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Hello from Colorado

JackW

By JackW
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JackW New Member

JackW

Posted
Posted

Hi,

I was recently told about this forum, from a person I bought a watch and is apparently active here... I started working on watches while I was trying to get a PhD in Geology. Ended with my masters, a good job in my chosen field and a hobby that is both fascinating, zen-like and frustrating...  I think is equal parts. Regardless, I've been building up a skill set for about 6 years now. I got into it because as a grad student I could no longer afford to have a watch maker do repairs... So I bought tools and sought out bargain watches.

I mostly seem to work on Swiss movements and am good with Gruen's movements from the Aegler Rebberg ca. 1920 to the cal 405/420 series of the 1940s. But work on Tavannes/Cyma, Omega, Longines, and a raft of others. I've a collection of about 30 or so watches and have sold or traded away about twice that at this point. Recently I've been into trench style watches and have 4 sitting on my bench. A Fulton Watch Company (with an A. Schild 13''' cal 137, a sterling cased Waltham and a pair of war-time Elgins) but also an early Gruen Curvex. 

Images attached are of a vintage Elgin I tackled earlier this year. Some American movements are a dream to work on.... others not so.

 

Cheers!

elgin_444_parts.jpg

elgin_444_train.jpg

elgin_444_assmb.jpg

elgin_444_bal_test.jpg

elgin_444_dial.jpg

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clockboy Distinguished Member

clockboy

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Posted

Welcome Jack. I speak from experience it is not just "American movements are a dream to work on.... others not so". But for me & many others this is the fun, fascination with horology. Also there is the never ending learning curve that just hooks you in. Enjoy the forum.

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WileyDave WRT Addict

WileyDave

Posted
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6 hours ago, JackW said:

a hobby that is both fascinating, zen-like and frustrating...  

Welcome JackW, you hit the nail on the head with that statement. Looks like you made it over a few hurdles to get where you're at, meaning: you have made the investment in tools and researched your projects well, this is the place for friendly, honest advice. Good job on the Elgin!

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  • 2 weeks later...
vinn3 Distinguished Member

vinn3

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Jack;   very nice pix.,   i have the same watch mvt..  cad101 dated the watch imediatly !  that shows the real value of a forum.  on the subject " American made"  here is my experience:  the first pocket  watch i "opened" was a cylindar escapement and pin set. it was pre 1900 acording to a watchmaker ?.  fortunatly,  i opened an elgin and continued collecting.    vinn

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dadistic Distinguished Member

dadistic

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Posted
14 hours ago, JackW said:

Hey there!

Thank you for the warm welcome.

dadistic... what part of Chicago? I lived in Logan Square for 6 years before moving to CO. Uptown before that....

Currently in Berwyn, but lived in Logan Square in my youth. We have family in Edwards Colorado, lucky for us they are right close to skiing :-)

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