The Enicar

This is the last of the watch-related UFOs. We will continue to bring new UFOs, so don't change the channel!

Location:
This particular UFO appears to be either the older cousin or the favorite cousin of the other watches as it shows the most wear. The edges of both front and back covers have the distinctive wear pattern of steady use or old age. This UFO was easily opened for examination and gave little trouble to the UFO inspection team.

Description:
Gold and brass in color, the case shows heavy wear. The front face is white with black numbers. The hour number are facing up relative to the 12 o'clock position. The hour hand has a spade shape on the end while the minute hand is a straight shaft. The seconds dial is located at the 6 o'clock position and is missing the hand. The second numbers are facing the inset dial. No minute number are present. The word "Enicar" is present on the front face, between the center dial and the 12 o'clock hour. The word "Swiss" is barely visible below the 6 o'clock position.

With the front face removed, the word "Swiss" is easily visible. There are some hairline fractures in the face at the 5 o'clock position.

The rear shows distinctive yellow paint that is shared with the other watches. The reverse of the rear cover shows the word "Scepter" and "Warranted 10 Years." The numbers "4843380" are also present in a V shape with the first "3" being in the bottom position.

Unique Marks:
Reverse of the rear cover - Scepter [inside a trapezoidal shape], Warranted 10 Years, 4843380 [in a V shape], W11,813*, =2nd* - *Hand etched number, letters, and symbols

Inner workings of watch - Enicar Swiss, 7 Jewels, 2 Adj.

History:
Enicar is still in business today and focuses primarily on wrist watches. According to their web site, they were founded in 1854 and is one of the earliest watch makers in Switzerland. Enicar was also chosen as the official watch for the Swiss team of climbers that successfully reached the top of Mount Everest in 1956.

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References:
- Enicar Watches, Retrieved on December 10, 2007 from http://www.enicar.com/

The Ingersoll Reliance Watch

Location:
This particular Ingersoll Reliance appears to be a close cousin to the three Elgins in the watch pod. But this cousin has an attitude and should be treated with care. Without the slightest provocation, the hands on the face lashed out at the UFO team member doing the examination. Upon further examination, the rear of the UFO refused to open and would only move a small amount. Because of the stubborn actions of this cousin, the UFO team is unable to provide a full report.

Description:
The case is silver in color and has a white face. The hour numbers are in black and are facing up, relative to the winder at 12 o'clock. The hour hand is pointed at the outermost end, with a small inset circle just before it. Between the hole in the circle and the center of the dial is a slight bulge. The minute hand is narrow with a slight bulge in the middle. The second hand is missing. The dial for the seconds is located at the 6 o'clock position and bears "Made in U.S.A." written above it. The seconds are numbered every ten seconds with the numbers facing the center of the seconds dial. Between the center of the dial and the 12th hour is the label "Ingersoll Reliance." The front cover screws off and the glass/plastic piece is missing. The rear appears to screw off but was unable to be removed.

Unique Marks:
Front face - Ingersoll Reliance, Made in U.S.A

History:
Ingersoll watches were famous for being dollar watches, which was roughly a days wages in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This particular model appears to be a 79144 case.

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References:
- Antique Pocket Watch, Retrieved December 5, 2007 from http://www.antique-pocket-watch.com/ingersoll-watch.html

- Web Horologists Web Ring, Retrieved December 5, 2007 from http://gallery.webhorology.com/displayimage.php?pos=-1760

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

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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.

The Elgin Sidewinder

Continuing the watch series, we no get to look at a different breed of UFO. The Sidewinder.

Location:
As with the First Elgin Watch, this Elgin comes to us from one Benjamin Richard. Being a railroad employee, he appears to have had a fancy for watch-like UFOs. This particular Elgin was discovered next to the first. Traveling in pods or small groups seems to keep them safe.

Description:
This Elgin watch shows the distinctive side winder with a winder at the 3 o'clock position. The face is white with black hour numbers all facing up (relative to the 12 o'clock position). Each five minute period is marked in red, all facing inward toward the center of the dial. Where the 6 o'clock hour would be located is a smaller dial for the seconds. These are numbered for every ten seconds in black, each number facing up (again relative to the 12 o'clock). The hour and minute hands are black with spade-like ends while the second hand is a straight shaft.

The front of the case has small indentations evenly spaced to provide grip during removal. This pattern is duplicated on the reverse cover.

The winder has some rust damage.

Both front and back are silver in color with no visible pattern.

When the front face is removed, a number (0377376) is located under the front cover. There is also a small relief cut out for a latch between the 25 and 27 minute mark. As with the first Elgin, there are numerous numbers and symbols located under the rear cover and on the inner workings.

Unique Marks:
Under the front cover - 0377376

On the reverse of the rear cover - Nickel, Illinois, Watch Case, Co., Silver, 377376, 8-25-10*, M954*, M077*, B5116*, 7057GB*, KA606*, W11,859*, W14,769* - *Hand etched markings.

On the inner workings of the watch - 11753602, Adjusted, 17 Jewels, Safety Pinion, Elgin Nat'l Watch Co., U. S. A.

History:
Go here for a technical read-out of this particular watch.

- Model 2
- Class 103
- 17 Jewels
- Adjusted to 2 positions
- Size 18
- Made in 1904
- Grade 307
- Hunter Case
- Full Plate
- Gold Gilded
- Stem Wound
- Lever Set
- 5 Beats Per Second
- Standard Grade

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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.