Elgin A-11 Maintenance

[PadraicB]

Hi all,

 

I have an Elgin A-11 on the way this week ;). I did a lot of checking on this watch - the movement is authentic, it's one of the later B versions so corrosion of the movement shouldn't be a problem (one hopes), it came complete with the inner anti-magnetic/dust cover, the 539 movement's serial matches the date of the caseback, and it was advertised as "running". I've assumed that "running" involved the seller winding just enough to make the seconds hand twitch - seems the best assumption to go by ;).

 

There are three specific issues:

 

1. The seconds and minutes hands show a hint of corrosion on their edges. Not a lot (and I've seen other A-11's with a LOT) but a light speckling. Here's hoping it doesn't extend to those hidden places beneath the dial where more steel works are present.

2. The front and sides of the case have lost about 20% of its original chrome plating - a LOT more on the underside around the lugs and beneath the crown.The underlying metal looks like brass, though I understand it's actually an anonymous "basemetal" which could be some other alloy dictated by whichever metals were not crucial to the war effort at the time.

3. There are two screws missing which overlap the movement and case. Need to ID those and look into replacements.

 

Any advice on good steps (if indeed needed) to protect the case and hands against further damage (other than the obvious - not wearing it!)? The hands in particular worry me if it really is rust speckling them. It would be preferable not to take any step that would damage the existing white paint which appears, along with the dial, to be in good shape.

 

I purchased this watch for well under what I was prepared to pay. I've seen A-11s in worse shape in non-running order with narry a movement photo to their name go for over twice what I paid. Talk about patience paying off... At least I can put the savings back into getting this A-11 serviced and obtaining a good strap for it.

 

Pictures when it arrives!

Edited September 17, 2014 by PadraicB