Its Elgin Day at my home! I thought I'd share some pics of two Elgin watches that are interesting to me. This 16s 574 is pendant set and adjusted to 5 positions.

Its a great carry watch, very accurate. And there is something to be said for not having to unscrew a bezel and yank a lever for minor corrections.

The case wear would indicate others have enjoyed this watch.

And its all Elgin. I also have a 571 signed this way.

If anyone would share their insight as to what Elgin's target buyer was for this configuration, and any other fun facts about this watch, I'd be grateful.

And this is the one that started it all. Its an Elgin B.W. Raymond 17j A5P, from 1909 I believe. This was a birthday gift from Mom.

The jeweler told her it was 15j, A3P, from 1917. Makes you wonder if she walked out with the right watch.

Guess what is in my pocket when I meet Mom for pizza?

And it did lead me to IHC185, so it truly has been the gift that keeps on giving.

Some of you may meet my Mom one day, and you'll understand why I wasted no time hunting down an identical movement and case. Luckily, the case was filled with a beautiful Hamilton 992.

yum yum

I get so tickled when I see Elgins, any Elgin.

Your BWR was made in 1909 for sure, and it was the first 16s model 15, the first Railroad patent regulator, and the first 16s motor barrel.
Grade 370

The first one, G 574, was made in 1948, a good year, for me that is.....

Very nice!

Thank Sheila, I thought there might be something unique when my post didn't draw the usual good natured jabs from Chris Abell. Needless to say, this BWR will follow me into the afterlife-or else!

I am fortunate to own several Elgins, including two Father Times, a 478, a 571, a 214 Veritas, and one I call my 'yard watch', a 575.

It's a 15j 'beater', 3 position adjustment, and REALLY looks rough, but MAN that silly old thing keeps good time.

It, too, is a pendent set and looks exactly like your 17j 574, but lower jeweled. It's REALLY beat up (even the dial was chipped in the past and someone redid the missing minute marks with a sharpie (or so it appears)), but fully functional.

It keeps time right there with my fully adjusted and running to railroad standards 992B hanging right next to it.

Regard! Mark

Mark, I've long felt Elgin watches are under appreciated. I've got an old 16s 3fb model I should also post. I'd like to see your Veritas. How about a pic?

Once I figure out the magic and wizardry of my newly acquired camera, I'll do so. Finding the time is the BIGGEST problem lately!

Regards! Mark

Mark,
A sharpie! I love it. Isn't it great when you can enjoy a watch just for what it is? I sure do.

I always thought that we sometimes underestimate just how wonderful these works of art really are, and if we consider the times in which they were created, it's even more shocking.

For pete's sake, these people didn't even have bathrooms yet!!!! well, part of that time anyway.

I have some of the most terrible, beat up, pieces of junk you have ever seen, and I get a kick out of them just by looking at them.

It makes no difference if your favorite is a High End something-or-other, or a cheap pile of mess, we can at least appreciate just how facinating and wonderful it is to see something, made so long ago, that can still stir the juices inside of us, and keep us coming back for more.

They have the ability to make you smile, when you feel that simple round object in your pocket, or when you see that certain one that you pass by, only to remember that this is the one that got me into all of this passion.

Got a hold on us? Yep! and I for one, love them all.

Here is another pair I've taken some license with. On the right is the now famous Elgin 14k 12s won right here at 185. The other, somewhat less famous, is a 16s 3fb in gold filled hinged case. It has been said the 16s was used by Bull Halsey at Midway. But only by me.

Mike

You know I have the Captain's watch that went down with the Titantic.

Tom

Thanks for the heads up. I was going after that one later this year. And wait till I post the pics of Fred Flintstone's quartz sun dial.

Tom,
I also have a Captain's watch from the Titantic. It's a 6s New York Standard. There were probably many captains for that great ship. I got mine on eBay for 10 bucks. It's funny, when I won the auction I thought I might be getting ripped off as the seller had negitive 10 feed backs. But when I received it, I knew I had the real deal, as it is a solid piece of rust. I also think it needs a new hairspring.
It will be interesting to see if any other 185ers have captain's watches from the Titantic.
Brian C.

So, Brian and Tom, are they for sale?

Mike,
Mine is not for sale. I'm going to see if Christy's will take it on consignment.
Brian C.

Her is mine that I bought directly from Leonardo DiCaprio as he was sinking under the cold water.

Is that the one I just got from you? You never mentioned it was water resistant.

Yes, Mike. All you wanted was the provenance, so you could tell those two friends if yours you knew Leonardo and just happened to be standing on that iceberg at just the right time.

Hi, everybody we are just having a little fun.

You Fiend! Am I so transparent?