Internet Horology Club 185
Elgin 17s restoring
April 14, 2009, 08:41
Tom BrownAmazing Fabrizio
I don't know if I have ever seen that style of movement before & a 17s. Did it come with a case?
I looked in my Elgin book to see if perhaps another models escape wheel would fit but the book shows your grade 59 as a class 15 & in the book it is the only one listed for that particular escape wheel. If it helps their original part number was 998.
Also I went to mail your Columbus pallet fork & the glass polishing compound yesterday & the post office showed me a less expensive way to send it, so I am repackaging it today & will get it off later today. The cost went from $26 to $12 in shipping & I couldn't pass it up. Sorry for the delay.
Tom
April 14, 2009, 11:49
Edward L. Parsons, Jr.Wonderful pictorial essay Fabrizio!
How did you fix the broken tooth?
Best Regards,
Ed
April 14, 2009, 12:03
Lindell V. Riddle
Great work Fabrizio,
Both the pictures and the workmanship are first-rate!
I do not recall being previously aware of 17-size Elgin Watches. If you need one, finding a case could be nearly impossible unless you might perhaps modify a 16-size. So sad that today that we are seeing a new wave of mindless greed going after our irreplaceable gold watch cases.
But on a happier note, all over the world there are good people saving these treasures!
Lindell

April 14, 2009, 18:04
Steve GossardWhat fine precision work! I am impressed.
I have a movement just like that one, but never hoped that I could ever find a case that would fit it. I suppose some 18 size cases could be fitted with a ring to size them down. Do you think?
Steve G.
April 14, 2009, 18:25
Fabrizio Di Claudioquote:
Amazing Fabrizio
I don't know if I have ever seen that style of movement before & a 17s. Did it come with a case?
I looked in my Elgin book to see if perhaps another models escape wheel would fit but the book shows your grade 59 as a class 15 & in the book it is the only one listed for that particular escape wheel. If it helps their original part number was 998.
Also I went to mail your Columbus pallet fork & the glass polishing compound yesterday & the post office showed me a less expensive way to send it, so I am repackaging it today & will get it off later today. The cost went from $26 to $12 in shipping & I couldn't pass it up. Sorry for the delay.
Tom
12$ is good! You have email. Thank you :-)
April 14, 2009, 18:28
Fabrizio Di Claudioquote:
What fine precision work! I am impressed.
I have a movement just like that one, but never hoped that I could ever find a case that would fit it. I suppose some 18 size cases could be fitted with a ring to size them down. Do you think
Thank you to all for information.

Yes i think fitted ring is Ok i like your idea.
April 14, 2009, 18:37
Fabrizio Di ClaudioI have some broken movements of american pocket watch, escapement of New Era 18s seem work good.
Removing and insert pinion of elgin on new era escapement
Running!! I not tested accuracy, but running strong
Now i look for case..
April 14, 2009, 20:54
Steve MiddlesworthWe are going to nickname you "Fabrizio the Fabulous". Very nice work and great improvising.
Steve
April 14, 2009, 21:44
Mary Ann ScottFabrizio - I am very impressed with your ability to make these movements run again! It must be so rewarding to bring them back to life.

One of my very first posts was about my 17 size Elgin T.M.Avery in a coin case marked Avery. They also made three other models in 17 size, all 7 - 15 jewels, key wind, key set. It would be interesting to see if an 18 size case could be modified to house a 17 size movement with a fitted ring. If you try, please let us know how it works out.
April 14, 2009, 21:57
Samie L. SmithFabrizo nice work it,s not easy too pivot a 4th wheel and get it true..Have you tried the micro carbite bits yet they are great ,,2 things i like about them is the carbite and the fact that they are short some of them only 1/4 inch long on the cutting part of the bit.

April 14, 2009, 23:55
Ray HallenbeckFabrizio,
Great work, it's amazing to me how you could think to adapt the New Era escapement to such a hard to source part for the 17 size Elgin...Incredible as always..
Ray
April 15, 2009, 16:41
David AbbeFabrizio, your discovery of an escape wheel from a NYS good enough to fix this mivement suggests a whole new class of listings here for "interchangeable" parts.
Again you earn the title "Fabrizio di Magnifico"!