Elgintime Vintage Horological: May 2022

Job Number 220023

Now there's an odd way for a screw head to be broken. It will get replaced.

This movement is an Elgin grade 290, 16 size, 7 jewels, made about 1904.

The movement cleaned up well and is running nicely.

It's nice to see one of these inlay dials in a 16 size, they're not common in larger sizes. Also it's in almost perfect condition. These crack and chip easily.

Recased, replacement crystal installed, it's now ready for a few days of testing.

See the entire album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ribVhZbJebQMP9Uw9

Job Number 220016

This watch was returned to me. The dial has somehow lifted up causing the setting lever to retract fully under the dial, and popping the second hand off. Fortunately the second hand was not lost.

All I can to is set the dial back in place and snug the screws again. Nothing is broken.

The album for this project is here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uPCp4erae19SGjQP9

I worked on this one in 2015. It had stopped running, but everything is fine. It's clean, nothing is broken, the mainspring is ok. I did a quick "oil change", and hand cleaning of the escapement (wheel, pallet and balance) and cleaned the balance jewels. Now it running fine, or seems to be. I'd prefer to actually find something wrong and fix it in cases like this.

Formerly job number 150273.

See the album for this project here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3PMabHetbaxqCj2RA

New Arrival, Job Number 220033, Formerly 150273

I worked on this one in 2015. It's stopped, looks like just old oil. I started using a better (ie more expensive) oil since then.

Formerly job number 150273.

See the album for this project here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3PMabHetbaxqCj2RA

Job Number 220025

This big screw holds a lever that allows the movement to switch between winding to setting modes. Every now and then I run into one that has the head broken off. Every now and then I run into one that is insanely tight, such as this one. It actually took me awhile to get this screw out.

Why is this? Because someone turned it the wrong way, with a lot of force. Because this screw is "left handed". It tightens and loosens the opposite way of usual screws. There's a good reason for that.

There's a small amount of rust, but it cleaned up fine. No issues with this one.

There was a rather large beat error, but otherwise it's good. I hope the hairspring collet isn't loose. We'll see how it goes.

Ready for a few days of testing... There shouldn't be any trouble.

The album for this project is here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fme6k6DWSPVybmV99

This movement is a grade 336 Elgin, 18 size, 17 jewels, made about 1921.

Job Number 220018

Here's a is a grade 290 Elgin, 16 size, 7 jewels, made about 1908. There's a small amount of rust on this one, but it should clean up fine.

Bent minute hand... This watch seems to have been knocking around for awhile with its crystal missing. We'll come back to this issue later.

I swapped a couple of timing screws to get the rate inline and it looks like it will be much better than most, so far, on the machine at least.

See the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PXNHijmrKWncgYna8

New crystal in place, now it's ready for a few days of testing...

Job Number 220021, Hampden General Stark

Here's a nice Hampden Watch Company, General Stark, model 4, 16 size, 17 jewels made about 1906.

It's quite a decorative movement.

As is usually the case the fingered bridge over the 4th and escape is actually one part, although the two screws are real. This type of bridge is just a matter of style.

On the dial side, it's a little tricky to get all the wheels and the spring placed during assembly, but it's not the most awkward design I've seen for lever-setting.

This is one of those movements where one of the screws for the pallet bridge is directly under the center wheel. This one isn't the most awkward I've seen though. There's plenty of room in there.

See the album for this project here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fpwJzP9j2pGcfdEM9

Elgin Serial Number Database Status

Just FYI, my Elgin serial number site at home.elgintime.com will be down for a couple of days due to a major plumbing project. General watch work is impacted too, there's just a lot going on....

I should be able to take the opportunity to do some updates however, when it's all setup again.

Job Number 220020

This Elgin is a grade 117, 6 size, 7 jewels, made about 1894.

A new mainspring is definitely called for.

And the winner of the most annoying component of a stem-setting design once again goes to Elgin! There's just no easy way to assemble it. This part is a pain.

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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Elgintime Vintage Horological

Job Number 220023

Job Number 220016

Job Numbers 220033

New Arrival, Job Number 220035

New Arrival, Job Number 220031

New Arrival, Job Number 220029