Reviving Father Time - Overhauling this Gorgeous Elgin Pocket Watch
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- Опубліковано 11 чер 2024
- The Ultimate Revival Journey: Overhauling the Gorgeous Elgin Father Time - 21 jewel, lever set antique pocket watch from 1921.
According to its owner, the amplitude is very low and the time setting lever no longer works.
If you're looking for an incredible watch repair or antique restoration project, be sure to check out my video! I'll show you how to fix this vintage pocket watch and get it back to working order.
#restoration
#watchrepair
#pocketwatch
#elgin
Contact info: cspinnerwatchrepair@gmail.com
Many of my tools I use are affordable. If you're interested in getting started with watch repair and would like to use what I use, I've included some links below. I earn a small commission from Amazon if purchases are made using these links.
Useful Texts:
Watch Repairer's Manual: amzn.to/3knrwdG
Watchmaker's Lathe: amzn.to/3D02WGb
Tools:
Microscope: amzn.to/3ZrQ3Pn
Movement Holder (pocket watches): amzn.to/3H9JBUv
Movement Holder (wrist watches): amzn.to/3JeG2iv
Ceramic Tipped Tweezers: amzn.to/3QP1qMH
Finger cots: amzn.to/3CXbXzJ
Micrometer: amzn.to/3QNGN3C and Stand: amzn.to/3iIyF86
Rodico: amzn.to/3kr5RBb
Tweezers: amzn.to/3GNFEVi
10X Loupe: amzn.to/3iLfome
Levers: amzn.to/3XB4RZG
Demagnetizer: amzn.to/3ZINUhS
Screwdrivers: amzn.to/3Xr7gqo
Cleaning:
Mesh Baskets: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Ultrasonic: amzn.to/3wcO7wg
Mason Jars: amzn.to/3WkUfgB
Cleaning Solution: amzn.to/3XwQ16I
Rinsing Solution: amzn.to/3wdgAlA
Cleaning Brushes: amzn.to/3QPnSp8
Lubrication:
Oilers: amzn.to/3Xi8LXR
DX Grease: amzn.to/3ZO0kVU
Moebius 941: amzn.to/3Hf6g2X
Moebius 9010: amzn.to/3CVGM7Y
Moebius D5: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Buffing and Polishing:
PolyWatch: amzn.to/3XlVTja
Polishing Compound: amzn.to/3QQ1r33
Chapters:
0:00 Intro and Begin Disassembly
2:57 Diagnosing the Lever
3:58 Disassembly and Inspection
8:12 Balance Pivot Burnishing
10:24 Balance Truing
12:24 Cleaning
13:14 Begin Assembly
15:12 Mainspring Winding
16:55 Assembly Cond
21:57 Balance Installation
23:16 Casing the Movement
23:49 Hands and Wrapping Up
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Prelude No. 2 by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
creativecommons.org/licenses/... - Навчання та стиль
At about 22 minutes you about killed my heart when you said for those who can remember the game of operation. lol 👍🤙❤️
Loved it. Thanks for posting. I also enjoy the background music. Very calming while not distracting from the content.
My grandfather had this watch. I remember it well.
Nice work.
Just found an Elgin buried in my lawn... Missing the hands and glass.. wish I could afford to have it restored... Maybe some day.. love the vids keep up the great work
Beautiful piece ! Anyone should be proud to carry such craftsmanship in their pocket ;p
That is a stunning movement. The jeweling is beautiful and even the finish of the screws is impressive. For me, its a real enlightening experience in pocket watches. Thank you
Oh my god. Gold inlay and jewelling even under the main spring. Not even Rolex go that far. Most impressive.
I just found your channel and have been marathoning it! Thanks for the great content. Not sure when you went away from having the background music throughout the whole video, but I really like it with the music the whole time. Very relaxing to watch back to back.
By the way, I’m an amateur watch tinkerer and have been doing wrist watches for a few years and now thanks to you, I have my first Elgin and some larger tools in the mail!
Great to hear! Let me know how it goes with the Elgin
I admire your work.
Es un deleite ver estos videos. Apreciar las herramientas increibles para comprobar y balancear las diferentes partes!!!!
Great job, steady hands with practiced patience. I'm actually running a couple old timers now as I do on occasion to check for timing. One's a 1911 18's Illinois Bunn special and the others a 1943 Elgin BWRaymond RR 16's., after two days the Illinois is on the mark while the BWRaymond is a minute fast. It doesn't matter, like that one..they are both wonders to admire.
I just came across this for the first time. I’m impressed. It’s great, thank you.
😊watching you work as I have morning coffee. Inspiring!!👍
You point out excellent detail, and things that need to be done or things that need to be avoided
That’s an interesting watch you’re wearing in this video. I sense an eclectic taste at play.
I absolutely love your narration. Perfect amount of explanation plus great camerawork and editing.
Thanks, Timothy. Glad you enjoyed it! More to come.
Great job.Thank you for this video !
I have a 1910 Elgin pocket watch that belonged to my grandfather, looks great in hunter man case. Might get it serviced someday.
I have never seen such a shiny tool. I need one just to put on the mantle.
Wow, Awesome is the word! I'd love to bring a couple from my collection for you to overhaul, but not sure if you do that type of work. Anyway, great video and presentation. Thank you!
Thanks for the help!
I was quoted over $100 to repair the lever set on my 1910 19 jewel Elgin pocket watch. I followed your video and managed to uncase the movement and get to the keyless works. The problem turned out to be nothing more than a loose "axle" screw on the lever! For the past year my method for setting the watch has been
1. Let it run down.
2. Set an alarm clock for 3 minutes before the hands position.
3.. wait for it and wind the watch.
LOL
Great video.
😮 I’m so glad it could be of help!
I love these old Elgins… I have a handful of them that I’ve restored for myself, and they are just phenomenal to look at….
Absolutely stunning, aren’t they. Thanks for the comment!
Yes they are! I actually have an Elgin Avion I need to look at…the balance has bit of a wobble to it.
Fascinated by you guys on how you doing this! Try to find a wtch like that that work perfect
This is truly a beautiful watch.
Thanks, Rob. It is a stunning timepiece for sure
Very nice watch, and very well done in its rebirth. I have a similar Father Time, which I plan to clean and revitalize... I'm not at the restore level yet. Thanks for the tips and help with my next project. Steve
Thanks, Steve. These pieces are worth restoring. Do let me know how it turns out when the time comes. - Chris
I've got an Elgin Raymond 16S Railroad, a Hamilton 16 jewel non railroad, an Illinois Bunn Special railroad and a very ornate non railroad 21 jewel Illinois pocket watches. I use them daily for work. (I work on a railroad, I think it's appropriate.)
I love watching them getting serviced. Makes it easy to understand why they cost what they do to have them serviced.
I love that you actually use them for their intended purpose (or at least play the part!). They’re really special and an important piece of history.
@@csspinner It is against Federal law to have a cell phone in my possession when in the operating cab. So, since I need a timepiece.... (Even though I am rarely in a cab anymore!)
Beautiful watch and excellent service, well done 👍
Love that dial!
Chris, what a watch ! Superb video as always and thank you for the shout out. Despite not changing the staff you still worked your magic on it and got your poise tool out!
Really makes me want a Coventry pocket watch now, this is the city I live in and back in the 1800s it rivalled the Swiss for watchmaking. Sadly it’s all gone now but you can still get a Coventry watch.
I put a post up a few months ago in the group which you might enjoy.
Thanks, Mike! I dug up the post - that must’ve been a moving visit, especially being a watchmaker yourself and living in that area. What I find really interesting is how the Swiss watch industry, before it became what it is today, regularly developed replicas and fakes of English pocket watches before the turn of the century. For example, I’ve worked on some MJ Tobias’, and also the Swiss knockoff (still engraved as MJ Tobias, London).
Always enjoyable, I'll ditto what Timothy just said. :)
Thanks, Mark!!
beautilful watch and a nice service.
This needs an steady hand!!!! Jeewels are valuable!!!
Loved it! 😍
Amazing teacher thank you for sharing i just started few weeks ago collecting Elgin i got 6 already but must dont work so i am intrested in learning to fix them Godbless
Really very interesting Chris 👍
Fantastic video !!!! Beautiful watch !!!!! Im partial to Elgin watches myself.
Thanks, Sonny. One day I’ll find a convertible to feature on the channel. I’ll dedicate it to you 😉
I love watching your vids Thankyou 😊
I appreciate that, Glenn! -Chris
Thank You Chris....Slowly making my way through all your shows..TM
Thanks for another quality service and video. It’s a relief to hear from you in this and several other videos that mainspring winders are not the easiest tools to use. I also have a hard time with getting the mainspring to catch on the winder. Anyway, thanks again.
I haven’t tried this myself yet, but some people in the amateur community have advised about drilling out the tab and replacing it with a taller one to help it catch. Assumes what’s on there now has worn down after years of use
Thanks for the helpful tip. Really appreciate it. Looking forward to your next project.
Wondwefull work, you deserve many more subscriptions, I subscribed recently.
Well done Chris, well done. I have an identical except mine has an up/down sub dial.
And God bless Rodico!
Thanks, Mike! I appreciate the comment. Love those up/downs
A very pretty watch. And your working and commentary were enjoyed. Thank you ! 😊
Awesome!
Great job bringing this beautiful pocketwatch back to life! The quality of your recording and editing are both superb as well. I really enjoy how early American pocketwatch are decorated and finished. I have a Waltham that is nicely decorated, just not quite as nice or extensively as this one. Cheers!
Thanks! Early pocket watches are perfect examples of art intersecting with engineering. The time it took to manufacture and the attention to detail is not something we regularly see in today’s products
I live pocket watches and seeing one brought back to life is nice. I have a 18s Father Time I havent worn in awhile. It mainly comes out for special occasions, and a 18s 17j Illinois is a edc. I need to cleanup my watch bench and service an elgin 16s 3 finger bridge.
All I can say is beautiful! Thanks.
fantastic
Gorgeous. Looks like Father Time was just a little overdue for a servicing.
Great video 👍🏼
Great video, as usual!!! Good job.
I appreciate that, Joe! - Chris
Impressive details in your presentation. 7:48
Thanks, Alice! I appreciate the view and the comment :)
Verry good 👍
Beautiful watch, great restore.
Sucky a relaxing voice and concise instruction!!
Thanks, Kevin! Glad you enjoyed it. More to come.. - Chris
Gorgeous! Well done video, thanks man! ...so many tools yet to buy!!😊
Beautifully serviced indeed... 😊
Another incredible repair Chris!
Thanks, Jimmy!! I appreciate it.
Bought my son in law a Elgin last year for Christmas. They’re gorgeous watches. Y’all do amazing work!
Thanks, George! They’re some of the best I’ve had the pleasure of working on
I agree with others, Chris. Great time at work and excellent video.
Well done! Always a joy to observe your process.
Thank you! Cheers!
Hi, you gave an excellent presentation. I'll be watching more of your work. My 18s Father Time is giving me a challenge or two but so far the restoration has been enjoyable. I've been working on pocket watches for 25 years and am still learning.
Many thanks, Terry
Hi Terry! Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it. The father times are magnificent. Hope you get it running well soon.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful video on the restoration of a gorgeous watch on UA-cam. The beauty and finishing of the movement is really stunning, particularly if you compare it to modern-day practices, where some manufacturers like IWC only finish the visible parts or do nothing at all like Panerai.
Absolutely right. You don’t find this kind of attention to detail in contemporary movements. Thanks for the comment. - Chris
Another beautiful old one, the decoration makes this pocket watch a real piece of art ! That remember me the last pocket watch that I repaired, it’s always fascinating to see you work on ! Timegrapher reading is perfect ! I’m surprised to see that your lift angle is 52, you remember when I repaired mine you help me and I had difficulty getting a reading and finding the right lift angle.
I’m happy to view another quality video from you !
Best regard Chris !! ✨👌
Thanks, Alain. Honestly, the lift angle was a miss and I don’t always think to set it. Maybe it’s 52 but maybe not. Didn’t look it up for this one. I know it interprets amplitude +/- some amount based on it. But if the amp is high enough I don’t really concern myself with the exact number. I’ll try to remember for the future though! Thanks
@@csspinner Perfect ! Thanks and have a great weekend to come !! 🙂
Beautiful watch & some very tidy work with exceptional results .
Thanks, Ted! I appreciate that
Beautiful movement and great explanation of the work you do for revision. I can learn a lot of viewing your videos. Trying it myself in the long run. Thanks❤
Thank you!! It’s a wonderful craft to learn and it’s rewarding bringing these timepieces back to life.
I LOVE your wrist watch! Can’t go wrong with Star Wars! Also just wanted to let you know I sent you an email about possibly repairing a watch I own.
well i found all the timing washers ive been looking for lol Elgin really made some great RR movements. Nice work!
Thanks, Tim!
Hi again. Nice watch repair on that Father Time! I may have a watch that needs some work done to it. It’s a Rockford grade 935 serial number 635581 and needs a new adjustment lever, a looking at the hairspring and a good clean. I just thought it would be good for another video!
Thanks a lot. Shoot me some details on the Rockford: cspinnerwatchrepair@gmail.com
Love seeing you use the Rodico for fine control and handling of tiny parts !!! Its something I adopted early on myself
It’s my safety blanket
@@csspinner Honestly its a very important tool. with Radico you can pick up place and hold tiny parts safely, with full control, no worries of parts pinging off into the fourth dimension. Its a must have tool.
Nice job on this one. It is a beautiful piece. Happy to see you using peg wood! You do a great job on putting the video together. Two things I can pass on. I was taught to lightly oil the cannon when reassembly, I mean light. The other is one is when the watch is out of the case clean the threads of the bezel, rear cover and stem. A light oil on the stem can make a world of difference. I also after cleaning the case threads, just put a touch of oil there. You are doing a great job. BTW, you have to admire those Montgomery dials! Regards
Thank you! I really appreciate the advice. Great idea on lubricating the threads. I’ve had some pretty tight screw backs and I’m sure that would help. As for the cannon, I’m always nervous about impact friction but I can see how a tiny bit of oil can protect against wear. Thanks again
Always enjoy your videos and repair work my friend! You do fantastic work, and I appreciate the walk through as it helps me in my repair work. Currently, I'm working on a grade 150 Elgin that was the worst case of seized up internal parts I've ever seen. Gummed up with over excessive oil and grease that had dried hard in most places. Cheers!
Oh yea some of these old ones I’ve seen the service marks for. Some of them not since the roaring 20s. Definitely “entombed” in oil. Sometimes takes two cleaning cycles and definitely need to peg the jewel holes to be sure you get it all!
@@csspinner,yep, exactly! 😂
I like the way that you poised the balance, well done! One thing that I like to do is demagnetize my movements, it is amazing how much magnetism there is in watches.
Thanks, Larry! Very true. I once came across one that was so magnetized, the balance only had 90 degrees of amplitude even though it ran strongly. The watch gained hours per day at the rate it was running. It was so bad I had to disassemble and demagnetize every part individually. When asked, the guy I repaired it for said he threw it in a draw next to a spare speaker magnet 😂
@@csspinner Excellent story. I like watching your repair videos. You do beautiful work!
At Elgin they definitely knew how to decorate every parts of a watch. They made some splendid bridges and wheels for this one. Thank you for taking care of this beautiful little clock..
Q: what's the watch that you are wearing in this video?
Thank you! I’m wearing Citizen’s “ani digi” throwback, redesigned for Star Wars. This is the rebel pilot version, but there are several others
I have my grandfather's gold Elgin watch he received from working at Southern Railway. I would be interested in knowing how much it would cost to restore it. The watch currently runs and seems to be in excellent condition for it's age.
Loved that JACOT tool and appreciate that you used the traditional bow. There have been folks who have motorized such tools with both DC and AC motors. Can you imagine any reason why this might, or might not have negative outcomes? Thoughts?
Thanks, Bruce. I’ve seen jacot drum attachments for the lathe. The back and forth motion is still required by the burnisher. The fact that the motor only spins the work in one direction is made up by the possible speed
Very intelligent and interesting video. I have a pocket watch similar just left to me in a will. It’s a beauty. Can you suggest whom I’d take it to for cleaning, value, and check to see if any restoration is needed. Much to my surprise everything is ticking and running inside but it’s way too delicate looking. I think for me to open it again. Can you tell me what kind of restoration person to see. I live in Northern California. Not sure where you live but wondering if you’re close by to look at it and the cost to evaluate it.Ty
Drop me a line: cspinnerwatchrepair@gmail.com
Hi again. I have been trying to get hold of Elgin part #2621 but there are none in the uk. I was wondering if you could help me get hold of one.
Maybe it should have a transparent back plate, to show off the beautiful movement.
I love the salesman cases!
What is the average cost to service a watch like this? I have a nickel plated Elgin, from around 1904. Thank you.
Tolle Arbeit! Sie machen es Perfekt 👍. Reinigen Sie nur alte Taschenuhren und Armbanduhren? Oder Reinigen Sie auch antike Wecker?
LG Magnus
Während Uhren sehr interessant sind, beschränkt sich mein Hobby auf Uhren. Danke!!
@@csspinnerOk Dankeschön 😊
I have never seen a Father Time. I have done a lot of collecting over the years, not recently, but I have never seen of these greats.
As the proud owner of 1 of these glorius movements..If I need to speed mine up? Is it as simple as turning the screw to faster? Subbed and thank you!
Yes assuming the movement is otherwise running to spec, basic regulation of the timekeeping can be achieved using that adjuster on the balance.
Thank you!@@csspinner
Is there a place to learn more about these watches?
Pocket watch database has some information. pocketwatchdatabase.com/guide/trade-names/father-time
What year is this movement? Where the block style ELGIN lettering used on the 1896 149 grade?
This movement was produced in 1921. Grade 454.
I have the same watch that does not work. I would like for you to work on it.
Awesome my mother has a womens watch that fell, and nroke the second hand fell off and is probably stuck in the case somewhere, and the crown broke off and lost it.
Tiny timing washers... wow...
Question:
Why not set the second had so it is pointing at "60" so the minute hand reaches the minutes at the same time, rather than the second hand being off by 20~30 seconds or more fast or slow?
When setting the time the watch does not stop, so there is no way to set the time so the second hand is at "60" at the top of the minute.
I could have, but considering the watch gains/loses several seconds per day, as soon as the watch starts it’s already going to be off anyway.
How do you remember what screws go where ?
I usually place the screws in numbered compartments and then they’re photographed next to they’re respective parts
I have a 7 jewel Elgin , is it worth repairing ? It’s from 1923.
Sending it out for repair will exceed the “street value” of the watch. Different story if it’s a family heirloom, in which case street value doesn’t matter as much
Wow... Montgomery dial... I had one, my watchmaker took it away, said that the (cyma locomotive) watch was flooded, but he refused to show me the remains... He has passed away about 5 years ago...
😮 I’m sorry to hear that. Water damage?
Just today, JOMW has a review of that weirdo Citizen ana/digi making an appearance on your wrist, unless yours is a vintage original rather than the reissue
It’s the reissue. I’m very happy with it.
They are not stones but man made jewels . Only the diamond is harder then they are. So one getting cracked means the person working on it had no idea what they were doing .
Yes. They are hard but super brittle
Those old steel mainsprings will easily break and create more problems than leaving them in. Always replace with a modern alloy mainspring!
I agree, 100%! While you have everything apart, replace the main spring. A broken mainspring is one of them most common issues with these old watches.
Amazing to watch but ditch the piano.
My latest videos don’t have it