Can anyone help me with this interesting find I also made recently, basically I have two Elgin Stopwatches one in original box and very good condition and as you can see a gilded plates and another that NEEDS A STEM and CROWN, if anyone has one, this has a nickel movement and black gear/screws, now what can you all tell me about these two?

Chris A

P2

Chris A

P3

Chris A

P4

Chris A

P5

Chris A

Chris,
If you still need the stem and crown, e-mail me and include the watch serial number. I may have one.
Brian C.

pwpartsetc@pwatch.com

Have I got you all stumped as to why/when the different materials came into play?

Chris A

My guess would be either wartime shortages, or special production to meet some particular military specifications (perhaps for corrosion resistance).

It isn't just the Elgin stopwatches that came in the two colors shown above; their 6/0 wristwatch movements of that vintage came the same way, as did many of the military issue 16s B.W. Raymond pocket watch movements, etc.

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Steve Maddox
Past President, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas
IHC Charter Member 49