Jump to content

Elgin 539 with replaced balance cock and balance complete from Elgin 554

LittleWatchShop
 Share

Recommended Posts

LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
Posted

 I picked up an Elgin 539 military in a coin case with that watch bench I found locally with a bunch of stuff in it.  Great find, but the balance wheel and cock was missing.

After watching ebay and researching I surmised that the Elgin 554 used the same balance staff and for some reason I thought that the balance cock was equivalent, so I found a 554 pretty cheap on ebay (far cheaper than a 539!!).

I cleaned the 539 and installed the parts from the 554.  It is running, but fast...even with the regulator on full slow.

I realize that it was chancy to do this substitution, but my options were limited.

At this point, I can add timing washers to slow it down.

Another option...perhaps...in the pile of stuff I hauled home from Olathe KS, I think a nabbed a balance complete for the 539 (no balance cock, however).  Maybe I install that balance instead of the one from the 554.

I am all ears...thoughts??

2022-09-26 11_23_21-Window.png

2022-09-26 11_23_39-Window.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
5 hours ago, dadistic said:

Why not try the balance complete?  As long as you are careful, I don't think theres anything to lose in doing so.

Cheers!

Yeah, I think that is an easy thing to try.

Still runs like a bunny rabbit!

---------------

OK, timing washers brought it in tune.

Edited by LittleWatchShop
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • KarlvonKoln
      B-Dip residue?

      By KarlvonKoln · Posted

      You could also use a very fine artist's brush to brush between the coils.  If you gat a size 00 or even 000 that should be small enough for convenience, and with bristles so fine that they are incapable of damaging the hairspring.  Get a good one though, like Windsor-Newton or similar.  I have never had a Windsor-Newton brush shed on my art or other work.  You want a soft brush that will not shed.
    • Levine98
      Chinese clone demagnetizers

      By Levine98 · Posted

      Sounds interesting but how do you push the button if you’re holding both ends? the large current draw overheats after 3-5 seconds and the thermister triggers. A great tool for magnetizing things but I’ve not be able to ever demag anything with it because the emf is so strong it pulls the item off center (down or up).   I paid $89 bucks for it from  CAS-KER, if someone on the board wants it I’d gladly sell it for $25 plus shipping (probably US only otherwise postal costs are prohibitive). Just sent me a note offline.
    • watchweasol
      Seiko 7N22-7028 Movement Identification

      By watchweasol · Posted

      Hi. First thing to do is measure your oil movement as the vx32E and the 43 look very similar but one is a couple of mill smaller the vx32E.  Also the canon pinion heights differ attached tech sheets for 7N22. And  VX43, check details on the sheets. 7N22A_29A_33A_42A_43A.pdf VX43.pdf Hattori VX32E - Specification.pdf Hattori VX32E - Disassemble.pdf
    • oldhippy
      New guy from NC

      By oldhippy · Posted

      Thank you for your introduction and welcome to this friendly forum. We all look forward to your contributions and continued involvement. 
    • Neverenoughwatches
      404 Club

      By Neverenoughwatches · Posted

      I was spitting out flowers and leaves for 10 minutes,  fortunately 3  people saw it and promptly whipped out their phones to film the quick " nothing to see here " recovery  🤣🤣
×
×
  • Create New...