Job Number 180021

Here's a grade 82 Elgin, 18 size, 13 jewels, made about 1885. 

The first time I assembled this completely, in the case, the mainspring popped loose on the first wind.

Some of these 18 size Elgins are prone to the barrel cap coming loose under tension, and it has to be tightened.

Getting it apart again was a pain though because the crystal is very tight, to the point of maybe being a little too big. Fortunately, it's plastic so it can be flexed a little and the tension will hold it without adhesive. I's pretty much impossible to get the bezel off without popping the crystal out. The second time it was a little easier, but the first time it took me a good 30 minutes to get it in the bezel all the way around.

Interestingly, when I began the crystal had glue all the way around, I guess because it was actually not fully in the groove all the way around. I removed all the adhesive. It's fine without it.

The world is running out of pocketwatch crystals. Please be careful with them.