June 28, 2010, 11:44
Ken KnightNational Watch Company [Elgin] Watch Case Questions
I recently acquired this “transition” watch without a case. It is a 18s KeyWind/KeySet/LeverSet watch. From what little I know about watches, this was in a hunter case with the stem at the 3 o’clock position. At least that is where the setting “hole” is located. The key hole is located at the 1 o’clock position.
I am interested in understanding more about this watch. 1.) Did the watch come with a case that provided for both functions (lever/pendent set and key set), and 2.) Does anyone have a 18s case they would be willing to sell to house the watch?
Thanks for all your help.
June 28, 2010, 11:47
Ken KnightFor as old as the movement is, the face has no hair lines, but I am not sure the second hand is original.
June 28, 2010, 13:48
David AbbeKen, that is a fairly early Grade 69 which as a 15J movement has seversl "special things" going for it;
first, the lever setting mechanism is an early, complicated and somewhat fragile mechanism of great interest to some collectors (incl me) due to it's scarcity. (Elgin re-designed this about umpteen times in the 1873-1890 period.)
second, Because it is B W Raymond grade, I am sure that it is an early Railroad grade watch. The 15 Jewel "adjusted" movment "says it all" for this early post civil war period.
The single case screw and pin locator give testimony that this is a true "transition" conversion from what was probably started as a Key Wind Key setting movment.
It can be re-cased to a stem wind hunter case of the early, Coin Silver or silveroid type. I suggest you watch the internet for an 18s coin silver or silveroid hunter cased watch and meantime hopefully someone in our group has one.
It does need to be a stem wind type case as this is only lever setting. The case will have to be drilled for the case pin on the dial plate of this movement.
July 06, 2010, 14:16
David AbbeHere is a photo showing under the dial, more at;
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...86047761/m/885100113