I have an opportunity to purchase an Elgin 181 21J in very nice condition. I am having trouble finding info on this grade beyond what is in the database but Shugart's doesn't list it as railroad approved.

Is this because it is not adjusted to the correct number of positions? Does anyone know?

Thanks

Rick

Rick, The Elgin 181 is listed by Roy Ehrhardt's book as RR* grade in the "regular production" grade listings. The asterisk denotes that it was an under 10,000 production watch. In that separate listing, Roy also details the 5 production runs of the 6,000 serial#'s assigned for this fine watch.

You have a real bargain for $150.00. Show some pictures when it "comes in".

Thanks, this one is in great conditon. This close to Christmas it is tough to justify but we will see. My guess is I can get it for more than the 150, more like 200 but I think it is probably still a good deal. Now I need to talk myself into it.

Rick

Richard with final production started in 1899, the Elgin Grade 181 was the last RR Grade model 7 made. 1900 marked Elgin's first production of the Model 8 exposed winding wheel design which was considered by many to be the finest 18 size timepiece ever produced in the world. Some would argue the Waltham 1892 model should share that respect, and it does, yet Elgin claimed theirs was the most accurate, serviceable, and durable model ever built. Few would take issue with that claim.

So the model 181 could be considered the culmination of all Elgin had learned about making the exposed Balance wheel style the right way too! Make it your Christmas present to yourself!

A 1907 vintage Model 8 Mvt Recorded inside the back the cover as serviced and used for Lehigh Valley RR for about 35 years.

The Model 7 181 style Mvt looks much simpler, and with the full plate design takes a little more time to service.

I have a site access problem so I cannot delete the "fuzzy picture, but you get the idea. The model 8 dial is also interesting as the watchmaker (at the request of the LVRR user) added a second Hour Hand very cleverly, byt boring it out and fitting it over the mounting collar for the original Hour Hand. Nifty job, and noted on the back plate as done in 1910.

Very nice, maybe one of the first dual time zone watches?

Rick

If you want some more insight into how the time zones finally came into practice, it is mentioned in my Great Gradfather's bio at;
http://www.history.noaa.gov/giants/abbe.html
You might enjoy the read.

I see that Wayne's site says there were only 6000 made of grade 181!

http://elginwatches.org/cgi-bin/elgin_sn?sn=G%3D181

I might add here that the Elgin 21 Jewel, Grade 181 is a class 65 movement, sharing that honor with Father Time 21 Jewel Class 65 movements which suggests very strongly that this is RR Grade