Help with Elgin watch
Summary: laurabeardsley seeks information about an Elgin watch marked "Elgin 17" to determine if it is self-winding or wind-up, noting they do not have the tool to open the back. idealgems1 suggests it is likely a wind-up mechanical watch, identifying that the number 17 refers to jewels used in the mechanism and advising on how to test for the type of movement. laurabeardsley notes the watch feels forced when winding, leading idealgems1 to suggest that it might need cleaning and discussing checking the ease of winding once the watch has run down. No conclusive identification of the watch type is reached.
Can anyone tell me anything about this Elgin watch. It only says Elgin 17 and I am not sure if it is self winding or wind up. I do not have the tool to open the back and I cannot find out much about the Elgin17 that is not marked automatic or anything else.
idealgems1
·1 month agoThat is almost assuredly a wind up mechanical. If you wind the crown, it should click very smoothly. If it is an automatic, two things: 1) it may wind when you turn the crown, but it will likely feel more forced, and 2) if you shake an automatic, you will be able to feel the rotating weight inside the watch rock. It is this weight that winds the watch as it is worn. If the watch doesn't start with a wind, try rocking the watch in a face-up rotational manner.
The 17 surely means 17 jewels. The jewels are not valuable. They are just synthetic rubies that are useful to keep the pivots in the watch from wearing out over time. Early Elgins were made in the US by the Elgin Co., and later the movements were imported. They used Swiss movements, and then in more recent years quartz watches imported movements from Asia. This watch movement is likely either American or Swiss made.
laurabeardsley
OP1 month agoWell it does feel somewhat forced when winding it and it moves better when I shake it but I cannot feel a weight moving when I rock it.
idealgems1
·1 month agoIt would very likely say "automatic" on the dial if it were self-winding. It might feel forced because it needs a clean, oil, and adjust.
Let it run all the way down (if it will) and see if it winds any easier then.