Elgin military watch - need advice please

[jjdaniel]

Hi all - I'm new to the world of vintage watches but have fallen hard for them.

One watch on my list is one from the A-11 spec. I like the clean look without the 24-hour numerals, which I gather means I'm looking for watches from the 40s and maybe 50s.

I'm not a stickler for having all original parts, but I do want the watch to look consistent (e.g., hands that match patina of the dial and/or numerals) and any replacement parts to be high-quality.

I found an Elgin online that the seller says has been recased. That doesn't bother me, but I'm wondering if maybe the hour hand has been replaced? I've asked the seller but haven't hear back yet. (UPDATE: Not surprisingly, given the age of the watch, the seller doesn't know.)

I also noticed that two of the gears in the movement (I'm still learning all the names of parts) look considerably brighter than the rest of it - I'm guessing that means they've been replaced at some point, which again doesn't bother me unless it affects the functioning of the watch.

I care more about how the watch looks and runs than its resale value - I'm collecting because I love these old watches and want to wear them. Of course, I don't want to get scammed either.

Thoughts? What other questions should I be asking?

 

[MrRoundel]

I'm not an expert on those military watches, but when comparing to images in the TM 9-1575 War Dept. Technical Manual, it looks pretty good to me. Sure, the hands might have been re-lumed, but that's not necessarily bad as the original lume would likely be of radium that would still be surprisingly radioactive. The hands look like the right shape and size to me. The regulator is in the full-speed-ahead setting, so you can probably plan on a service before daily wearing.

Even if unoriginal, the case looks really good to me, condition-wise. Many of the military cases are chromed rather than being stainless steel and are very often badly pitted and beyond practical refurbishment. The dial looks good too. Overall, if the price is reasonable, and the watch is guaranteed to at least be running, I wouldn't be afraid of it. Good luck.

 

[jjdaniel]

I'm not an expert on those military watches, but when comparing to images in the TM 9-1575 War Dept. Technical Manual, it looks pretty good to me. Sure, the hands might have been re-lumed, but that's not necessarily bad as the original lume would likely be of radium that would still be surprisingly radioactive. The hands look like the right shape and size to me. The regulator is in the full-speed-ahead setting, so you can probably plan on a service before daily wearing.

Even if unoriginal, the case looks really good to me, condition-wise. Many of the military cases are chromed rather than being stainless steel and are very often badly pitted and beyond practical refurbishment. The dial looks good too. Overall, if the price is reasonable, and the watch is guaranteed to at least be running, I wouldn't be afraid of it. Good luck.

thanks so much - this is really helpful and educational!

 

[Jack_W]

Sure, the hands might have been re-lumed, but that's not necessarily bad as the original lume would likely be of radium that would still be surprisingly radioactive.

The specifications for the A-11 watches for the Army Airforce actually call for non-luminous hands. Navy issued watches on the A-11 pattern have radium hands.

The hands on the watch the OP shows look fine and correct for an Elgin A-11. Here is my Elgin A-11: