Hello all,
I recently got into watchmaking as a hobby. I am so excited to be working on an Elgin from 1910 that I purchased from an antique store a couple weeks ago. The watch was not running but it looked in good condition. The movement seems to be all there, the dial and hands are nice and the case has no major defects that I could detect. I purchased it ($30) with the intent to try to bring it back to life. I have had some encouraging and exciting moments. The first time I reassembled the train of wheels and bridge plate took 2 hours, the second time took 20 minutes. Each new thing I do for the first time is building my confidence and desire to continue with this hobby.
As much as I love this new hobby, I am overwhelmed with the vast amount of information and expensive tools. I just spent most of my weeks watch-budget on this NAWCC membership and I am eagerly waiting my next weeks allowance while I try to prioritize the rather lengthly list of thing to acquire. My intent is to restore several pocket watches. I am starting with American pocket watches from late 1800's to early 1900's because the first watch I acquired was a running 1903 Waltham 17j grade 625 model 1899 ($55) and I just fell in love. My long term plans may include wrist watches and watches from other countries and eras. But for now it is the somewhat inexpensive American antique pocket watches that interest me most. I have been learning a lot of history, watch mechanics, and watchmaker practices in the last few weeks. My short term goals is to continue gaining knowledge, experiences, skills, tools and of course... more watches.
My main issue at this moment is with my Elgin (second watch purchased specifically for watchmaking practice) in that it needs a new mainspring. I do not yet have a micrometer, mainspring winder, or catalog to get original part information. These items are all on the list, but I fear it may take so long because I am saving for a mainspring winder. I do not entirely trust the mainspring I took out was the right size. The movement was soaked on the inside with some kind of of old dirty oil, and the main spring was not uniform or flat. I am wondering if anyone could tell me the correct part to order, or any information on the best mainspring winder. I was thinking a vintage winder. I am considering a K&D No. 128. set. It seems to offer a lot of functionality for the money as compared to the really cheap and really expensive mainspring winder sets.
Here is some of the information I got from the online pocket watch database for the Elgin, movement serial # 14373900:
1910 approx., Grade 294, Model 5, Class 106, 7 jewels, size 18s. I am not entirely sure what the Elgin movement classification categories represent either. Looking for information and advise. My most important inquiry is what size/part number of the correct mainspring for this watch?
Thank you so much whoever reads this far.
- John
I recently got into watchmaking as a hobby. I am so excited to be working on an Elgin from 1910 that I purchased from an antique store a couple weeks ago. The watch was not running but it looked in good condition. The movement seems to be all there, the dial and hands are nice and the case has no major defects that I could detect. I purchased it ($30) with the intent to try to bring it back to life. I have had some encouraging and exciting moments. The first time I reassembled the train of wheels and bridge plate took 2 hours, the second time took 20 minutes. Each new thing I do for the first time is building my confidence and desire to continue with this hobby.
As much as I love this new hobby, I am overwhelmed with the vast amount of information and expensive tools. I just spent most of my weeks watch-budget on this NAWCC membership and I am eagerly waiting my next weeks allowance while I try to prioritize the rather lengthly list of thing to acquire. My intent is to restore several pocket watches. I am starting with American pocket watches from late 1800's to early 1900's because the first watch I acquired was a running 1903 Waltham 17j grade 625 model 1899 ($55) and I just fell in love. My long term plans may include wrist watches and watches from other countries and eras. But for now it is the somewhat inexpensive American antique pocket watches that interest me most. I have been learning a lot of history, watch mechanics, and watchmaker practices in the last few weeks. My short term goals is to continue gaining knowledge, experiences, skills, tools and of course... more watches.
My main issue at this moment is with my Elgin (second watch purchased specifically for watchmaking practice) in that it needs a new mainspring. I do not yet have a micrometer, mainspring winder, or catalog to get original part information. These items are all on the list, but I fear it may take so long because I am saving for a mainspring winder. I do not entirely trust the mainspring I took out was the right size. The movement was soaked on the inside with some kind of of old dirty oil, and the main spring was not uniform or flat. I am wondering if anyone could tell me the correct part to order, or any information on the best mainspring winder. I was thinking a vintage winder. I am considering a K&D No. 128. set. It seems to offer a lot of functionality for the money as compared to the really cheap and really expensive mainspring winder sets.
Here is some of the information I got from the online pocket watch database for the Elgin, movement serial # 14373900:
1910 approx., Grade 294, Model 5, Class 106, 7 jewels, size 18s. I am not entirely sure what the Elgin movement classification categories represent either. Looking for information and advise. My most important inquiry is what size/part number of the correct mainspring for this watch?
Thank you so much whoever reads this far.
- John
