It appears on a 18S Elgin, that the mainspring can be replaced with dis-assembling the complete watch. Are there any problems replacing the mainspring in this manner? Assuming that the watch does not need cleaning/oiling.

You just have to make sure the square on the barrel arbor has locked into the square in the ratchet wheel before you tighten the barrel bridge screws.

Other than that, you shouldn't have any problem!

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Steve Maddox
President, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas

Wayne,

Was the old mainspring broken? If it was, make sure the safety pinion hasn't unscrewed. Gently probe the center wheel pinion and make sure it hasn't backed off. If it has backed off, even a tiny bit and you install a new mainspring, it may tighten up again but you can't be assured that the arbor has centered itself on the center wheel. In this case, the center wheel may rub against other components.

John D. Duvall
Rosamond, CA.
NAWCC Member 0144772
NAWCC IHC Happy Camper 192

Again, Thanks John & Steve for the information.