I bought a 7 jewel elgin timer, it seems to be in fair shape.One thing is those crappy yellow crystals has done a great job of cooroding the hands.It will wind up on the spring but won,t run.If you put a little pressure on the center wheel it will run.I am thinking broken mainspring.Am i on the right track?
Question 2.
A 17 jewel elgin 12 sz .Does run.When you wind it it engages ok the 2 wheels then there is a noise and the 2 wheels dont engage and the click doesn,t click.Like something moving out of alignment.maybe stem sleeve problems or the crown wheel under neath is stripped.
I know my terminology is a bit bad here.I am in a hurry to post this as i am leaving for work soon.
If needed a better explanation and correct part names could be given in another post.
All help is always appreciated.

Kevin "Veritas" West

I am going to venture an amatuers guess.
Question 1: could it be the balance staff?
Question 2: could it be the mainspring broken

Like I said, an amatuers guess at best.

Frank Juchniewicz

Not sure if I understand exactly, but I'll give it a stab.

Q1.
If pressure on the back pivot of the center wheel in a downward pressure (parallel to the pivot) allows it to run. Look at the pinion gear of the center wheel. Is it rusted? Also could be rusted and bound pivot under the cannon pinion. Sometimes the outgassing of the celluloid crystals cause rusting beyond the hands.

Q2. Could be a bent mainspring arbor.

Either way a full teardown and inspection are in order. Have fun

Mike Miller

Kevin,

Follow Mike's advice! You must establish a baseline or you will find yourself going in endless circles. A good baseline is a complete teardown and parts inspection/replacement. Following that, a good cleaning and oiling.

Now you will have a good baseline to do further troubleshooting.

John D. Duvall
Vice President, Education

Thanks Mike and John,Mike how could a mainspring arbour get damaged like that?Would it have to get hit on something or the watch fell and hit a hard surface.

Kevin "Veritas" West

Kevin

Would appreciate if you would let us know what you find is the problem with these two watches,after you break them down.

There is always something to learn from someone.

Frank Juchniewicz

Hi Cleaver, so far i know the balance is good in the Elgin timer, movement looks like no one ever worked on it before.
The other movement i have been looking at it but haven,t found the problem yet, just a few weird things so far.
Will post when i know more.

Kevin "Veritas" West

Thanks Kevin,will follow the thread.

Frank Juchniewicz

I don't know if this will help or not, but of the 5 or 6 watches that I've had that displayed this same problem...(a little pressure on the center wheel gets it running)...all have been fixed with a cleaning and lubrication. (That's provided that all you're doing is giving the center wheel just a little help, not so much that you're taking the place of the mainspring.)

Yes Bill, the timer will get a complete teardown and oiling soon.
The other watch the Elgin, it seems the crown wheel and the winding wheel the wheels had been removed and when put back on the arbours, they were not aligned and were loose.
The next problem on this watch it runs well now but will not run 24 hours on a wind, so i am thinking, worn out mainspring?

Kevin "Veritas" West