out immediately.

The watch is an Elgin grade 315, 12 size, 15 jewels, made about 1925.

I have to be extra careful with this dial - no cleaning. I have seen this type of hand painted Catholic symbolism before a handful of times on watches from around this era. Same design...
See the whole album for this project here:
https://goo.gl/photos/Rx9xVCb29WKoExd88

Find more horological Collections here:
https://plus.google.com/104405056094644812060/palette

New Arrivals

In for service...

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.

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