Hey guys/ladies, I have this Elgin 18s,and noticed something that I don't think I have seen before. The serial number 7077207 is on the mainspring bridge. I have probably 30 or 40 other 18s Elgins,and all have it on the plate. Is this rare,or weird?

I've checked a few of mine, Cecil, and none of them are on the mainspring bridge....

I do have 2 or 3 16s that are on the mainspring bridge....

Can't answer why....

Regards,
Jerry

Cecil, Jerry
I'm not sure what to make of this, but it is unusual. Checked mine too, and none resembling the full-plate 18s, model 5 have this.

Wayne's Elgin database reports only one other Grade 172 like yours with this unusual number placement--and his database example has TWO serial numbers. Here's what he says of watch number 7032535: "one of two SN on the same watch, this on on the barrel bridge." You can see this if you go to elginwatches.org, serial number lookup page and enter g=172 where you would normally put the serial number.

In my stuff I found two much older 18s, dissimilar grades, with the number on the mainspring barrel--one is a 18s convertible, Grade 98, No. 2046362 (three-quarter plate, 7j from 1886), and the other is an early keywind Grade 69, No. 261992 (BWR, full plate, 15j from 1874).

Like Jerry's examples, I have found several 16s with this mainspring barrel number, but only the old keywind BW Raymond Elgin has this marking on a full plate movement.
John

Oops, made a mistake. Go to Wayne's database, enter your serial number, then click on "Search eBay logs for grade 172 watches." Of the 38 watches listed, one has the mainspring number like yours.
John

I have this watch listed on Ebay now,and I
am wondering if I should end the auction and keep the watch. It won't bring much on Ebay,but then it probably isn't worth much.

If you like it, Cecil, I'd suggest you keep it. It is an interesting variation.

Regards! Mark

A Nickel Movement highly damaskeened watch like this must have been all they could give to that movement. Usually if "lower end" you would see a plain gilded movement with much less finish work. I would keep it as a fine example of that workmanship.