Elgin grade 125 no name movement ca.1893, 18s, 15J. Perfect hunter case, perfect movement,perfect dial and hands. I can't see any scratches on the movement and there are no service marks on the case.

Running but sounds weak. Probably could do with a service.

Big book says value is 75 / 125 / 265

My question is what do I do with this. I found it in a box and kept it due to it's condition. The way prices hunter cases are going today I could probably do well putting another movement in this, but should I? Or, should I keep this "height of ordinary", original watch together? It would cost more to service this watch than I would ever be able to sell it, assuming someone wants it.

People seem to be upset over parting out or scrapping higher grade watches. Is this only for the high value or do the same people feel that way about all watches? Just curious.

I like it ! SAVE !!!!

look how Clean the movement is ! it's made it this far, I vote SAVE !

A beautiful combination, Greg. Keep it together, since condition is everything.

Greg a movement that nice, even if common, should be left the way you found it excepting any needed servicing. That is just my opinion but it is hard to find even common stuff in that condition.

Only the Red Sea should be parted. Moses ain't here

I agree with keeping it together but I disagree with the assessment of "height of ordinary". If it was a 7j movement then okay but when the watch was made, a 15j watch with a micrometer regulator was pretty high end. The case is also far above ordinary. It's a very nice watch and deserves to be preserved.

quote:

Only the Red Sea should be parted. Moses ain't here

Good one David.....lol.....
I second that .....

If that watch needs only a cleaning, then the value of it far outweighs the simple maintenance we all face as collectors.

If you don't intend to carry it then put it in the safe for the next owner 50 years down the road and let him worry about cleaning and oiling.

The price guide is just the guide you can get top $ for this one just look at it all looks great on it.
Keep it as is.

Greg, I too think that one should be kept as is.It's just too nice and all original, and that is a fairly high grade adjusted movement, so it isn't a cheap clunker.That's a keeper! Regards, Ted.

Tough crowd eh Greg?

I was just wrestling with the same dilemma and my decision has been made, I am leaving my watch as is.

Save it!

How old are those pocket watches you mentioned, Greg? Just say the answer out loud to yourself three times.

Greg, watches in this condition are rare and will only get rarer, keep it all together and original. Ten years down the road you'll be glad you did.
Gary

Greg, Congratulations on your post. Just a thought, during the 1891-1893 period, Elgin recorded the manufacture of 13,000 Lever setting Grade 125 movements like yours in 7 runs through the s/n range of 4561001-5091000.

Being the Model 2 18s which is the very first production Lever setting design, further inspection of this movement may reward you with a complete, rare and beautifully executed stop works equipped going barrel. That would make it exceptionally rare indeed being that it is of the Model 2. Be very careful though with the wind and setting mechanism because having nearly more parts than the rest of the watch, it is rather fragile.

Of 50,000,000 total watches made by Elgin, this example of the grade 125 Railroad, 15 Jewel Movements represents only 3/10,000th's of Elgin's output making it is far more valuable than the vapid valuation given it by the fat book.

The original combination of the case and movement have a sale or replacement value of probably closer to $500.00 plus if in a legitimate auction. Breaking it up would be sad indeed.

Note, your watch looks to be 4689816, a verified serial number included with these descriptions can help a whole lot when studying these priceless bits of our history.

In my experience the price guide is about $100-$200 low on hunter case watches.

Never part out a watch! Some day you will run across the items you need and then it's pristine again.

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A nice pocket watch preserved in original condition for the next couple of years.

Regards
Gerald