Elgin 3 Finger Bridge Wind Indicator

Internet Horology Club 185

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March 31, 2009, 20:05

Tom Brown

Elgin 3 Finger Bridge Wind Indicator

Well I just bought this & now am nervously awaiting it's arrival.

I can find no mention of such an animal, by the serial number it is listed as grade 246 16s open face pendant set 17 jewel, but no mention of a wind indicator.

What do you all think?

Tom

March 31, 2009, 20:06

Tom Brown

Movement

March 31, 2009, 20:17

Jerry King

WOW Tom, what a great find and buy.... Do you suppose it could be the BWR that is shown on page 187 of the guide....that's the only 17j, wind indicator listed for Elgin that I could find....

That is one super looking watch and I'm glad it has found a great home....

Regards,
Jerry

March 31, 2009, 21:40

Tom Brown

Hi Jerry

That is what makes me nervous about this, it is not the BWR, it is the 3F bridge movement & they don't show a wind indicator.

Tom

March 31, 2009, 21:45

Steve Gossard

Fantastic watch! Looks like a museum piece.

Steve G.

March 31, 2009, 22:20

David Abbe

It is certianly rare. I think Elgin added the W.I. to models without always recording them as such.
Serial Number SN Range RunQty Name Year grade size code jewels Adj/reg/etc.
-------------- -------- ------ ---- ---- ----- ---- ------ ------ ------------
9193636 9193001 1000 1900 246* 16s obn7p 17j ? e
first run of grade 246; 636 of 2000 in grade

grade total runs first yr last yr class size code jewels Adj/name
----- ----- ----- -------- ------- ----- ---- ------ ------ ----------
246 2000 2 1900 1902 37 16s obn7p 17j ?

(*) notes on grade 246: bridge

Class 37: 16s OF 3/4 pend model 7
161 4000 made 17j Adj a few have solid gold escape wheels
246 2000 made bridge 17j

March 31, 2009, 23:50

Gerald Zimmermann

Tom

Great find !

Power reserve or winding indicators were special addons for different grades, made in small numbers.

They could also be made on individual watches for a fee (dial chance + 'upgrading') and those will of course never show in production files.

If you ever lift the dial for cleaning, take some photos and show us.

Regards Gerald

March 31, 2009, 23:58

Tom Brown

Thanks guys.

I had no idea you could special order wind indicators.

Unfortunately the way I have to finance my watches I will sell it after a while to get something else, oh to be wealthy.

Tom

April 01, 2009, 00:06

Bruce Stewart

Tom, As soon as you get tired of it, be sure to let me know. I love wind indicators! Pretty weird, but on this one I even like the yellow crystal...I don't think I would change a thing.

April 01, 2009, 00:30

Mary Ann Scott

Great watch, Tom. That's a beautiful movement. I think you did very well!

Gerald - thank you, too, for the information about special orders for wind indicators. Didn't know that.

April 01, 2009, 00:39

Tom Brown

Bruce, the crystal isn't yellow, it is a gold colored dial, I have seen them on a few other Elgin WI, I think they are metal.

I will post some photos when I get it.

Thanks Mary Ann

Tom

April 01, 2009, 09:18

Eric Unselt

Tom, that's one of the coolest dials I've seen. Great Buy! I'm with Bruce: if you ever get tired of it sell it here.

Does it say "Made in USA" above the seconds bit?

April 01, 2009, 09:28

Edward Kitner

Beautiful watch Tom.
Did you get it from e-bay? I think I have seen it before.

April 01, 2009, 09:45

Ernie Loga

Tom: Great looking watch. I am just learning about wind indicators and I like them.

April 01, 2009, 10:22

Tom Brown

Eric, yes it does say made in the USA on the dial.

Edward, I did get it on ebay but I don't think it was listed before, there is another Elgin wind indicator on there now with the same dial.

Tom