Greetings all, in my quest to collect a set of model 8 and 9 3/4 plate Elgins (18 size) I recently took a punt and bought a partially complete 17 jewel GMW hunter movement (pictures follow).

Now, the 17 jewel movements are proving a little difficult to locate so I am happy to take a bit of a gamble, but what piqued my interest was the lack of plate finishing or a serial number. Is this common? What do I have here - apart from no balance assembly...?

All information gratefully absorbed.

Regards

Peter in Oz

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Peter I think you have an unfinished watch. maybe a "School Watch". Your watch shares a similar design Crown and click wheel as with the Model 8's and 9's I have had but nothing else is even close. No raised Jewel mounts, No Damaskeening at all . . . a missing Balance wheel and apparently no Serial Number*.

Is it possible the plates are Aluminum? That would make it very interesting indeed.

*Can you check the bottom of the balance cock for a number?

Hi Dave, not sure about being aluminium. The movement weighs 72.2grams as it is, but don't have any other model 9's on hand to compare it to as I am all packed up ready to move to the country next weekend.

Ditto with all my tools - all three sets of drivers are in various storage spaces around the state so can't peek under the balance either...

Regards

Peter

Isn't there normally a serial number on the front plate (under the dial)? Might be worth a look.

I have a Wheeler 17j, 6 adj. the serial # is on the front above the name and on the back towards the edge where it is stamped 17 jewels. in the recess for the balance wheel it says Elgin. It needs a hair spring and all is well. Altho I would like to keep it as it is an easy fix I may be willing to part with it. Back in the early part of the 1900's and the late 1800's factory workers could not, at their meager wage, afford a Elgin, especially an G.M. Wheeler. They were taken home a few parts at a time and of course the serial # was an unwanted item. The person running the Damaskeening was a tattle tail so they just skipped that part of the assembly. You may have a pilfered watch but it is also a very special, one of a kind watch. Just a thought.

I would probably say a "school watch" also since you don't see gold jewel settings but basically the watch is a complete movement but not the unnecessary bells and whistles.

I managed to find a set of screw drivers and removed the balance cock but there is no number underneath.

Still don't have enough tools around to check under the dial.

Regards

Peter