I have a 16 size,Elgin in an original Elgin case that is stamped cased and timed by Elgin.It has a 17 jewel,574 movement,adjusted 5 positions,serial # V5797759.Elgin signed Montgomery dial.All look to be original.It is stem wind and set.My question is whether or not this would have been a"Railroad" watch?If not,why the Monty dial and the 5 position adjustment?Thanks for any enlightenment you experts can provide.Regards.Norm

When this watch was sold I don't think very many railroads approved a 17 jewel pendant set watch. The Monty dial and 5 adjustments were mainly a sales tool.
I am not an expert just an observer.
You may hear from some wiser than I.........Keith

Norman, when your watch was made in 1948, the general RR rules for newly purchased RR watches required Pendant at 12:00, Lever setting, 6 adjustments, 21 Jewels as a minimum. The Montgomery dial patent was long gone and many watchmakers freely produced 7 Jewel and up watches with that or a "numeric" equivalent, including Waltham, Elgin and the Swiss such as Monkey Wards "LeGant". You have a nice "carry" watch.

Sadly, most if not all of these watches had "elinvar" balance (hair) springs and wheels and were quite capable of running a train on time.

Thanks Kieth and David.I was wondering about the silver colored balance wheel and hairspring.And David,you are so right about the"being able to keep a train on time".On a full wind this one keeps time with my computer,almost to the second.Thanks again.Norm

What kind of mainspring are in these movements.I did a full wind on this one at 11:30 AM on the 26th and over 45 hours later it's still ticking with no sign of slowing down.I have 992 Hamiltons that run 40+ hours but never an Elgin.