This is an old one I have had for many years in the junk. It is a 6 size 15 jewels Elgin model 216 made in 1899. It is pendent set and in a Philadelphia Watch Case Co. silverode case.
I had to do a lot of work to it but I think the end result is ok.
This is one big watch 43mm x 38mm round.
Anybody else have any of these wonderful old beaters to post.

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Rich,

WOW!! I bet those cases are hard to find!

Great job on the watch. It looks new.

Rich,

What a neat little watch. Terrific pictures!!!

...I like it....I reaaaallllly like it!....fabulous photos too...thanks!...

Nice watch Rich, thanks for posting! Do you wear the watch much? Was wondering how cumbersome the watch is to wear.

Others who would like to share their wire lug wristwatches with us?

Okay Steph,

This was one of the very first 0s Elgin's I repaired. I don't like doing them anymore. The parts are just too small. This is a 15J with NOS hands and beveled crystal.

Steph,

Does this count as a wire lug watch? It does have one tiny lug!

The size (38x43 mm) compares very well with some of the large watches we see today. My big domed crystal auto from IW measures 50mm including the crown, from lug end to lug end is 49-50mm.

Thank you all for the your wonderful comments. Let me try to relate the full story. I got the watch a long time ago.I am not positive when. I know it came in a box lot that I purchased at an auction. Originally it had a 7-jewel Elgin with a broken staff and a lot of rust.
Recently I have been having some eye troubles and have had a series of laser operations to correct the problems. All will be just fine however it has temporally left me with problems seeing close work with my loupe. So I have been looking for things to do in the shop that I am not concerned about messing up.
I have been going through all my parts inventory and came across this last week. I told Lin about it and said I wanted to find a higher jewel count movement for it. I wanted an Elgin of the same period.
The other night I was talking with my wife and she remembered me buying a 15-jewel movement for it shortly after I bought the watch and while we were still living in New Jersey.
That started a hunt to find it and as you can see I did. It was in a box that was still sealed and marked 6-size Elgin parts movements.
That brings us to yesterday. I went to have my eyes checked in the morning. The doctor said it will be a few more days and then I should be back to normal with my vision. I came home and decided to have a go at this since I did not want to try anything small.
The movement was in good condition except that it was missing the setting parts and it had a broken center wheel shaft. I had all the parts I needed so I cleaned everything and assembled the watch as shown in the pictures.
The dial and hands came with the original watch and the case was just very dull.
Stephanie I am wearing the watch and it feels fine.
John I love yours what a great dial.
Lets see some more of these wonderful conversions.

Here are half a dozen that might qualify. These are quite ordinary, and you would see many like them at Marts. 5 Walthams, 3 15-j, 2 7-j, and one 15-j Elgin.

I particularily like this one, Watham Jewel
size, Ruby grade, 15-j, 20 year white gf case with wire lugs

Here's Ruby's movement

Very nice watches guys, i like the Elgin that John D worked on as well.The watch Rich repaired looks very nice and I can easily see why people like the older wrist watches too, thay have a lot of character.
Hope you are well soon and you can get back to the watches Rich.

....as I gotten older I've become more farsighted (Ed note: a quality that doesn't carry over to the manner in which I manage my finances btw) to the point that I have to wear my 'readers' along w/my optivisor at the bench so I really appreciate these large dial watches on the street...and John I particularly like that Waltham w/the seconds bit @9 o'watch......

This is another conversion style that you come across from time to time.
It is a 5/0 15 jewel Waltham Sapphire. I call it a conversion because the stem is held in the case not by a detent system in the movement.
The case is a Keystone J. Boss and is gold filled. I think this watch was cased at Waltham because the crystal for the watch is listed as Waltham.
I like the flared lugs. Any Waltham wristwatch collectors out there that can shed a little more light on this one?

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