Hi all, I have really no information on this watch, but can anyone tell me about my description. I noticed it in a local Value Village store today, I could not get the back off of it, so have no knowledge of what is inside. It states on the dial "Lord Elgin" 30 jewels, self winding, incabloc, I believe it stated on the case 10k. That is all I can offer for now, I am thinking about going back tomorrow, if someone can tell me, or at least guess as to what it is. I am concerned about the "incabloc" thinking that this might be a later watch. Thanks, Bill
Posts: 1278 | Location: British Columbia in Canada | Registered: May 19, 2008
Dave, I did not notice "swiss made" on the dial, I think I was more worried about the incabloc, as I thought that was a far later term on watches. Of course I was hoping for a true Elgin watch, as apparently they did make some very scarce ones I believe in the 50's. Seeing as I was not able to see the innards of this watch, I have no idea. Thanks for the rapid response, and if I get to see the movement or better yet, buy it at the right price, I'll be sure to post pictures. Bill
Posts: 1278 | Location: British Columbia in Canada | Registered: May 19, 2008
Dave, Well I got to look at it today, it is a swiss made Elgin Mvmt# 796. Can anyone tell me about this particular movement ? It is running, but I noted a couple of case screws seem to be missing out of it, which tells me someone had been working on it sometime recently. They did not want me to take pictures of it. It is a solid gold 10k case. Any and all information on this movement would be appreciated. Thanks, Bill
Posts: 1278 | Location: British Columbia in Canada | Registered: May 19, 2008
Hi Bill. While I'm not an Elgin expert, I do collect vintage models. I'd say you have a mystery watch. The dial and movt. indicate 30 jewels but the rotor shows 796. The mystery is, Elgin's 796 grade movt were 25 jewels, not 30. Their 30 jewel movts were 760s.
Is it possible to get the movt#?
Posts: 45 | Location: New York State in the USA | Registered: October 25, 2016
It might have been just more marketing than actual use. They'd put 'jewels' on screw heads just to claim they were in a watch back in the 50's and 60's.
Regards! Mark
Posts: 3837 | Location: Estill Springs, Tennessee, USA | Registered: December 02, 2002
Eric, There is no serial number on the watch, which suggests to me it was made after 1962, it as I have found out has a swiss 30 jewel AS1673 movement in it. I have found another one asked about in the vintage watch forum, also a 30 j with this movement, so it tells me, this movement was in these watches. The other one refered to was apparently bought new in the early 60's, and had not been frankensized, as it was owned by the original family. This seems to be quite a scarce watch, and of course I am still trying to find some elgin advertising or something on it.
Mark and Peter, Although I know of what you were talking about the bling of these early swiss watches, also in my search I found that when Elgin in the early 40 -50's had 30 jewel self winding watches, the jeweling was something to do with jewels on the self winding mechanisms or something of that nature, not being a watch repair person myself, I have no idea as to what they are talking about.
I will keep searching myself ,and please if anyone else finds something in their research pass it on to me, as I would like to find out more on this watch.
Again it is a swiss watch, after the fall of elgin, but before they really went to the dogs.
Thanks for all the comments and remarks, and help so far,
Bill
Posts: 1278 | Location: British Columbia in Canada | Registered: May 19, 2008
Inside of case back, that might be a clue ? It has several watch repair engravings so it appears to have been looked after for the most part. Any clue of the case maker ? Bill
Posts: 1278 | Location: British Columbia in Canada | Registered: May 19, 2008