I have aquired an old Elgin pocket watch. It has a serial number of 18752994 on the movement. It also has stamped on it "seven Jewel" and "double roller" the case says DUEBER warrent 20 years 9812805.

It has a second dial at the 6 o'clock posistion

I does not run, and the large gear in the back plate is missing a screw. I think this may be the winding gear.

I am intending to carefully dismantle this watch to gain an understanding of how it works. I may even try to reassmble after I am done. If I get that far in the journy is it possible to find a new screw for the big gear.

I tried to send a photo along with this post but when I did it said the size of the message was to large and would not let me send it.

Any advice on how to add a picture to my profile as well as to how to add photo's to my posts will be appreciated.

I am not only intrested about the information on the watch but also how you got the information.

Also I have a hard time sizing the watch , I know it has to do with 1/30 of an inch but what are we measuring ? Diameter, radius thickness of what.

I know this may be to much for one post, I am looking forward to the help.

Thank you in advance .....

Hello Bob,

The information about your Elgin is among the services available here on our site...

CLICK FOR: "Technical Library, Serial Numbers and Site Links"

There you will find links to the Elgin Watch Collectors Database which is a storehouse of information. The specifics of your number 18752994 are available there...

CLICK FOR: Available Data about Elgin number 18752994

About the sizing of images, there are instructions on that and other helpful information here...

CLICK FOR: How to Photograph Your Watches and Clocks

There are references to free software that many find worthwhile for image enhancement.

Meantime, send your watch image to me at ihc185@roadrunner.com and I'll be pleased to do the needed corrections and post it for you in this topic. Likewise, you or anyone else send along the image full-size you would like to have inserted as an "avatar" which is the picture that shows by your name in all your posts to the undersigned and we'll be pleased to take care of that as well.

Learning the sizes of watch movements will come to you naturally as you handle more of them. To get you started, there is a helpful chart on page 34 of the "Complete Guide to Watches" and I recommend the guide which is an indispensable resource and available for $27.95 at PAY DUES, GET THE 2008 SHUGART WATCH GUIDE with shipping included as a service to all our IHC185 Members.

As an example, your 12-size Elgin should measure 1.566 inches or 39.78 mm in diameter.

Those are all great questions!

Lindell

thanks for all of the info and links , it will give me something to chew on for a while.

Thank you Mr. Riddle , any Idea on geting that screw ,except off of another watch?

Bob,
Looks like you have a good watch to practice with, and I sure wish I had the nerve to take one apart too. I have tried, but I just can't seem to take one apart, when I get the watch I intend to use.

I would love to know how it goes, and what you find out when you work on it. It may help me to finally get into one of the many watches I have purchased for just this kind of practice.

Looking forward to seeing what happens.

Thanks Sheila , I am a civil engineer by trade and a tinkerer from way back. I intend to dismantle it slow and easy and to document the procedure as I go , so there is some chance of putting it back togather ,if not ,I hope to learn alot in the process. Thanks for your intest.

If there is something about the watch that I don't know about to save it from being dismantled in the name of learning , let me know please.

Ya see, THAT is my problem!

I can't seem to take any of them apart. hehe

It's a standard 12s, Elgin, of no particular special value, but for me, any watch is still too facinating for me to touch. Even after years of collecting, and junk watches, I still can't manage to dig into one.

Hopefully watching your progress will help me too.

I have an old Elgin I want so much to start on, so maybe I will join you in your "tinkering"

I will have to dig it out of about 5 boxes of watch "stuffs", but I will find it.

Keep me posted how things are going, and I will let you know when I start on mine.

It encourages me to start when I see others that are brave

Bob, A couple things to help;

1. If you have any REAL Jeweler's screwdrivers use them carefully and learn to sharpen them.
2. Before pulling apart the plates dab the bearing holes with an isopropyl pad a few times to soften up the ossified fish brain oil trying to hold together the watch.
3. Take some pictures as you go along to see where you were before you are where you are at.
4. Too bad I don't go to Toledo any more for the Hobby show, I could give you a few pointers. (Of course you ain't too far away from the Riddle's!.)
5. That motor barrel wind wheel screw looks like it is missing, not broken.
6. REMEMBER, the screw holding on the other winding gear next to the big one (that is missing the screw) has (on Elgins) a LEFT HAND THREAD!

I believe the screw is lost not broken. Even though the socket looks a bit rusty, it will need to be cleaned up before I attempt to insert a screw. Thanks David for the information on the left hand screw you probably saved me much head banging and hand wringing. If there are any other gems of knowledge I would love to hear them.