Hi all, I'm still trying to figure out how to balance competing data available to me.

Serial Number 12121878

The Fat Book (thanks for not calling it the Big Book)... says this watch is a two star watch.

But when I run it through the "Pocket Watch" data base, it comes back as a common Model 6 G214 with a 1906 production run of 1000 but a gross of 48 runs for 62,900 total units.

I'd love to hear from anyone who might have access to better production run data.

Thanks a mil,

Paul

This question came up recently in this thread. Perhaps you missed it.

I don't get it. And I'm with Peter. Same watch right down the line as best I can tell.

The book doesn't call out GT for this watch. It calls out GT for the 5p versions.

And other than gold fill on the engraving, what is the difference between this watch and the 243?

The good news is that this is a very low mileage watch in dirty but otherwise excellent condition. The case is near mint. It will be a nice watch to have around either way.

I'm with you Paul I love those 3 fingers.

All that I can say is that the star system is based on how scarce an item is.
62,900 watches is a large production. Which in turn means Not hard to find.
The fat book would have to be 2 times fatter. To even try to put every variation, and production number in to. I use it at as a guide.

So think how hard it would be to understand or even locate the watch you where trying to find.

I think she would be to Fat for me me me.

Watches that on my list to buy. I keep tabs on there going value. Not book value. To try to make sure I don't pay to much far. Elgins and Walthams are not high on my list that I'm trying to locate. But I do have a few of them though.

But If I seen the watch you are talking about at a walk in auction in a decent case with a Nice double sunk dial. I would value it [retail] at $125 to $150.


I also think it is very hard to make sense of value in the FAT book on a lot of entries. One more reason I'm happy I spend that 100 pennies a month to help sort out the confusion.

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...s/a/frm/f/1386019371


I think I gave a 16sz Elgin 17 Jewel 3 Finger Bridge marked adjusted. Non Hunter. With the stipulation, he could have for free if he put a staff in it. Of coarse he accepted.

I looked over the photo of your watch. A tell tale sign as a High production, lower quality watch.
The plates are to plain. Low production watches high value watch from that age have fancy plates.

When I first started collecting I remember buying a 3 finger Elgin marked adjusted 17 jewel.
Just to find out it was not as rare a watch as the book described. I think ebay was up and running. But I was not on the internet yet.

The main thing about the watch you are describing is, If you like it than keep it, enjoy it. If not move it down the road to some one who will.

I don't think the price guide describes in enough detail to make a correct decision on what they are talking about. Elgin original made the 3/4 155 hunter and the 161 OF 6000/4000 which are extremely high grade 17j movements. Later Elgin made the same movement in the 3 finger bridge movement in the 243 hunter and the 246 OF 4000/2000. Elgin later made a 17 jewel 3 finger hunter 341 marked BWR (2000 made)and that is the one they show to be a 2 star. This one is sometimes found with adj5p markings on it but only for the later ones the earlier ones are not marked adj5p. I posted my 341 with the adj5p markings and Ethan posted his 243 and both in my book are probably of equal quality, with the 155/161 probably being the best since some of those had a gold escape wheel but these were not 3 finger bridge movements.

Gene - I believe I have the watch you're referring to. I did put a staff in it and I got it running fairly well.

It's a grade 382 made in 1917. One of 51,600 total according to the pocketwatch database.

I think they under value those 3 fingers watches
here my 3 fingers

It is confusing. I have a Hamilton 948 that is listed as a 1 star, actual production 1,500. Why is an Elgin with 2000 produced a 2 star? Maybe I misunderstand your post Claude. I too have several 3 finger Elgins but it appears to me the only really valuable ones (read, scarce) are the 341s.

Peter, you have some nice stuff. When I get back to your area let's get a "bring and brag" scheduled.

The title of this post is a little confusing to me. All I did was point Paul to a recent post on the same subject.
I personally think the Elgin 3 fingers are well under valued. All of them have small production runs compared to other watches Elgin made.
I collect 3 fingers and getty's. I just cant have to many.

Mike I don't post the stars, but the only BWR 3 finger 17j hunter I can think of is the 341. If you look at the 2010 price guide they also show a 3 finger OF adj5p that is a 3 star, I tend to think that is a later 246. If you look at the 341's out there there were two runs of 1000 each and very few have the adj5p marking, in my case I got lucky and it is a a5p marked 341. you will also see this on the 155/162 some are marked a5p and some not, I have both and I think both of mine are just marked adjusted.

Hey Jim,

I didn't take your assessment personal... I am so new that I'm just now learning that this stuff is not black and white.

I hoped that if I threw your name out there, it would draw a lot more attention and I would get a lot more responses for me to digest on what to look for in a quality purchase.

This thread has been priceless for me. I started out with wrist watches and had a good handle on how to shop them for value.

Making the transition to pocket watches has proven to be quite challenging... partly do to the additional fifty to a hundred years making the available records less available. But also do the the incredibly flexible trends in the evolution of each make and model.

Not only am I amazed at the infrastructure they were able to accomplish for mass manufacturing at this level, but equally amazed at their responsiveness to market trends and regulatory pressures.

I don't know that I will ever get to the point that I'll be a make model and grade hardliner...

I'm pretty happy knowing I got a quality piece without making an ill advised emotional buy.

I'm actually more fascinated with the evolution of the industry and the market and the country during these times than I am about any particular watch.