New Arrival, Job Number 190166

This is another instance where an old-style plastic crystal has decade, yellowed and given off corrosive gases that have dissolved the hands. Often in such cases there will be other damage to steel parts under the dial. We'll see.

This is also a great example of a completely practical watch selection by the original buyer. It is in a low cost, plain nickel case, but it is a high-end Elgin Veritas movement, railroad grade. Also the case is a swing-out style which was required by some railroad specs. Even the plastic crystal is a practical choice. These were considered a technical improvement over glass and referred to at the time as "unbreakable" crystals.

My Grandfather once told me that the Veritas movement, one of Elgin's most expensive, cost about $85 at a time when he was making, as a skilled watchmaker, $24 a week.

New Arrival, Job Number 190153

This one will have to go out to a specialty gold smith to repair the front cover latch.

Note... If you have a pocketwatch with a front cover, always press the crown in when closing it rather than snapping it shut. Otherwise, the latch will quickly wear away the soft material of the front and soon fail to stay shut.

New Arrival, Job Number 190149

This is a Moeris (Swiss) Jack Daniels Whisky collectible from sometime in the late 1960s. I don't usually do watches like this but it's from a good customer. I took this photo with the back and dust cover off to show the detail there. The case is base metal, but quite good quality.