Elgin Doctor's Watch Needs a Doctor

[MikeB]

Hi -

Well, I was winding my beautiful box hinged 16 size Elgin Doctors Watch when something went "crunch"...

I removed the dial and found that teeth had broken off of at least two wheels in the winding/setting gear train. I am a VERY amateur repair person and don't think that I can trust myself to monkey with such a fine watch.

I am worried that parts may be hard to find for this watch, and am wondering if the winding/setting gears are unique to this model or interchangable with other 16 size models. The Doctors Watch has a sweep second hand, so it differs from most models, although I am unfamiliar with the extent of these differences.

I suppose I should leave this to a professional, though, so where is a good place to send the watch for repair?

Is there a doctor in the house?
Mike

[MikeB]

Hi -

Well, I was winding my beautiful box hinged 16 size Elgin Doctors Watch when something went "crunch"...

I removed the dial and found that teeth had broken off of at least two wheels in the winding/setting gear train. I am a VERY amateur repair person and don't think that I can trust myself to monkey with such a fine watch.

I am worried that parts may be hard to find for this watch, and am wondering if the winding/setting gears are unique to this model or interchangable with other 16 size models. The Doctors Watch has a sweep second hand, so it differs from most models, although I am unfamiliar with the extent of these differences.

I suppose I should leave this to a professional, though, so where is a good place to send the watch for repair?

Is there a doctor in the house?
Mike

[Steven Mercer]

Mike

If you don't mind sending your watch out, here are a few of my recommendations.

Members of Chapter 149 (http://www.nawcc-ch-149.web-horologists.com/repair.html). I can personally vouch for Harvey Mintz, Mike Kenley and Wes Boger. They have worked on a number of my watches and they have given excellent service and are quite reasonable.

Also, here is a list of NAWCC Members Links (http://www.nawcc.org/headquarters/memlinks.htm) from the NAWCC main page. You might be able to find somebody close to you.

And, there is the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (http://www.awci.com/). They have a referral directory on their web site.

One of the members that post to this board might be able to recommend somebody in the Santa Ana, CA area.

[Kent]

You might also consider The Escapement
http://www.knology.net/~ksinger/escapement_logo_sm.jpg (http://members.aol.com/stdwatch)
Click for info.

Good luck,

[MikeB]

Since the gears are missing teeth, maybe the Doctor's Watch needs a dentist instead. Maybe I'll be quiet now.

By the way, when I removed the dial, I found that the dial was held on by a retaining ring and the dial feet had been removed. Everything looked factory done, so I am wondering if this was standard on Elgin Doctors watches. Very interesting.

Thanks for the advice. My old watch guy was abducted by aliens, so I will email the escapement.

Mike

[Tom McIntyre]

Doctor's watches and convertibles both normally have snap on dials as you describe.