Hi all.
Please, if you can and have a moment take a look at this cal. 57 Wheeler of 1876 according to serial (448727). I assure you that it do looks minty when you handle it. My question is is this PW simply a very lucky one, and it so is original ? You will find a lot of pictures here http://www.orologi-da-tasca.me...er-argento-1876.html
BTW, I do not know who made the case, but it's really 4 troy oz.
Thanks !
Warmest regards
Mario

It looks rather ordinary to me. Maybe in Europe you don't see as many American watches. That is a well used watch from observing the case and the dial is far from perfect. I hate to be blunt, but this is just my opinion so take it for what it's worth. Excellent photography, though.

Roger

Roger you are not blunt, and I have asked for your opinion, so thanks a lot. What surprises me is not the case, 4 oz. of silver is not and esay thing to damage badly unless you really put some force on, but tha fact that a CLOSE inspection the movement seems to have always benn treated with attention by expert people: no screwdrivers marks, all the screws in good to fair state, no stains, perfect working condition, and even good timing & power reserve. It happens (also a one year older British PW, Hepting on my site, is in very good conditions) but it's rather uncommon. It's like a lady in her late sixties with a fresh skin: true or surgeon's ability ?

Mario, The movement certainly looks well cared for. It will probably be good for another 130+ years with normal maintenance.

Roger

Has anyone else observed that there are many early Elgins out there that are in very good condition? I don't know whether it is because of the way they were made, or because there were so many of them that there were bound to be some that stood up to the test of time, but Elgins seem (to me, at least) to be very hardy watches.

Steve G.

Mario,
What a great way to display your watch in pictures. Nice job.

Thanks for the great pictures, Mario, we appreicate them as usual....and your website is super....

Steve, I agree that there seem to be many low jewel count Elgins that are in excellent condition....I have a couple that look like NOS....maybe it is because there were millions, literally, made....

Regards,
Jerry

Well, my dear friends, thanks for your kindness !
In any case, may I trow one more stone (or better, a pebble) ? I have noticed tha the survival ratio in fine conditions is very high in Walthams sold by Waltham UK, Alfred Bedford's company in London, say 1876-90. Among those, the ones with che Scottish "Strap-and-Buckle" on the back are prevailing. I suspect that Scotsmen were not stingy as the sayings go, but more conservative, even more than Britons, more likely to pass one important memory like a PW is from one generation to the next. I hope Tom could give us his most informed opinion

Great photographs Mario and a nice looking Elgin.