Ladies and Gentlemen, the question I have is the watch movement has a bit of movement or play in the case. Although the case screws appear to be tight there is a bit of movement. I recall reading somewhere that this not common in the 571 models but does happen.
is that so?
Serial # J374499
1948
Case #3056, serial #17799 circa 1950
I believe this is a 571-B

movement

movement 2

I don't know what could be causing it to be loose in the case as the two screws should "cinch" or draw it tight and that's what case screws are supposed to do. Could be that someone has over tightened the screws at some time and pulled the metal lip down and disfigured it and now it won't tighten down ??

Looks like it is as you said a 571B model. The ones not signed BW Raymond, Type A's were more rare, made from '46-'47, and only 17,000 made in total.
Then Signed BW Raymond 8 position marked Type B's were made from '47-'51, with a total of 91,000 such as yours.
Followed by signed BW Raymond 9 position Type C's from 51-'54, with a total of 63,000 made.

That's a GRAND TOTAL of 171,000 of the 571 A-B-C-s made as compared to over 525,000 Hamilton 992B's made. That makes them much harder to find than the common 992B's and especially ones in better condition.

The only thing wrong with the 571's were the detent-style stem which was a backward step in watch making for Elgin when they were trying to go a step up on Hamilton's 992B offerings, they just never came close and "didn't make the grade" [if you will]

regards,
bb

Rick, another thing that you can do is to try the screw in the movement and see if it will screw down all the way while out of the case. It should "bottom out" in that movement. I have found that many times that is a problem with people switching out the screws, for whatever reason, in these movements.

Looking at your picture, the screw on the train bridge looks like it is not seated all the way, even though that part of the case rim looks like, as Buster mentioned, that it needs to be very carefully "punched" back out to where it should be. That might help with the problem.

If that doesn't work, I have a bunch of case screws and would be glad to take a look at it for you. Those movements should have no problem as far as being nice and snug in the case.

Regards,
Larry

Hi Buster and Larry, thank you for your assessment.
Taking a closer look at the screw (16 power loupe) on the train bridge as suggested Larry, I think the head is tight to the edge (too big) and that is more than likely the problem. Greatly appreciated.

I will be picking up a couple of watches soon that were due for a COA and will have this one looked at.
Thanks Larry for your offer.

Regards
Rick

Rick - I have an Elgin 571 in a 3057 stainless steel case that had exactly the same problem, the movement had a slight amount of movement in the case. My watchmaker put a tiny 'case screw washer' (she had a little vial full of them) under each case screw head. That solved the problem.

Rick,

With all due respect I just don't like the washer ideal/trick. If the rim is bent down from someone ridiculously over tightening case screws a GOOD watchmaker will have some tools that he/she can get under the lip and raise back up, no problem.

Tim

Tim and Rick - Tim's solution is correct for a bent rim on a gold filled case which will bend much easier than a stainless steel case.

In the case of my uncarried 3057 stainless steel case, I did not suspect bending to be the problem. I suspected the case was originally manufactured slightly undersize.

The reason for my suspicion is because the case threads are undersize as well. The bezel and back for my suspect 3057 case are tricky to start due to loose threads. This same bezel and back screw on to my other Star stainless steel cases as smooth as butter.

Extending my reasoning to the case rim, I suspected that if my case thread dimensions appear to be undersize, then maybe the rim dimensions are undersize as well.

Maybe the case maker didn't zero his caliper that Monday morning or Friday afternoon.

Regardless, at this point in time, the case screw washers did the trick for me short of replacing the entire case.

BTW Tim, my lady watchmaker, with 35 years experience, is a very good watchmaker, IMHO. I have used her for ten years and 30 or so watches and she always totally impresses me with the quality of her work.

So Mr. Straub, as long as she satisfies you, that's all that matters.

Tim

Joe and Tim, thanks for your suggestions. To my untrained eye it appears both screws are seated flush with the case rim but I think the one that is on the gear train plate (as Larry alluded to) has a slightly larger screw head...or something. So perhaps different screws. In any event the movement play in the case is minimal but it is evident and will have it looked at.
The fellow I take my watches to lately is local and apprenticed watch making,etc. in Poland, Switzerland at age 16 and has been doing watch and clock repair ever since. So far seems pretty good and takes time to explain a few things when I visit. Sometimes I just nod my head as if I understand...and then he goes over it again.

The Elgin is a great timekeeper.

Thanks again gentlemen.
Regards
Rick

Rick - I suspect Tim's solution may be correct for your gold filled watch case.

You will get it sorted out, it is not rocket science.

My Elgin 571's are great time keepers as well.