As all of you know I don't know diddly about watches. I don't collect Elgins and to be honest I was just after the case on this one. It is not valuable and I was going to resell the movement. However after receiving the watch I think I have changed my mind.
It is a 1893 Elgin 7 jewel gilt watch. But the thing looks brand new inside and out. Running to beat the band I just need to time it so that it is a little more accurate.
The price guide has it at $50/100/180 and I got it for $66. This is mint or as near mint as you can get for a 118 year old watch. IMHO
Harry
Posts: 3858 | Location: Georgia in the USA | Registered: September 22, 2011
You'll be amazed how good a time keeper these things are when you find them in this condition.
I had one a few years ago that, like an crazy, let get away from me. It looked just like that movement, and kept time right with my 21j railroad watches. GREAT carry watch.
I still kick myself for trading it off, as it was the absolute perfect carry watch.
You did well!
Regards! Mark
Posts: 3837 | Location: Estill Springs, Tennessee, USA | Registered: December 02, 2002
It looks to be in very good condition so giving it a nice clean/oil/adjust should put it in tip-top condition. In the old days a 7 jewel watch might not raise many eyebrows but for the non-collector showing them this watch would raise more than a few eyebrows. As Mark said also an excellent wear watch since the case looks like it might be brass.
Posts: 1797 | Location: Michigan in the USA | Registered: September 19, 2009
Thank you everyone. I was and still am curious about the case. In another post I was asking if anyone new what the case markings meant. I got you responses and this is what Tom and Lindell had to say about the case.
"As Tom explained correctly the second case is a Fahys "America" which taking it a step further was their model name for a "5-Year" Rolled Gold Plate case. RGP is much thinner and prone to wear."
So if this case is only warranted for 5 years it looks like it has about 4 years 11 months and 29 days left on the warranty.
Here is the case marking.
Posts: 3858 | Location: Georgia in the USA | Registered: September 22, 2011