Hey there! My father-in-law sent this to me a couple of years ago. It belonged to his grandfather. It's an Elgin, grade 353 "Overland", 17 jewel adjusted, railroad watch. When I got it, it was missing one hand, and was needing a cleaning. It ran strong though. I bought a new pair of hands from Otto Frei, and had our village watchmaker service it. Well, it doesn't run worth beans. It runs great when on its' back, but, when it's upright, it stops. Balance staff? And I noticed just now, after photographing it, that it wouldn't start running until almost completely wound. Any ideas? Regards, Brad
http://picasaweb.google.com/11...52380808598/Watches#

Also wanted to add that the serial number is 12912384, which puts it at 1906. And, it's a lever-set. Brad

Great! Now it stops just laying flat! Gave it a twist, started up, then stopped again!

It could be just gummed up with dried oil. have you coa'd it?

May be, Jim. I'm beginning to think that my watchmaker isn't very thorough in his cleaning methods. He was supposed to overhaul it! Brad

I know I had a watch that would only run face up and thats what everyone suggested first. It ended up being a bad jewel , but I couldnt see the problem I just happened to have another parts watch handy to swap them out. But a good cleaning never hurts.

I have two of these and they are great RR watches and not very common (11000 made) but since you had it cleaned and now it doesn't run I would tend to think a trip back to the person who overhauled it so they can back their work and make it right.

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When I got it, it was missing one hand, and was needing a cleaning. It ran strong though.
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I sure wouldn't take another watch to that village blacksmith..er...watchmaker....

Brad, here is the link Jim is refering to....

Elgin Stops when Upright

Good luck with your watch....

Regards,

Jerry

Jerry, Claude, and Jim, thanks! However, I'm about as mechanically inclined as my dog. I like this watch mainly because it was my wife's great-grandfather's. I'm not really big on Elgins, I'm into Hamiltons. But, I like this one, probably due to the "Overland" moniker.I'm thinking later on down the road, a trip to Chris Abell is in order. Regards, Brad

I'm also not going to make the mistake of going back to the watchmaker here in town again. It should run like a champ after an overhaul. Regards, Brad

Brad. You have the right idea. Send it on to Chris.
That will be the end of the trouble.

Exactly Brad, it should be running like a champ. If not you should have been informed what was wrong with it. If you cant do it yourself, Chris Abell is a great choice.

Thanks Jim and Phillip, First, I've got to get my Hammies up to snuff. After that, I'll be sending the ol Elgin down to Lonestar country. I've got a Hamilton 974 movement at the village "blacksmith" as Jerry called him. Just purchased this movement from a guy on ebay, that I've never had a problem with. Was running like gangbusters when I got it. Anyway, it is in for a simple COA. Hope the thing runs when I get it back! We shall see. Regards, Brad

Hey all! I was just noticing the movement on my Elgin, and remembered a post I read a while back in the Pitfalls section. There was an Elgin shown, and someone posted that the balance cock wasn't indigenous to that watch because the engraving pattern on the cock didn't match the plates. Mine looks just like that! Was that normal for Elgin? Brad

Brad,

I don't know if it is the picture or what, but it looks like the hairspring is going over the top of the regulator arm instead of under it. It should be under and the outer coil should be between the two small brass pins under the regulator arm.

Hi Roger! After reading your post, and looking at the picture, I got out Mr. Loupe to check! It's just a reflection in the photo. I also looked under the regulator arm, and the outer hairspring is between the two pins. But thanks for bringing it to my attention. Regards, Brad

Glad it was OK Brad. If it wasn't I would have suggested you immediately retrieve your 974.

As long as you have a loupe, you might want to take a look at the hairspring in relation to the arms of the balance wheel. Make sure it is not making contact anyplace where it shouldn't. Also make sure all the coils are separated and not touching each other at any location. The smallest bit of oil on a hairspring will cause problems.

You have a very nice watch there. They are very reliable and relatively easy to repair.