Job Number 260018, Spade and Whip

I am occasionally asked if hands like this are not original since they don't seem to match. There's no reason to think the watch was not purchased originally with an hour and minute set like this. They came from the factory with this style, called "spade and whip".

Ready for a few days of testing...

Elgin serial number 17492696 is a grade 386,  16 size, 17 jewels, made about 1914. 

Follow the album for this watch here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4mtFzgivRiupNY9DA

Wristwatch Conversions

Now and then I get an inquiry about a wristwatch conversion; a vintage pocketwatch movement in a modern wristwatch case. I used to occasionally service items like this, but I stopped long ago when I realized I'd just be replacing the balance staff every year. It's a poor use of new old stock parts the suppley of which won't last forever.

I don't want to sound harsh, I truly don't, people can do as they like with things they own. But I have to say I wish people wouldn't do this. Vintage pocketwatches and wristwatches are different. Pocketwatches were built to rest securely in a vest pocket and will not perform well swinging around on the end of an arm, to say nothing of getting broken by the first knock on the edge of a table. Vintage movements do not include features, invented later, that make practical daily use wristwatches as we think of them today.

The aside, I just don't get the appeal. Why? If you want a wristwatch, please just buy a wristwatch.

Job Number 260018

Elgin serial number 17492696 is a grade 386,  16 size, 17 jewels, made about 1914. 

Follow the album for this watch here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4mtFzgivRiupNY9DA

New Arrival, Job Number 260018

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/4mtFzgivRiupNY9DA

Job Number 260016

Installed a replacement minute hand, now it's ready for a few days of testing...

Elgin serial number 5710475 is a grade 109, 0 size, 7 jewels, made about 1895. 

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/4956qtNvjaxj3VRn6

Job Number 260016

No problems.

So far, this is running better than these small one usually do.

Elgin serial number 5710475 is a grade 109, 0 size, 7 jewels, made about 1895. 

Follow the album for this watch here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4956qtNvjaxj3VRn6

Job Number 260014

Ready for a few days of testing...

Elgin serial number 13757977 is a grade 290, 16 size, 7 jewels, made about 1909. 

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/De91Kq2crnogZMVr6

Job Number 260014

No problems...

Elgin serial number 13757977 is a grade 290, 16 size, 7 jewels, made about 1909. 

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/De91Kq2crnogZMVr6

Job Number 260012

Getting this part cleaned up after getting that broken jewel screw out, I realized that there was also a glob of CA glue near the bridge screw. I didn't notice it before because it's clear, and because I was pretty focused on the immediate problem of the broken screw. I was afraid that glue was telling me that the bridge screw was striped, but it's not. I have no idea what the glue was all about. It came right off of course.

Ticking... 

I have no doubt the rate will be awful though. There more to do for sure.

The cannon pinion is broken. This is an uncommon part in this instance. I've been searching for one in my inventory all afternoon. No luck so far.

Elgin number 4592421 is a grade 118, 6 size, 11 jewel, made about 1892.

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/QbpEMAq8b8P2qucn8

Job Number 260012

One of the balance jewel screws was over-tightened and broke off. The body is still in the hole. The head of the screw was just sitting in there. It popped right out when I went to remove the jewels. 

I'll remove the body of the screw by removing the regulator and the hairspring stud screw, then soaking the balance bridge in a corrosive solution the will dissolve the steel but leave the brass unaffected. 

Elgin number 4592421 is a grade 118, 6 size, 11 jewel, made about 1892.

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/QbpEMAq8b8P2qucn8

Job Number 260012

At first I thought the tail of the click was broken. That would be a strange thing to break, but you see strange things sometimes. On closer examination, someone actually filed to end off. I can not imagine why that would be done. I'm replacing the part with the intact one shown here.

This click's shape, on that end, isn't critical at all to the movement's functioning. But without that little tail there's nothing to push on to let down the mainspring from the outside, for maintenance. The plate has a little hole in that spot so the ratchet can be released. 

 
Elgin number 4592421 is a grade 118, 6 size, 11 jewel, made about 1892.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QbpEMAq8b8P2qucn8

Job Number 260008

The escapement needed quite a bit of general adjustment, but it's running now for a few days of testing. It may well need more work. I'm concerned about over-banking.

Elgin number 9845149 is a 16 size, 15 jewel, grade 247, three-fingered bridge model.

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/PsMSbfAMYjLJXmfa8

Job Number 260008

The hub of the broken staff is cut down to almost nothing in the lathe.

Using the staking set, the remaining bit of the hub, now a tiny, thin washer, is broken off freeing the balance wheel.

Using a slotted punch to seat the roller table...

Reassembled...

I'm having some trouble getting the repaired assembly to work well though. Some fitting is still required. Unfortunately it got too warm in the workspace for the day. 

Elgin number 9845149 is a 16 size, 15 jewel, grade 247, three-fingered bridge model.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PsMSbfAMYjLJXmfa8

Job Number 260008

This movement is in good condition, but it will need a balance staff next. Both pivots are broken. Luckily the jewels are fine.

Elgin number 9845149 is a 16 size, 15 jewel, grade 247, three-fingered bridge model.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PsMSbfAMYjLJXmfa8

Job Number 260008

This watch has an interesting old repair visible on the click. The pin has been replaced with a brass post it looks like, and riveted down on top to hold it in place.

Elgin number 9845149 is a 16 size, 15 jewel, grade 247, three-fingered bridge model.

Follow the album for this project here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PsMSbfAMYjLJXmfa8

New Arrival, Job Number 260016

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/4956qtNvjaxj3VRn6

New Arrival, Job Number 260014

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/De91Kq2crnogZMVr6

New Arrival, Job Number 260012

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Job Number 260005

The movement was in over-banked state when it arrived, and sure enough the guard pin needed adjustment. Hopefully it's ok now, but that is one aspect of escapement adjustment that is notoriously touchy. You can never be completely sure.

Elgin number 13415400 is a grade 303, 12 size, 7 jewel movement, made about 1908.

Follow the album for this watch here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Usmv18hRqJiYM639

Before...

Here's my redo of the dial repair.