Elgin 338 pocket watch

[Lflores4538]

Hello all, 

I have an Elgin 338 pocket watch. It has a host of problems that I have taken care of, however... I am quite vexed by the fact that it won’t stay in the setting position. Can y’all please advise of some common issues that would cause this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!! 

Luke

[Lflores4538]

My apologies... it’s an Elgin 336 NOT a 338. 

[JohnR725]

Pictures are always nice because the early watches there's lots of variations of what you are going to find on the dial side. Then is the watch in the case or out of the case when it's having the setting problem?

[azkid]

Serial # would be awesomely helpful too [emoji4]

 

I looked up grade 338... er 336. Looks like early 1900s?

 

These older pocket watch designs use screw-in stem sleeves with 4 teeth, and contoured stems with detent positions to retain the stem in the wind position or allow it to go to the set position.

 

It is common for the stem sleeves to break off a tooth or two and then the stem won't stay in the wind position. The movement has springs that force the stem out to the set position. If there is a problem there, the watch may not go into set mode. And if any of it is gunked up it can be hard to get in one or the other position.

 

FWIW I have a ton of stem sleeves if you need one. I bought them in a bulk lot but I cannot imagine ever needing that many [emoji4]

 

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