1889 Elgin Grade 71 (variation 2) 6 size

[musicguy]

From 1878-1889 The Elgin National Watch Co highest grade and most expensive 6 size movement
was the grade 71. It was $60 in the 1887 S.F. Meyers Catalogue(thanks Ed and Kent).

The first 4000(1878-1889) are 8 size and the last 1000(1889) are 6 size.
At first glance they may look the same, but after looking at them closely there are
some very obvious differences. (******TimeAntiquarian was a big help in understanding
the Size Transition: 8s to 6s******)

This is my first 6 size watch....
It's a 1889 Elgin grade 71, Hunting, lever set (variation 2, 6s) of witch only
1000 were made.









Post som


Rob

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

Congrats! I've been keeping an eye out for these for a while. Such a nicely built and finished movement.

 

[musicguy]

This is about collecting Elgin watches but I also use this
same method to buy other watches that I like.

I can't remember when I first saw the 1887 S.F. Myers Catalogue(photos below)
but I do know that it was Kent who posted it here on the NAWCC message board
(and I do believe it's also on [ELGIN] The Elgin Watch Collectors Site).

I see a lot of watches for sale all the time but I like to find
watches that are in the 1887 S.F. Myers Catalogue and choose
which one I want to buy next. So far I have collected quite a few of them
in all sizes. Many times people(including myself) like to get watches other
people have and collect (the popular watches). Collecting by using this 1887 Catalogue and other
catalogues makes it more enjoyable for me.
Everytime someone posts a catalogue or pocketwatch newspaper add on here or ebay
I keep a copy in my files. People always want to know which watch was the best
and these catalogues give the hierarchy based on prices or Name of a
watch. I think my B.W. Raymond(Grade 27) might have been one
of the first I bought specifically because I saw it in this jobbers catalogue.



Rob

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

The nameless 18s ones, with named counterparts, are actually harder for me to find anyways. So far I've found an 82 and a 76. It is a fun way to collect these!
You posted these pages a while back and i printed them and hung them up by work table. I recently snagged another movement from this list that should be here this week.

Collecting these like this allows me to work on my repair skills, as well as complete a "set" so to say. It's gratifying. My 27 up there in my profile pic was one of the first watches I bought with more than 7 jewels! If I had to liquidate everything, I'd still hang onto that. Recase and all. Sentimentality.

Thanks for the great Elgin collecting ideas!

 

[musicguy]

Here is the last new watch I will post this year it's a real Money Pit grade 71.
It came in a altered case(much newer than the circa 1883 movement) to fit the stem of the movement(it still resides in there for now).
You can see they have drilled a set screw into the case.
The hands were mismatched(one was a moon hand from a 0s and the other moon hand was rusted), the dial had a
large chip and when I pulled the balance lucky me there was no hair spring. Luckily eBay and time and patience was a good
source for correct hands, matching dial, and hair spring(etc.). This is the last watch for the year for me and
it still needs a proper case. These are really beautiful movements and this one has a cool dial signature.





Rob

 

[Jerry Treiman]

The first 4000(1878-1889) are 8 size and the last 1000(1889) are 6 size.

Production quantities of 6-size versus 8-size are not quite so certain. My grade 71 from around 1882 (#1170462) is from a run listed by Elgin as 6-size and it does measure 6-size across the dial.

 

[musicguy]

Production quantities of 6-size versus 8-size are not quite so certain.

I agree


Rob

 

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Rob,

Thanks for the pics. These are true little beauties. I do have a question about your repair. Does the hairspring you bought have the correct style of stud? While most Elgins have pie-shaped ones the grade 71 has a round one.

Greg

 

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Jerry,

I'm surprised that yours isn't marked "Adjusted" on the balance bridge. Just another variation I guess.

On second look, is it marked "Adjusted" beneath the balance wheel?

Greg

 

[musicguy]

While most Elgins have pie-shaped ones the grade 71 has a round one.

I have the pie shape one. I will have to look at
all my spare 6s movements.

If anyone has one let me know.


Rob

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Jerry,

I'm surprised that yours isn't marked "Adjusted" on the balance bridge. Just another variation I guess.

On second look, is it marked "Adjusted" beneath the balance wheel?

Greg

Yes, they squeezed the marking in at the edge of the balance wheel recess.

 

[Rick Hufnagel]

3006970, grade 71. 6 size, 17 jewel, adjusted, lever set, raised gold settings, gold train, gold balance screws, superior finishing throughout.... It took over two years but I finally snagged one.

This is only 30 serial numbers away from the end of 71 production, thought that was kinda cool. The damaskeen pattern is certainly different from the others shown in the board.

It was an absolute joy to work on. Everything fit perfectly, the plates went right together... The finishing is well above other 6s movements I've worked on. The setting mechanism is nothing I've seen before, that's for sure.

Thanks to Mr. Haney's experience from another thread, I was able to fill the black in with minimal effort and it looks great. I'll never try to paint these again!



Anyways it's happily ticking away. This case was saved for something mighty special, and it doesn't get much better than this for an Elgin of this size and age. It's a gorgeous W&Co gold filled case (wadsworth).


Happy days when you can check one off of the "must find" list. Have a good day!

 

[pmwas]

I also have a 71




Beautiful movement

 

[musicguy]

Great watches Pmwas and Rick but if you have
one I don't have to tell you how really nice they are in your
own hand!



Rob

 

[John Pavlik]

This is an example of the grade 71 in 8 size.. It is from the first run of that grade.. A few spots on the movement but it runs great...