A. I've wanted an "Elgin Original Material Case" for some time. Recently I was able to obtain one that fit my requirements. The requirements were the following:
1. CHEAP (relative) - The prices for beat up ones are insane, even with no parts. IF they have some parts, the prices are even worse. IN MY EXPERIENCE, the parts in a lot of these vials are covered in surface rust or worse. This detracts from the actual value assumed for these kits or single vials.
2. Had to be one of the first Gen versions (*see more info below regarding what I have been able to piece together regarding different generations of this case)
3. If possible, it had to have the "add on" option. Until recently, this was hypothetical. As I had only seen single vials and some left over pieces that hinted that there was a possible "true" fourth drawer. (some of the Elgin Original Material Cases had a fourth drawer that was similar to the third "mainspring" drawer on the first Gen.)
B. What I learned from the research I've put into the "Elgin Original Material Case" - FULL DISCLOSURE: This was done using limited original Elgin documentation, and LOTS of auctions from the past decade. **At this point, these are assumptions based on the limited information that I have available:
The biggest bit of information came from the PWDB, from an Elgin Service Bulletin c.1940. It provided the following key points:
1. The "Elgin Original Material Case" was first made available in 1927
2. By the time of publication of said bulletin (c.1940) Elgin had produced OVER 18,000 of these cases
3. The case contained at least ONE of each part listed, with SOME parts having duplicates
4. It gave a price for the kit and a retail cost for the parts included:
a. The cost of the parts in the kit (c.1940 RETAIL) exceeded $100.00 (used two different inflation calculators, in 2021 dollars it puts the value of the parts between $1849.00 and $1956.00)
b. The case was available at a discount from Authorized dealers for $50.00, including the storage containers and wooden case ( this would be between $924.50 and $978.00 in 2021)
5.*The original 1927 Case consisted of THREE TIERS, HOWEVER there was also an OPTIONAL fourth Tier available
a. Tier 1 - Balance Staffs and Jewels - Bottles 1-140
b. Tier 2 - Hands and Screws - Bottles 141- 280
c. Tier 3 - Mainsprings - Slots 281-300
d. Tier 4 - OPTIONAL - Bottles 301-449 - This covers, Screws Banking, Screws Barrel Bridge, Screws Case, Screw and Clamp, Screws Stud Hair Spring, Screws Main Wheel, Screws Ratchet Wheel, Clicks, Clicks Exposed Winding, Springs Click, Clutches Windings and Settings, Jewels Balance Cap Upper, Jewels Balance Cap Lower, Pinions Bevel, Pinions Cannon, Pinions Cannon Short, Levers Setting, Springs Setting, Wheels Main, Wheels Main Exposed, Wheels Ratchet, Wheels Ratchet Exposed.
The information above is from MY SET, with ALL index cards "INTACT". I have seen these numbered in the 2000 serial number range. My case is in the low 2K. I place it in the 1927-1928 range of production.
6. **This is what I call the "Second Gen" case. It consisted of FOUR TIERS and it is shown in the c.1940 Elgin Technical Bulletin as a crude drawing.
a. Tier 1 - -The following is ASSUMED : Balance Staffs and Jewels - Bottles 1-140
b. Tier 2 - -The following is ASSUMED : Hands and Screws - Bottles 141- 280
c. Tier 3 - -The following is ASSUMED : Mainsprings - Slots 281-300
d. Tier 4 - Similar to tier 3 (with slots for parts etc., but not angled. Wood is set straight)
From the pictures that I have been able to find about this kit, most of the Index Cards are damaged or missing. So limited information available from what I have seen. I have seen these in the low 4K serial number range
7.**This is what I call the "Third Gen" Case. This are in metal and made to look like "wood". Limited information on this, have only seen a few pictures and no index card or layout information. These also seem to lack a serial number plate (I suspect they are missing)
A lot of other variations on the "Elgin Original Material Case", however the others I have found pertained more to wrist watches and NOT pocket watches.
Serial number ranges are estimates. As more information is made available, I will adjust the serial number range.
1. CHEAP (relative) - The prices for beat up ones are insane, even with no parts. IF they have some parts, the prices are even worse. IN MY EXPERIENCE, the parts in a lot of these vials are covered in surface rust or worse. This detracts from the actual value assumed for these kits or single vials.
2. Had to be one of the first Gen versions (*see more info below regarding what I have been able to piece together regarding different generations of this case)
3. If possible, it had to have the "add on" option. Until recently, this was hypothetical. As I had only seen single vials and some left over pieces that hinted that there was a possible "true" fourth drawer. (some of the Elgin Original Material Cases had a fourth drawer that was similar to the third "mainspring" drawer on the first Gen.)
B. What I learned from the research I've put into the "Elgin Original Material Case" - FULL DISCLOSURE: This was done using limited original Elgin documentation, and LOTS of auctions from the past decade. **At this point, these are assumptions based on the limited information that I have available:
The biggest bit of information came from the PWDB, from an Elgin Service Bulletin c.1940. It provided the following key points:
1. The "Elgin Original Material Case" was first made available in 1927
2. By the time of publication of said bulletin (c.1940) Elgin had produced OVER 18,000 of these cases
3. The case contained at least ONE of each part listed, with SOME parts having duplicates
4. It gave a price for the kit and a retail cost for the parts included:
a. The cost of the parts in the kit (c.1940 RETAIL) exceeded $100.00 (used two different inflation calculators, in 2021 dollars it puts the value of the parts between $1849.00 and $1956.00)
b. The case was available at a discount from Authorized dealers for $50.00, including the storage containers and wooden case ( this would be between $924.50 and $978.00 in 2021)
5.*The original 1927 Case consisted of THREE TIERS, HOWEVER there was also an OPTIONAL fourth Tier available
a. Tier 1 - Balance Staffs and Jewels - Bottles 1-140
b. Tier 2 - Hands and Screws - Bottles 141- 280
c. Tier 3 - Mainsprings - Slots 281-300
d. Tier 4 - OPTIONAL - Bottles 301-449 - This covers, Screws Banking, Screws Barrel Bridge, Screws Case, Screw and Clamp, Screws Stud Hair Spring, Screws Main Wheel, Screws Ratchet Wheel, Clicks, Clicks Exposed Winding, Springs Click, Clutches Windings and Settings, Jewels Balance Cap Upper, Jewels Balance Cap Lower, Pinions Bevel, Pinions Cannon, Pinions Cannon Short, Levers Setting, Springs Setting, Wheels Main, Wheels Main Exposed, Wheels Ratchet, Wheels Ratchet Exposed.
The information above is from MY SET, with ALL index cards "INTACT". I have seen these numbered in the 2000 serial number range. My case is in the low 2K. I place it in the 1927-1928 range of production.
6. **This is what I call the "Second Gen" case. It consisted of FOUR TIERS and it is shown in the c.1940 Elgin Technical Bulletin as a crude drawing.
a. Tier 1 - -The following is ASSUMED : Balance Staffs and Jewels - Bottles 1-140
b. Tier 2 - -The following is ASSUMED : Hands and Screws - Bottles 141- 280
c. Tier 3 - -The following is ASSUMED : Mainsprings - Slots 281-300
d. Tier 4 - Similar to tier 3 (with slots for parts etc., but not angled. Wood is set straight)
From the pictures that I have been able to find about this kit, most of the Index Cards are damaged or missing. So limited information available from what I have seen. I have seen these in the low 4K serial number range
7.**This is what I call the "Third Gen" Case. This are in metal and made to look like "wood". Limited information on this, have only seen a few pictures and no index card or layout information. These also seem to lack a serial number plate (I suspect they are missing)
A lot of other variations on the "Elgin Original Material Case", however the others I have found pertained more to wrist watches and NOT pocket watches.
Serial number ranges are estimates. As more information is made available, I will adjust the serial number range.
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