eBay has a complete double-boxed Elgin Model 600 Chronometer released by the naval Observatory for service in 1943 for assignment to the Lykes Steamship Lines who operated about 125 Freighters for the Navy during WWII, losing 22 of them at the cost of over 272 men. This Elgin Crhonometer far surpasses the extraordinary Hamilton 21 as a collectible with less than 100 delivered and only a few remaining today. A VERY rare and important piece of History;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBa...em&item=290770211821

I asked Paul Berndt, our Elgin ILL based IHC185 member about these and he dug an un-numbered Elgon R&D Part that look suspiciously like the highly complex machined 3 piece Balance Cock Pallet Fork Mounting assembly for this masterpiece.

NOTE; unlike the Hamilton model 21 design copied from a Swiss Cronometer, this is PURE ELGIN DESIGN!

Was it yours David, if so congratulations on the achieved price?...Winning bid:US $5,100.00[ 32 bids ]

I don't think the Elgin design was well received by the Navy, was it?

...not at all!

In fact they were refused after failing tests at the Naval Observatory.
Here a quote from Whitney´s Book, Military Timepieces;

Elgin was awarded a contract for 3000 chronometers at a cost of $541 per instrument.
On February 15, 1944 Elgin delivered their prototypd chronometer to the Naval Observatory where it was disassembled and examined. On July 28, 1944 Elgin delivered their number 1 and number 3 chronometers to the Naval Observatory for trial. Number 1 was accepted on April 10, 1945 after considerable timing adjustments and trials. Number 3 failed and was rejected. Elgin delivered 22 additional chronometers but they all failed. The last shippment of 6 chronometers was recieved for trial from Elgin on May 31, 1945. All 6 failled, and shortly thereafter the war ended and the contract was cancelled...

Werner, I regret failing to refer to Whitney's book because those comments only deepen the mystery of this Chronometer.

This unit shows signs of use in service and has the Naval Observatory "N" surrounded by an "O" signature and stamp of approval on the dial and movement. Elgin built and signed by this for issuance to Lykes Steamship Lines, a private contractor to the US govt. for WWII transport of goods and materials in the war effort.

In short, I believe there is more to the Elgin Chronometer than what Whitney has reported.

Indeed very a very controversial chronometer.
I found quiet a few just by googling, all had the Naval Obsevatory number on the dial and all had the date marked 1943...which just can´t be, as Elgin sent their prototype for tests in Feb. 1944!

I´m inclined to believe Elgin had these dials and movement already made and finished, but their testing at the Obsevatory fell through.

Here´s what I found in an instant;

15
20
58
117
151
202
344
347
469
...and I´m sure I could have found more had I looked longer.
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http://www.christies.com/lotFi...?intObjectID=1022681

Lot Description

AN AMERICAN TWO-DAY ELGIN MODEL 600 MARINE CHRONOMETER
Elgin, (N)469, circa 1943
The frosted silver dial signed and numbered ELGIN U.S.A. (N) 469 1943, Arabic hour numerals, subsidiary seconds and up-and-down dials, black hands, nickel plated movement inscribed ELGIN 600 U.S.A. 14 JEWELS U.S. NAVY BU. SHIPS (N) 469, 1943, Earnshaw escapement, cut bimetallic Guillaume integral balance with four circular heat compensation weights, bright metal helical spring, strip steel detent positioned by two steady pins and screw to side of banking block and with side-set locking jewel in brass setting and depth adjusting screw at outer end, escape wheel with divided teeth, brass bowl, gimballed in three-tier brass-bound mahogany box, external brass drop handles
104 mm. dial diam., 194 mm. sq. box

Price Realized (Set Currency)

£1,380
($2,118)
Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.

Estimate

£1,500 - £2,000
($2,302 - $3,069)

Sale Information

Sale 5608

12 June 1996
London, King Street

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http://www.awco.org/elgin/Elgin600/600.htm

#469

Elgin Grade 600 Marine Chronometer. Elgin was the runner-up to Hamilton in the competition for the WWII military chronometer. A few Elgins were sold to the military for evaluation and the remainder were sold commercially. Supposedly a number were disposed of much later in kit form as "do it yourself" Marine Chronometers. The Elgin chronometer has a Guillaume balance with 4 arm integral form and a demountable escapement.

Unfortunately the samples submitted to the Navy did not meet the specifications. However, as indicated by the Bu. Ships marking on this piece, some pieces must have been sold to the military.



http://www.awco.org/elgin/Elgin600/dial.jpg

http://www.awco.org/elgin/Elgin600/movement.jpg

http://www.awco.org/elgin/Elgin600/AngleView.jpg

http://www.awco.org/elgin/Elgin600/AngleView2.jpg

http://www.awco.org/elgin/Elgin600/Potence.jpg

http://www.awco.org/elgin/Elgin600/detent.jpg

http://www.awco.org/elgin/Elgi.../EscapementMount.jpg
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http://www.christies.com/lotFi...?intObjectID=4544562

Lot Description

An American brass-bound mahogany Elgin Model 600 two-day marine chronometer, mid 20th century
Three-tier box with signature plaque to front, brass bowl and gimbal, 10.5 cm. diameter silvered Arabic dial with 48-hour up/down ring, signed ELGIN/U.S.A./N151/1943, with subsidiary seconds ring, blued steel hands, chain fusee with Earnshaw type escapement, cut bimetallic balance with steel helical balance spring, spring detent with adjustable block and jewelled locking stone, nickel plated and damascened plates with polished steel baluster pillars, the top plate with full signature and repeat number -- 7½ in. (19 cm.) square; with guard box
Estimate

£1,500 - £2,000
($2,660 - $3,546)

Price Realized (Set Currency)

£2,040
($3,617)

Sale Information

Sale 5644

13 July 2005
London, South Kensington

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.christies.com/lotfi...?intObjectID=4317945
Lot Description

An American two-day model 600 marine chronometer
Elgin Watch Company, Illinois, No. 151. 1943
The silvered Arabic dial signed ELGIN U.S.A. No. 151 1943, blued steel hands, subsidiary dials for up-and-down calibrated 8 to 48, subsidiary seconds at 6, the nickel plated and damascened movement with polished steel baluster pillars, the top plate signed ELGIN 600 U.S.A. 14 JEWELS U.S. NAVY BU. SHIPS NO. 151, 1943, the escapement with steel helical spring and cut bimetallic compensated balance, Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement with adjustable block and jewelled locking stone, lacquered brass bowl with spring-loaded winding cover, the brass bound three-tier box with drop handles and rectangular metal plaque to the mid section signed ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH COMPANY, ELGIN, ILLINOIS, U.S.A.; with the original green felt-lined mahogany guard box
7½in. (19cm.) sq. box


Estimate

£1,500 - £2,000
($2,729 - $3,638)

Sale Information

Sale 6928
Price Realized (Set Currency)

£5,019
($9,130)

2 July 2004
London, King Street


----------------------------------------------

http://www.jones-horan.com/0404/0404g.htm

Prices Realized from Sunday, September 26, 2004

216 Elgin Grade/Model 600 N117 1943 Movement Elgin 14 Jewels US Navy Bureau of Ships Elgin 600, original box
Photo1 Photo2 Photo3 Photo4 Photo5 Photo6 Photo7 This lot sold on 9/26/04 for $3900


Jones & Horan Auctioneers
2004 | USA
Lot 219 | Ship's chronometer-Elgin helical hairspring 48 hr up/down N115 Model 600 14J, calibration label and Observator B. V., chronometer

Ship's chronometer-Elgin helical hairspring 48 hr up/down N115 Model 600 14J, calibration label and Observator B. V., chronometer makers to the Royal Navy


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http://catalog.antiquorum.com/...tid=122&auctionid=23
LOT 122
Elgin, Model 600, No. 58, made for the U.S. Navy in 1943.Fine and very rare, two-day, marine box chronometer with 56-hour winding indicator, original factory observatory certificate and outer carrying box.
C. brass bowl with threaded glazed bezel gimbaled in three-body brass-bound mahogany box with glazed panel in the top under hinged lid with fitted catch, brass handles, brass corners, and plate with the signature, Breguet-type key in a corner plate, key-lock in front, gimbals ring locked by swiveling arm pressing sideways against the base of the cylinder. D. silvered, Roman hour numerals, Arabic seconds on subsidiary dial at 6 o'clock, up/down indicator at 12 o'clock. Blued steel "Spade" hands.. 87 mm, nickel full plate with recess for the balance, "fausses côtes" decoration, baluster pillars, secured by screws, fusee and chain, detachable Earnshaw spring-detent escapement, bimetallic anibal-brass Guillaume balance with free sprung special steel alloy balance spring with terminal curves, four cylindrical temperature adjustment weights, two mean time adjustment nuts, jeweled to the third wheel.Signed on the dial and movement. Movement also engraved, "U.S. NAVY, BU. SHIPS, NO 58, 1943."Dim. Height 19cm, width and depth 18cm
Estimate: 5,000 USD - 7,000 USD
--------------------------------------------------
http://catalog.antiquorum.com/...tid=123&auctionid=23

LOT 123
Elgin, Model 600, No. 202, made for the U.S. Navy in 1943.Fine and very rare, two-day marine box chronometer with 56-hour winding indicator.
C. brass bowl with threaded glazed bezel gimbaled in three-body brass-bound mahogany box with glazed panel in the top under hinged lid with fitted catch, brass handles, plate with the signature, Breguet-type key in a corner plate, key-lock in front, gimbals ring locked by swiveling arm pressing sideways against the base of the cylinder. D. silvered, Roman hour numerals, Arabic seconds on subsidiary dial at 6 o'clock, up/down indicator at 12 o'clock. Blued steel "Spade" hands. M. 87 mm, nickel, fll plate with recess for the balance, "fausses côtes" decoration, baluster pillars, secured by screws, fusee and chain, detachable Earnshaw spring-detent escapement, bimetallic anibal-brass Guillaume balance with free sprung special steel alloy balance spring with terminal curves, four cylindrical temperature adjustment weights, two mean time adjustment nuts, jeweled to the third wheel.Signed on the dial and movement. Movement also engraved "U.S. NAVY, BU. SHIPS, NO 202, 1943."Dim. Height 19cm, width and depth 18cm

--------------------------------------------------
http://*****.pastperfect-onlin...14934546821&type=101

Object Name Chronometer
Other Name Marine Chronometer
Description Model 600 Elgin chronometer with Elginium hairspring. Two screws on balance cock. Escapement assembly is detachable from train.
Elgin chronometer in gimbaled box. Chronometer movement housed in brass casing. Dial reads, ”Elgin / U.S.A. / N15 / 1943” and Arabic numbers. Seconds bit at the 6-hour mark. Up-down indicator at the 12-hour mark. Plaque on front of box reads, ”Elgin National Watch Company / Elgin, Illinois, U.S.A.” United States seal and pyramid with eye decals on top of box lid. Has a locking device. Box is lined in green velvet.
Chronometer and transport box may not have originally gone together.
Reference page 153ff of Military Timepieces by Marvin E. Whitney, 1992.
Date 1943
Maker Elgin National Watch Company
Collection Timepiece
Catalog Number 2001.12.1
Material brass, wood, glass, steel, velvet
Place of Origin Elgin, Illinois, USA
Escapement detent
Image Ship Chronometer Enclosure
Ship Chronometer Enclosure
Marine Chronometer
Marine Chronometer
-------------------------------------------------
Ebay Rare Elgin600 #20 US Navy Marine Ships Chronometer.
Sold Date: 04/06/2010
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Tools

1943 Elgin Model # 600 US Navy Chronometer.
Back of the movement reads:"14 Jewels,U.S. Navy,BU SHIPS 'N' 20,1943"
Chronometer has test rating certificat. It runs and keeps time very
------------------------------------------------
Chronometer, Elgin Model 600

Sold For:
Sold Date: 08/13/2004
Channel: Retail
Source: GoAntiques
Category: Furniture & Furnishings

Full size Elgin Model 600 Chronometer No.(N)347. Includes Rate Certificates from both M. Low (1974) and New York Nautical Instruments (1988). Former identified as from Hull No. 403. Latter from the vessel "Mormac Run". Unique detachable escapement assembly. Most parts, with exception of escapement are interchangeable with the Hamilton Model21. Only about 300 of these chronometers were manufactured. Clearly a rarity. For a complete description of the Elgin Model 600, See Marvin Whitney's "The Ship's Chronometer" and "Military Timepieces". This is a very interesting historical piece of horological innovation occasioned by the onset of World War II. Be assured you will be among a select few with this in your collection.
------------------------------------------------

Sold For:
Sold Date: 11/09/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Fine Art

For auction is an Elgin Model 600 marine chronometer, serial number 344 with the "N" indicating US navy. The instrument is in excellent working condition. The box has been re-finished.
Packing and shipping will be billed at actual cost. Item will be properly "corked" prior to shipment.

Please advise if you need additional information or photographs.