Can anyone tell me more about this Elgin

[alan6]

I am curious about the thick glass on the front and trying to find out more about it in general. It has some very ugly engraving on the back of a bird and a bunch of scribble but the overall watch is pretty nice and very heavy
Thanks for any help
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/Alan62/blag402.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/Alan62/blag390.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/Alan62/blag395.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/Alan62/blag394.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/Alan62/blag392.jpghttp://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/Alan62/blag385.jpg

[Don Dahlberg]

You can learn a lot about Elgin watches at the excellent site at http://elginwatches.org/

You can look up your serial number at http://elginwatches.org/databases/elgin_sn_intro.html

Your watch dates about 1882 and is a grade 81 model 1. It appears to be 13 jewels.

Yes, these old watches had very thick glass crystals. They are very difficult to replace, so don't break it. It appears to be scratched, but I suggest you live with it.

The case is silverine, one of many tradenames for a nickel-brass alloy used as a cheaper alternative to silver. Polish it up with a rouge rag and it will look great. Too bad about the frustrated artist who decorated the dust cover. Just be happy it was just the dust cover.

As with any of these vintage watches, do not run it until it is properly overhauled and cleaned by someone qualified to do vintage watches. It will cost nearly as much as the watch. You might want to read this at http://elginwatches.org/help/watch_repair.html

Don

[Running slow]

Unfortunatly they did mark up the bezel around the crystal .:bang:
:bang:

[alan6]

Thanks folks .I Did go to the Elgin sites and found much of the info but I was beginning to get confused
Thanks again for the info

Don
" It will cost nearly as much as the watch. You might want to read this at elginwatches.org/help/watch_repair.html"

Do you mean it will cost about what it is worth ? I only paid $50 for it.

[Kent]

Thanks folks .I Did go to the Elgin sites and found much of the info but I was beginning to get confused
....


If you can frame your questions, go ahead and ask. To get you started, after you look up your watch, choose "Watch Codes" from the menu in the left-hand side of the page, that's where the abbreviations are explained.

Good luck,

[alan6]

Thank You Kent

[Running slow]

I to am 1 year into collecting watches .
Quite frankly keep the watch you have as a reminder.
Instead of spending a hundred on it if you are carefull and ask questions you can pick one like it up on ebay running and in fair to good condition .
Someone destroyed a hundred year old watch by defacing it .

66 watches later I am only now starting to be selective in my type and quality of watches. I now tend toward Tobias and watches with ornate carvings on the face .
Here are two watch examples I have .One cost me lots one cost less than a good steak and a beer
#1-- I had to finance the house LOL
#2- 100 plus years old running strong and in very good condition .= 40 Canadian.
Still lots of good buys if you lok .
Don't give up soon you to will get biten.
But my advice to you is BE SELECTIVE and join a club
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/461176984_a5e50233a3.jpghttp://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/391658803_fd8c234465.jpg

[alan6]

Nice watches Running Slow
I hear ya and appreciate what your saying.
I bought the watch to set with my collection of Indian/Span Am wars artifacts and not to carry around as a working timekeeper.The horrible tragic defacing actually fits the whole thing as "trench art"So $50 is quite reasonable.I agree ,spending more to have it cleaned would probably be throwing good money after bad
I collect many things and put them together in groupings for display and this is perfect for that
Thank you all for your input

[Running slow]

Then hear is all you need


Serial Number SN Range Quanty Name Year grade size code jewels Adj/reg/etc.
-------------- -------- ------ ---- ---- ----- ---- ------ ------ ------------
1209060 1205001 5000 ? 1882 81* 18s hfg1k 13-15j ?
grade total runs first yr last yr class size code jewels Adj/name
----- ----- ----- -------- ------- ----- ---- ------ ------ ----------
81 53000 13 1874 1885 4 18s hfg1k 13-15j - GMW FRY

(*) notes on grade 81: Marked: None, GMW or FRY.
# are there really any FRY? # REG_FREE or REG_ELGIN?


Class 4: 18s HC fp

[alan6]

Thank you again Running Slow