Any pocket-watch aficionados?

[GrainReaper]

This pocket watch was my owned by my great grandfather, my mother found it while going through her closet and figured I might want it.

It's an Elgin watch that based on the number on the mechanism is a 1906 15j grade 314. It's not working and I'm wondering if it's worth trying to get fixed or just use as a decorative trinket in my barroom.

Outside of being old, it has no real meaning to me so you won't hurt my feelings if it's nothing more than scrap.

[Holcombe Thomas]

I am no expert, but I have three old pocket watches. My experience has been that every few years they need to be professionally cleaned and adjusted. My costs have been between $100 and $300 or so per watch, but, frankly, I have no idea if these are especially cheap or expensive. Once the watches are running, they work better and longer if you wind them daily and keep them running.

I'd suggest taking your watch to a repair shop and at least getting a quick estimate on repairs and whether the cost is justified by the value of the watch.

Holcombe

[Father Bill]

I'm a sentimentalist. To me, the value of the watch would be enhanced by and reflected in its provenance.

[Woodsman]

I have my grandfather's pocket watch that was passed down to me by my father. It is my hope to pass it on to my son. But now you have me thinking about it. Maybe I should take it out and wind it, or maybe have it cleaned/serviced.

[Dileasgubas]

Elgin watches are very popular and highly collectable - do a search on EBay to see some examples. I bought a couple recently, kept one for myself and raffled the other off for charity at my local masonic lodge. I had both cleaned and restored to order by a local watchmaker. Parts for Elgin watches are still available for most models and prices are reasonable.

That said, mechanical watches, especially old ones, need to be cleaned and adjusted. The metal spindles are braced by stone "jewels" to reduce friction but must be kept oiled. Most old watches have the works gummed up and need a thorough cleaning. They also need to be set every few days since watches of the era were not nearly as accurate as today's modern timepieces. Assuming you can find a watchmaker in your neck of the woods, a cleaning and restoring job should run about $100 for labour, not including parts. Elgin watches were built to last, so unless there is anything major wrong with the watch, you should be fine.

The trick these days is finding someone who can fix watches.

[dutchy kilted]

I just had my grandfather's 1923 Elgin pocket watch repaired so at some point I can pass it along to my son. It cots about $300 for repair, cleaning and replacement of some of the jewels. It is really not worth that much, but it has the sentimental value.

My grandfather drove trolleys in Philadelphia and this was the watch he kept in the pocket of his vest to make sure he was on time for his stops. The back side of the watch is worn almost smooth from rubbing against the fabric.

I purchased a very nice packet watch from Rocky at USA Kiltts for use when I am wearing a vest/waistcoat (with or without a kilt) and get lots of compliments on it.

[Tarheel]

Hey TRWXXA, beware Zulu time with that thing. Great thread folks.

[IsaacW]

I love pocketwatches. I have a 1920s South Bend and a newer modern one that was given to me as well. I use the South Bend when wearing a waistcoat and the modern one out and about if I am a bit more worried about protecting the watch. I am not sure what you have for watch repair around you but I would suggest at least having it looked at and try to have it fixed. These old watches are amazing and not built like the watches of today!!! Is it also missing the crystal? That alone will cost about $50 or so, but you can sometimes find them online cheaper if you can put one in yourself.

Here is my watch with a chain that I rarely use (I have some nicer ones now).





IW

[TRWXXA]

Hey TRWXXA, beware Zulu time with that thing. Great thread folks.

Gotta watch out (pun) for GMT and UTC too!