Internet Horology Club 185
Elgin Military Dials, help ID

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October 06, 2012, 20:55
Chris Abell
Elgin Military Dials, help ID
Just clearing out some draws found these two, can you help ID them, for year/model watch etc, on the left chipped face 27.6mm dia right high gloss 26.4mm
thanks




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October 06, 2012, 20:55
Chris Abell
2




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October 06, 2012, 22:38
Greg Crockett
Hello Chris,

Nice old dials.

This type is called the "Pershing" star dial, and they date back to the WWI period. A date is often found on the back, being the date the luminous material was painted on, and one of your dials is dated June, 1918. As you know, luminous material will burn out after a while and so Elgin put a date on them. Even though not glowing, the stuff is still highly poisonous, but fortunatley, someone removed the old luminous paint from your two dials.

Unfortunatley, I can't recall which Elgin movements were supplied with these dials. They not only came from Elgin on ready made wristwatches but also as extra parts to the trade for any watch makers who wished to convert pendant watches to wristwatches.
October 07, 2012, 08:22
Chris Abell
Thanks Greg, I may have a few early cases also.


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