I purchased an Elgin military timer in the auction section of this site from Tom Brunton last May. When I received it, the first thing I noticed was that it left a small puddle of oil wherever I left it. This past week I took it apart to clean and oil it (properly), it was the first chronograph I took apart so when I put it back together and it actually worked, I was very happy and relieved.
I take digital photos of the watches I work on to aid me in their re-assembly so I will show the progress here.
First, notice the oil, not heavy oil but gobs of dripping oil

This was under the ratchet and crown wheels

more oil

4

Look at the puddle on top of the mainspring barrel

The dial side wasn't as bad

Back together and running perfectly, with that tiny balance wheel it has quite a beat.

The dial shows some bubbles, I'm thinking it may have been from the excessive oil.

Now, where do I find some hands ?. There were no hands on this when I purchased it.

Wow talk about excess oil there is enought there to lube hundreds of watches. Hey Ray I remember seeing a NOS dial like this I will see if I can find it for you, give me a couple days.

Thanks Rob

Opps sorry Ray I found the ones I was thinking of they are not the same. I will still keep an eye out for one though.

Rob, sorry to but in on your discussion with Ray, but I was wondering if you would like to sell some of those dials, 2 off the Black & 2 off the white, depending on price?

Best Regards,
Bila

Those are some nice dials Rob. Is there anything you don't have

Hi Ray,
It looks like your timer was only down about a 1/2 quart of oil. I have a few of those black timer dials, and they all have some kind of staining on them. I'm wondering if that's the way they aged? Maybe from having plastic crystals?

Brian, That's a possibility since they probably had plastic crystals from the factory. They sure used a heavy brass dial plate for the dial though.

Ray
I thought maybe I had a dial you could use both the two I have look just like yours. Can't find any hands.