January 06, 2010, 01:11
Ethan LipsigAnother Uncommon Elgin
Yesterday, I posted a series of messages about an Elgin Grade 156 I recently acquired. Athough my focus is on high grade Swiss pocket watches, I have a weakness for their US equivalents. So I recently acquired a very nice 23j Elgin Grade 190 12-size hunter movement, one of about 4,000 made.
I had Chris Abell overhaul and then -- I am confessing my sins -- put it into a very nice solid gold Roy case that formerly held a 15j Elgin 314. I had Chris move the 314 to a very nice ygf multi-colored case that formerly held a 7j Elgin 301. I contributed the Elgin 301 to Chris' spare parts collection.
Here is the Elgin 190, now -- a guilty pleasure.
January 06, 2010, 01:12
Ethan LipsigThe Elk on the other side.
January 06, 2010, 01:13
Ethan LipsigThe movement -- a big upgrade from the old 314.
January 06, 2010, 01:18
Ethan LipsigJust in case you ask, here is the Elgin 314.
January 06, 2010, 01:18
Ethan LipsigAnd here is its new home.
January 07, 2010, 21:27
Claude GriffithI remember that discussion on opinions on the switch options, both very nice looking watches in their new homes.
January 07, 2010, 22:53
Ethan LipsigThanks, Claude, and nice of you to remember. They did turn out nicely. I know purists likely are dismayed, but I rescued a Grade 190 and put it in a nice home. I doubt that anyone should shed a tear for the now-homeless 7 jewel movement, nor for the rehoused 15 jewel movement, which is still in a pretty multi-colored gold case, even if now only gold-filled.
January 08, 2010, 14:46
Claude GriffithIn 50 yrs from now no one will know, and if this happened before and a working movement was put in place of a non-working movement how would we know? Nice watches in my book no matter what the history is, I am not that much of a purist!
January 08, 2010, 16:54
Tony DukesEthan,
Beautiful cases. Thanks so much for sharing them with us.

Tony
January 08, 2010, 20:32
Edward L. Parsons, Jr.Stunning multicolor cases Ethan. Thanks for sharing.