Hello All Im a brand new member I just bought an Elgin BWR grade 478 movement serial #31415121--21 jewels--On a full wind it only runs for 34 hrs. is this the norn or was the mainspring replace with a shorter one-what do you guys think thanks bob

Something might be amiss, either wrong or weak spring since a grade 478 wind indicator at full wind should run for at least 40 hours.

Robert,
Welcome!
Evan

Welcome aboard Rob!!

As I told you, there are a lot of people here who can help with any question there is you might have.

The best $12.00 you could ever spend!!

Regards,
Larry

Welcome aboard Bob,

The watch could also simply need a clean, oil and adjust service, typically referred to here as a COA.

Friction is the enemy of these marvelous machines.. gummy oil, fine dust in the pivots will cause friction that will drag the watch to a stop with wrap left on the main spring.

WELCOME ROB!

Rob, as others mentioned you should get more like 40 hours out of it. I'd start with a COA and go from there.

Thanks for the advice fellows-hey Larry didnt it get a COA BOB and you are right best 12 I ever spent looking forward to reading and talking

Hi Bob, That one was serviced but not by me, as I had sent it to one of my other customers here, and he then sold it back o me for a Hamilton.

Why don't you send it back to me so I can look at it and be sure. Also if it needs a main spring I can do it at the same time.

Do you still have my address?

Regards,
Larry

OK Larry it will be early next week as WE BOTH ARE GETTING POUNDED BY SNOW regards BOB

Be safe my friend!!

What's SNOW?

What is snow?

A nuisance!!

Regards,
Larry

It is always nice to have someone join that collects Elgins. The 478 is a good grade watch and very accurate timekeepers. The group is very diverse, some collect Rockfords, Elgins, Illinois Hampdens, Hamiltons, South Bend, Walthams and some that enjoy all of the old brands.

Growing up in Ohio I know what snow is and more than happy that all of that snow is going up the east coast.

Welcome Bob, there aren't too many questions that these guys can't give an answer to.

Mike and Peter, are you two holed up at Quartzsite?

Welcome to a fun and informative club!

I'm about 160 miles from it

Thanks guys for the info Now I have 1 more Elgin question-these BWR dials -were they made to fit only the 571 movement or can I put one on my 478? thanks BOB

Hi Bob,

The specially designed B. W. Raymond dials were used beginning with the 1946 introduction of the Elgin Grade 571 models and for that reason most collectors would consider them not to be appropriate for earlier watches. You will also find a stylized "dp" on most of their 1946 and later dials, that refers to "Dura-Power" which was Elgin's unbreakable mainspring, a feature found only on later watches. See the 1950 advertisement below this posting.

Your number 31415121 from 1928 would have originally had a dial without either of those markings.

Don

Thank you don u r right not appropriate regards BOB

This is a typical run of the mill grade 478 dial,you can find them with Montgomery dials but this is what most will be wearing.

Claude can you tell me what the "star" stands for?

Thank You

Regards,
Larry

Larry,
the star is a trademark that Elgin used. It means Timed by the stars. There is a thread about it here someplace, as I asked that same question a few years ago. Brad

Welome aboard Bob!

Thank you Brad.

Regards,
Larry