The Elgin Pry Open

Location:
While this UFO was initially found with it's relatives The First Elgin and the Elgin Sidewinder, this particular Elgin has recently relocated to the examination cube for further research. Upon initial examination, the front cover easily came off. However, the UFO began to exhibit signs of being shy and refused to open very much. Further prying resulted in no further details.

After letting the UFO adjust to the new surroundings, a secondary examination resulted in better results. With a slight tug and jiggle, the front piece easily pried open to reveal the inner workings of the UFO. Once the exam was complete, the Elgin Pry Open was safely returned to its new home.

Description:
Like the other Elgins, this one shares the same face style of a white background with black hour numbers and red minute numbers. The hours are facing up (relative to the winder being at 3 o'clock) and the minutes face the middle of the dial. The smaller second dial has black numbers facing up as well.

Only the hour and second hand appear to be intact. The hour hand has a sharp bend near the middle of the dial of approximately 50 to 60 degrees. The minute hand is broken just shy of the middle of the dial. The front glass/plastic cover is missing. There is a large amount of dust and grime coating the face.

The rear of the case is speckled with dirt, stains, and what appears to be small amounts of rust. Yellow paint is also present, linking it to the other two Elgins.

With the front cover removed, a small hinge is visible at the 3 o'clock position and a corresponding indent for prying is located at the 9 o'clock position. As previously mentioned, during the first examination the face would only lift about 1/8th of an inch.

After further research, the second examination revealed the winder needed to be pulled out from the watch body. Once pulled and "jiggled" (a professional term for gently rocking the winder back and forth with slight pressure), the face pried open completely to reveal the inner workings.

Unique Marks:
Inside rear cover - Patented Trade [five pointed star and a crescent moon] Mark 642, L [over a line] 4352*, L [over a line] 7858*, 12x2x423*, 533L*, [three small horizontal lines] 24* - *Hand etched number, letters, and symbols

Inner workings - Elgin Nat'l Watch Co., Fast, Slow, 15 Jewels, Saftey Pinion, U. S. A., 14038782

History:
Technical details of the watch can be found here.

- Built in 1908
- Grade 312
- Class 109
- Size 16
- 15 Jewels
- Hunter case
- 3/4 Plate
- Nickel Demaskeening
- Model 6
- Pendant Set

Photos:




































References:
- Copious amounts of information retrieved from http://elginwatches.org/index.html

Special Thanks:
- Special thanks to Kurt R. A. Giambastiani. This private hobbyist and watch uber-enthusiast is also known for his popular Fallen Cloud saga books and for being an all-around great guy.