Elgintime Vintage Horological: December 2022

New Arrival, Job Number 230008

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tc5BigmamXPMUqUk8

Elgin Serial Number Lookup, Followup

I managed to get the old backup server updated and in place in about 24 hours. That's not bad, but now I don't have a backup server. The one that failed was about 5 years old and had been running continuously. I think it is likely a bad power supply as it does nothing at all when I try to power it on.

The PC running the database now is probably a good 15 years old at least. It hadn't been booted since 2018. It used to be the primary host.

Look up your Elgin serial numbers here:

http://home.elgintime.com/elgintime/SnumLookup

Elgin Serial Number Lookup

My Elgin movement serial number lookup database is currently offline. The server is dead. Unfortunately this may take some time to correct. The backup server has not been booted in recent memory.

New Arrival, Job Number 220092

Find the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oVJAdAonJuoSUxZU7

Job Number 220084

Here's is a grade 320 Elgin, 0 size, 7 jewels, made about 1912.

This movement's main problem was that the hairspring kinked and bent in the regulator pins. Here's a before and after of my first pass at fixing that. After this I put the assembly in the watch and made several more adjustments.

These old springs are soft and touchy. They'll kink if you breath on them. Making corrections is a delicate process, one tiny move at a time.

This is the initial pass at the repair.

Running nicely...

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UEprVQ8uP5u5ac4J9

Job Number 220082

This 18 size Elgin includes a latching cam that can lock the movement in winding mode to facilitate adjustment of the bare movement without the case. A "negative setting" movement like this goes into setting mode when removed from the case making rate adjustment problematic. These little parts are often missing from these watches.

The movement is a grade 208, 18 size, 7 jewels, made about 1900.

The first full wind after assembly broke the mainspring. Well better now than after it's sent home.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WzLnPKKbQLTfRhQD6

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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