Lord Elgin 25 jewel...looks to be one-piece case (monocoque)?

[Codozalator]

Hello:

I have a Lord Elgin 25 jewel self-winding. It looks like a snap back, but I am not 100% sure. The dang thing has two different surfaces, stainless and gold, for the caseback and the case. I attached a photo from chrono24 of the one I have. What do you think?. Snap or one-piece?. This may seem like a dumb question, but I want to be sure before I try removing the stem, and the listing on chrono24 does not state. Lord Elgin 25 Jewel Automatic 10k Gold Filled Vintage 1950's... for $698 for sale from a Trusted Seller on Chrono24

 

[Jim Haney]

When there are 2 different Metals the case back will pry off. You can see around the lugs where it has been pried off.

 

[Tom McIntyre]

But if you see notches for a case wrench in the back don't try to pry it off.

 

[Codozalator]

Thanks much. No, there are no notches for a case wrench, but I wanted to make sure. The back is sealed so well I can not see a seam where it snaps on. No, there is nothing around the edges to show where it has previously been pried off. This thing looks like one piece it is sealed so well.
I can not find a seam. I have a Seiko snapback tool that works pretty well, and it can't get under the back either.
By dang, a hammer will find its seam. I have just about had it with these sealed up ridiculous watches like this. Looks like they're trying to hide treasure in them or something the way they seal them up. Why not just make a nice screwback?. Keep it one design. No, not Elgin and their 20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27, 28,29,and 30 jewel watches. Some were monocoque, some snap on, and some screw down. What a**holes!
That's why I thought it was maybe a one-piece. Besides, many one-piece cases say "use 1290 wrench" on the back and this does not say that.
OK. good enough. I really appreciate the advice.

 

[Dave Haynes]

I;ve seen many Benrus and Hamilton cases that have two different metals and ARE NOT snap back cases. The design apparently was to have a steel center to address wear and a plated outer section for looks. That way having "Stainless Steel Back " without having it written. These types are usually scarred up on the back from people trying to open them.

 

[Codozalator]

Thank you much, fellas. That makes sense. On the back, It says, "10K RPG bezel, Stainless Steel Back, Waterproof"

Yes, it is the same as the one in the photo. It is tough for me to show a close-up photo without it being blurry. I need a good macro camera. I will not explain why I cannot use a cellphone. But I digress:

Anyway, I think it is indeed this Roamer-style case. I found this thread: (17) Opening a Roamer case | NAWCC Forums

If I can follow what he means, I'll try what is suggested in the thread. It'll be a miracle if it actually works for me, but wish me luck

Incidentally, the back has no marks from people trying to open it. So, it's either never been opened or it was only serviced by a professional in the past.

 

[Codozalator]

Well, I finally got time to look at the watch and remove the movement. It was running but stopped off and on and in need of a service. A date on the inside of the case shows it was serviced July 9, 1968.
Anyway, I removed the crystal. The stem has a flat notch that stuck out that the crown slips over. I turned the crown until this flat notch was perpendicular to the dial and the movement fell right out. It was quite easy. The movement is an Elgin 884. Exactly like this one:

Now, a question about removing the automatic rotor, there is a tiny dimple on top. See it there just below the rotor axle and above the balance wheel?. There is a screw to its right. It is like those you see on some setting levers that you simply push in on instead of unscrewing, is that how you remove the rotor?. If not, what is it for?. Just thought I would ask before I went any further. Any advice on removing the automatic rotor?. Any do's or don'ts?

Thanks much...this is a lot of fun!!! . A movement I have not worked on before, so I do not want to do something stupid out of ignorance.

 

[Codozalator]

I got the watch serviced and reassembled with new crystal installed. This was different. My first Roamer case. The back was stainless and the case RGP, so it looks like a snapback, but it's not!

 

[roughbarked]

bidfun-db Archive: Watch Movements: AS 1674

www.ranfft.de

 

[Codozalator]

Yep...I saw that page. Thanks. It says AS1674 on the mainplate.