The serial number seems to date it to 1950.

 

Definitely 1950s. Very nice watch, BTW! I like those lugs better than any of the other stainless cases Elgin sold.

The 642 was one of three 8/0 movements Elgin introduced around 1950 with Incabloc shock protection (hence 'Shockmaster'). The 642 was originally a 15j movement, but later was made with 17j. The other two were the 17j 641 and 647, the latter having a sweep seconds hand. The 642 was part of the basic 'Elgin' line, while the 641 and 647 were 'Elgin DeLuxe' models, with improved finish and, of course, more expensive.

Yours dates to ~1951, and the 641 series were replaced by the 687 in 1954, and Elgin didn't make the 8/0 movements past about 1955 or so.

The fact that the dial doesn't indicate 'Shockmaster' suggests that the dial was redone incorrectly. The dial looks really good for 60 years old, but does show some evidence of radium burn, so it's hard to say for sure. Still, 'Shockmaster' was a selling point for these watches, so it's hard to imagine they'd leave it off the dial.

 

Hello,
I have a 642 in need of a hairspring. I can get a 647 movement. Based on your information here there are very similar. But the 647 has center seconds while the 642 has sub seconds. I'm not a watchmaker, but need to get the part. Would the hairspring from a 647 work in a 642? Thank you in advance. I'm new on here and I don't see any other way to post a question.

 

Nice watch!

Here's the info about your watch:

Elgin Serial Number : F147969
Production Year :1951
Size : 8/0s
Jewels : 17 jewels
Grade : 642
Model : 16
Run Quantity : 52000
Production Dates : 1950 to 1951
Total Grade Production : 54000
Movement Configuration : Hunter Case (wristwatch)
Movement Setting : Pendant Wind and Set
Plate : 3/4 Plate
Barrel : Going Barrel

Saludos!

 

Beautiful watch! Congrats to the OP!

I hate to so this, but didn't feel an entirely new thread was justified.

Would it be possible for the Elgin pros to give me the same info as above for a watch I just won on eBay.

Pics:

Any help would be phenomenally helpful!

Warm thanks for looking!

 

It is an AS 1361, a Swiss automatic.

 

Not sure if this was meant for me or OP. it's my fault for butting in here with my watch. There are just countless threads with this request. I would use the S/N look up utility, but I don't think I can see the S/N of this watch in these pics. Maybe the rotor of the movement is blocking the view of it?

Sorry again, for intruding. Was jut hoping for some guidance as to the details on my Elgin.

-Cheers

 

The dial is not a very successful refinish, being with a 'sunburst' finish which is not common at all for American watches and needs to be in shimmery silver such as the enclosed sample.
Nevertheless, for the price you paid it's a decent deal.

 

This is a great thread with brilliant info, i have my own site Elgin Pocket Watch but i have learned a lot from here

 

To the ORIGINAL OPENING POSTER;

I am a eBay seller / buyer going back to 2000.

You said the seller REPLACED the band with a charcoal, suede band, did I get this right? That is NOT what I am seeing in the eBay listing itself.

UNLESS you agreed to such a replacement, the seller SIGNIFICANTLY altered the item delivered to you from the item listed in the auction listing itself.

I would have a HUGE problem with that, if I were the buyer and the seller would be hearing from me and SUPPLYING ME with the band that was advertised
as going with the watch in the listing OR I would be NEGGING AND LEAVING ALL 1s on the DSR star ratings, AT LEAST.

But then again I am not very patient when it comes to MY MONEY.

 

I believe the OP (Original Poster) replaced the strap (that's the way I read it).

 

1912 Elgin Ladies Pendant ???

Any idea what this watch might be worth? After researching it, I think it's a ladies pendant, 7 jewel watch, that was made around 1912. The movement serial number is 16066182. It showed a grade of 320, but not sure what that means.

 

Holy necrothread! I would advise you to try the "Watchmaking" subforum. Good luck.

Hartmut Richter

 

Thank you Helmut. I don't really understand the problem here? There are vintage Elgin here. If somebody knows then they can answer the question. Isn't that the whole point?

 

Yes, there are posts on Elgin watches here and there are people who know about movements - even those by Elgin. However, the Watchmaking specialists - and this is definitely a watchmaking (or service or repair) issue - are mainly in the Watchmaking subforum. I am happy enough with the post staying here but please don't be too surprised if you don't get any informative answers here.

Hartmut Richter