quote:

Dear Bill Briska,

I noted in the last bulletin that you lead the Elgin watch specialists and would like to see if there is any interest or any person that you know that could be of interest in my unusual Elgin pocket watch. I have tried the question part of the magazine with my query but unfortunately not much help and it was not printed for a wider appeal. So perhaps with the colder winter months coming you and your ELGIN colleges can see if you can cast any light on the same.

It was from a query regarding an ELGIN pocket watch Ser No 6494251 yr 1897? Grade 96, class 6, model 2-4, 18 size. of which apart from an oddity with a pre serial number stamp mark and not so common make up, it has a very unusual cannon pinion of a type that I have not experienced on any other European /American make before.

The cannon pinion is in two pieces.

1 The bottom half of the cannon pinion body with the wheel for the set hands drive, the minute pinion. This has a slotted recess in the top for receiving the top half of the cannon pinion body.

2 The top half of the cannon pinion is formed with two sprung lugs which on slotting into the bottom half, grips the main wheels arbour firmly. On top of the top part of the cannon pinion is a boss for the attachment of the minute hand.

See photos of the same.

The workmanship of this split cannon pinion is of the highest quality and I can not accept that it is a watch makers repair ? when a new cannon pinion could be available by purchase, and the amount of workmanship required to form and heat treat the same. Hopefully my description is not to confusing for you and I am sorry that the photos are not of a sharper standard. But they should give a pictorial view of the cannon pinion and the watch as a whole.

It is lever set with the 3oc at the winding crown. The case has an inner swing out works holding ring with the hinge at the crown and the bezel is a screw on. Note the stamp make before the Serial No on the bottom plate and it's the same on the balance bridge and I think somewhere else.

The watch has cleaned up well and for its age going good to time. If anyone has interest with the same and wish for further photographs ( different angles etc) then please E Mail me and I will do what I can to return the same.

Kind regards
Peter Reeve
12th November 2006 E Mail = peter.reeve@tele2.at

PS. I am English, retired and a Pocket watch Hobbyist. But I thought I would try you first, then the BHs and if all fails go cap in had to the Swiss.

quote:

Many thanks for your assistance in opening interest and comments on my watch.
As for a repair job then the man must be most unusually skilled. One must not forget that both parts are purposefully made to match, and are of as very small size from two solid pieces, also polished and heat treated when there must be hundreds of other ways for a running repair to a part not seen.
If necessary and a expert can be agreed upon then I am willing to post over the watch for closer inspection.
And by the way what of the unusual symbol stamped before the serial number on both the dial plate and the balance cock. (I think it was somewhere else as well but I forget now it was so long ago since I cleaned it)
Keep up the good work. Kind regards Peter

quote:

Thanks for the information from Terry Treiman - its the best answer yet. BUT though the lugs from a broken top half (bottom one side slotted) could be filed and machined with a recess to lead on to the post to match, for this is reducing the larger side to match smaller sprung side, it will not answer for the bottom half for neither side is reduced for the spring fit action. ??But 8 out of 10 for the best plausible theory so far, but i´m not fully happy about it. Take another look at the both halves again on my photos.

Many thanks again with kind regards Peter