I was gonna hold my breath til this came in but discovered that I may not survive that so I am just waiting to celebrate if this Elgin S/N 14866852 is what it looks like instead of what it was advertised to be (with "2 seconds hands")

Dave, that is one kool looking watch....

It's for sure, I have never seen anything like it....

Hope it's all you expect it to be....

Regards
Jerry

Is that a 40 hour wind indicator?

Steve

Looks like it to me, Steve.

Regards! Mark

quote:

14866852

Dave, this is the first Grade 240 with wind indicator I've seen. Plus, everything looks to be in great, correct shape. The 240 is my favorite Elgin, with that unusual 18s size combined with three-quarter 19j movement, but none of mine are this nice. Great dial. A true railroad watch, in the same class with Father Time and Veritas in my opinion. I'm glad you got this.

Dave - if those are the auction pictures, then I think you got yourself a beautiful, uncommon watch! Please let us know when it arrives if it is a described.

Dave, beautiful watch! Here is a picture of one I bought last year. Serial number is 14,814,264.

And here is the dial.

It got here. Unbelievable. I have been waiting for some time to get one like this!

Any suggestions how to brighten up the dial without messing up the markings?

Nice movement, in the first 39 hours it gained 18 seconds! Needs cleaning! Looks like the wind set wheel goes right through the "19 Jewels" marking!

Now comes the time to figure out how to disassemble and clean this very complex duplex wheel system that winds the indicator up from the winding wheel and unwinds it from the motor (1st) wheel.

Well . . . at least it is here, so all is well that ends well (so far )

David,

That's a good one. High grade Elgin movements are by far the most ornate of all the American brands. Really beautiful example! Excellent maximum size balance wheel with those huge gold screws...there you have a fine watch!

William

David,

Congratulations on that find. Yours has the metal dial that is uncommon to find with the original finish intact. Those dials were impregnated with silver and were claimed to be more visible. I doubt it could be duplicated today so it should be treated with care. Bruce's watch has a porcelain dial with an identical design showing they are both from the same time period.

It is nice to see these fine 19 Jewel watches getting the attention they deserve.

Don

David, first of all CONGRATULATIONS!!

Once the 'new' wears off, you can mail it on over to me. I'll email my address later.

Second, if I recall correctly from my reading, Elgin offered the service of changing existing BWR's to W.I.'s for a price. If the gear is drilled through the engraved '19', I'd say what you have is one that had this service performed after the watch had been purchased in a standard BWR configuration. The 240 grade 19j BWR made up almost 1/2 of all 18s 3/4 plate movements Elgin ever produced.

Either way, it's one to definitely treasure.

These big old 18s high jewel railroad Elgins are just wonderful timepieces, and accurate as the dickens....one of those watches that just make you smile anytime you pull them out to check the time....at least mine do.

HIGH regards! Mark

David,
Well, you can take a breath now. You have a very fine and desirable watch. Show it to us when you get it cleaned up.
I was at a large gun show this past January and a junkie dealer had a non-working Waltham Vanguard WI. The price was very reasonable but I didn't take it at the time. I walked around looking for a while then decided to go back and take another look at the watch, it was gone! I can still kick myself for not getting it when I had the opportunity.

David Nice watch All of these i have seen had the pinion going thriugh the 19 or 21 jewel marking.I belive they were all that way..

Nice find.

David you got a nice elgin.Good catch did you get that on ebay if so there are still deals to be had if you look hard anough.I used to but I don't look as mutch as I use to.One of the wind indiacator's I have I got it that way all it said was vanguard nothing about it being a wind indicator I saw the dial and that why I bid on it sure anough a wind indicator when I got it.I also like the case on yours.

Yes Mike it was on eBay at;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...IT&item=190292385554

Excellent buy, David! And a beauty, too! I know you are very proud of your new addition.

Will you look at the GOLD on that baby!!!!!

She's a honey, Congratulations!

Ever since I learned about the WI I have tried to purchase one, but boy have they gone up in price!

You got yourself a great deal!!! WOW!!!

Well there's not a lot that has not been said Dave but I would like to offer my congratulations on your newest arrival....It certainly is a beautiful watch and one that you will treasure for some time, I'm sure....That one would be a welcome addition to any collection and we all know that it has found one of the best homes possible....

Way to go....

Regards,
Jerry