What is the proper balance staff (number) that would fit a 16s 23j Elgin grade 540 BWR? Is it a 2532 or a 2532C?

Claude,

Elgin Staff #2532 For 16 Size B. W. Raymond 16 Size B. W. Raymond Model Factory

I would "guess" that covers the 23j.

The 2532c (I remember readings somewhere the "C" behind a parts # on an elgin staff = a oil groove) has a grooved indentation in the side of the balance shoulder.

Not sure what the big difference is between the two staffs, besides the "groove".

Hopefully, someone else knows more

My Elgin "Big Brown Looseleaf" Factory book says 2532. Need one?

Dave is this an Elgin part or after market part, I have two best-fit 2532's. The 540 was the last of the Elgin 23j grades and the only one with the BWR name engraved on it since by this time Elgin decided to drop the Veritas name. My 350 came in a a 14k wgf tophat case and this 540 was mis-cased also. So I figured I would get this one correct again, it now has a Montgomery dial and is anchored in a beautiful tophat case.

Let me know on the part and pricing?

Claude The staff I pictured for you with oil stop pivots came from the Elgin Bottle in the background that came from one of two fully stocked 6 drawer Elgin Watch Parts Cabinets I bought as part of a couple watchmakers Estates.

A cheap reliable source I use for NEW staffs and certainly the one for you to buy one is:

http://www.jewelerssupplies.com/product9296.html

Often the factory movement finisher of these higher grade watches hand-fitted both pivots to the Jewels, meaning (I have found ) that the top and bottom pivots may not even be the same size. Also the End-Play is an issue when using a good new staff. Cas-Ker staffs work well for me and at their price you can get 2 "just in case">

Email me a price for the one from the Elgin bottle at c.griffith@juno.com Since I have more than a few Elgins and since this is a nice high end watch it would be nice to have a nos staff to put back into it.

Below are some pictures. I picked this up on ebay at a good price in my opinion, it was cased wrong, dial had a missing foot, broken staff, 4th pinion second hand tip broke and missing one hub screw but other wise a very clean looking movement.

When I bought my Veritas 350, it was cased wrong, wrong dial but a beautiful movement. It was cased in a rarer Elgin "tophat" case that was wgf and 14K, most were typically 10K. So I put the 350 in a nice period correct case, along with a correct dial and had this "tophat" and dial looking for a movement. So below you can see the 540 with a "cased and timed" period correct case and dial. This is my first watch with dual zone hands so that just adds to the look.

The "tophat" case came in two versions, Elgin style 25, more ornate, and this one Elgin style 26 and each one came in the option of yellow or white gold filled in either 10K or 14K gold filled. Most that I have seen are ygf and 10K but I am not sure what the breakdown is.

Claude, I have 2 ready to send you. If you like them please make a $30.00 donation to The Douglass Addy Family Fund through PayPal Personal Payment to IHC185 at:

ihc185@roadrunner.com

Please send me your mail address and I will send them immediately first class.

message sent to your glopar address.

Here is the Veritas 350, so both watches look correct now. Well the 350 does have later bold hands but I am ok with that.

Claude, 2 staffs are in the mail as you instructed thanking you in advance for the donation.

Hey Claude, don't want to hijack this thread but is your Veritas grade 350 the one you listed here? Here

Ray, the one posted is the one I recorded for your records.