I just received a particularly interesting Elgin 16s BWR. Very worn out looking, would be scorned by many of the "collectors" I know, "cause it's just too wore out looking". . .

As with all watches that are still running, I put it on Mumford, and it has 1.0 - 1.6 ms beat error . . . Hmmm pretty good, timing error . . . +/-0.2 - 1.6 sec/day! So I open up the well brassed-out back case cover . .

David,
You are a care taker/////
Tony

. . . and lo and behold there is a nice looking movement, good motion, but I knew that from Mumford, but what is all that stuff on the inside back cover?

So I look up close . . . here's 14 of the 28 marks all ending in "-T". Notice also the inscrption about a re-staffing

So here's a watch I love that's "too worn out to be a collectable" . . . I love it! It has a whole lifetime of Railroad stories to tell. It's owner loved it too as he carried it all through his career as a Railman. Now I feel only qualified to be it's caretaker, not owner, not "collector"! This watch already has a rightful owner, who after carrying this from 1922 through the WWII and afterwards, has passed this on and so it has found its way to me to care for it as homage to the owner's contributions to our lives and country. I am proud to do that. It has many other "tired old friends" here to keep it company.

David,
You are the keeper.
Tony

Yes,a very nice story Dave. We know this fine watch now has another good home, albeit temporary as are we all.

David,

I feel the same way about the few watches I have. I really like things that have "character".

Thank you for sharing this story.

Bob

Great post David,
I also like the watches with Character and the "Invar Balance" marked dial on this one.
Ray

Thank you for understanding. I hope there are more who share this feeling about some parts of our "collections". In researching this s/n25595842 watch all things fall together better for the significant details I noticed. This is the first run of 21,000 s/n's assigned to Grade 472 Elgin watches marked "Invar Balance" on the dial! I also confirmed the strangely cut Balance wheel which by virtue of the invar material has the cut made well away from the cross arm affording less temperature compensation needed for the Invar wheel material. The carbon dust soaked dial, is therefore original to the movement, and surely the case is too with the RR service markings. I may clean and renovate the dial some for simple appearance's sake.
Further, the watchmaker who "usually" worked on this piece must have been a real master, as the watch to this day is running so accurately and with the regulator still set in the middle of the adjustment range. That makes me almost fearful to touch it for purposes of cleaning. I expect the more recent services used a very good lube like 56b or equivalent, as otherwise it would not be running at all.

Dave,when a man talks like that he's won my trust.

David,

Add me to the list of those who share your feelings!

Joe Straub

Dave,
This is exactly the reason that I enjoy handling and repairing these kind of watches. studying the "character" is what I do when I first receive a watch, even if I don't know the story behind it.

Thanks for this story,
Joel

hi it would be so cool if these old watches could talk and tell who they have been with and where theve been.and as far as the care taker thing it is said by philippe stern you never actually own a patek philippe,you merely look after it for the next generation.i think this is true for all old watches.

Wow, I'm in the right place. I'm "caring" for a couple of watches now. I Ebayed a 19j BWR, very good condition. The seller neglected to verify that the pictures displayed. I even offered to amend the price, which I thought obscenely low. The seller would have none of it, said I should enjoy the watch. I do. Almost the same situation with a 972, great shape. I chalk it up to beginners luck. But an elite collector probably wouldn't bend to pickup either one. Really sad, this goes so far beyond money. Its our heritage, and we must protect and cherish it. Can you imagine the surprise a European collector must feel the first time, looking at the fine detail of one of these beautiful little machines? Maybe I better stop right here..

Did I forget to mention I am in the market for a nice BWR 16s? Do you folks read my mind or are we simply sharing?

Mike-I'll email you-Marty

Marty,

Thanks anyway. I saw this, short time left and couldn't resist.

And this is under the hood...

Sorry-didn't check pic. This one is better.

If this really is legit, has anyone updated the Elgin database before? It has this 571 listed as A5P or A6P. Nine adjustments? Not even when I was young!