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Posted 12 months ago
pw-collector
(476 items)
Not a pocket watch but a Timer made by Elgin Nat'l Watch Co. with serial # 42359427, which if the same serial number table used for pocket watches, would date this around 1942-43. I was told one time that these were called 'bomb timers' used during WW II.
Inside the movement cover marked in a circle is:
Cased and timed by Elgin Nat'l Watch Co. Illinois Watch Case Co. Elgin Nickel.
Bottom of case at hinge is marked: I.W.C. Co. Base Metal
The sticker on the back is printed:
OVERHAULED BY
O&R DEPT. NAS NI
JAN. 63
I was told O&R DEPT. NAS NI stood for:
Ordinance & Repair Naval Air Station North Island (which is located in Coronado, CA.)
Any futher / different comments on the timer will be appreciated.
Thanks for looking on this Memorial Day Weekend,
Dave
Elgin Pocket WatchesThe rich history of the Elgin National Watch Company (originally the Nation…
World War TwoThe events and battles of World War II played out on every continent of the…
Hi Dave,
I have seen a lot of these but I have to admit that I have never seen one quite like yours. It doesn't have a bow, which leads me to believe that your watch was not meant to be carried but attached to something by the giant screw on the caase back. Possibly on something close to the bombardier or navigator.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Jim
Thanks Jim,
I also was told by another person a few years ago the same thing. That it appeared the timer was made to attach to a fixed surface - remove the screw at the end of the knob and remove the knob, and the post and guide pin would fit into corresponding holes in the surface. The knob would be reattached from the rear, and the spring would keep it under tension.
Thanks for your observation. Very much appreciated.
Dave
Thanks AR8Jason for the correction on the department & the history of the Naval Air Station.
Dave
AR8Jason,
I don't know about all these technical questions!
If you wind it, it ticks like a watch (not a humming sound like I've read about in 'Elgin Jitterbugs' ?).
The hand doesn't start moving until you push down on the crown. After it counts 60 seconds the small dial hand moves from the 30 (start point) to the one mark (clockwise) and counts up as long as you hold the crown down. If you let up on the crown both hands return back to 30.
I have tried double clicking the crown, but as soon as you let up, it reverts back to 30 mark and stops.
I hope this ansewers your questions,
Dave
Thanks,
I will be looking forward to any new discoveries.
Dave
Hi Dave,
I have looked in all my military watch books as well as my Elgin books plus I have searched on-line at some of the better military sites and could not find the exact watch with a screw on the back. You may have a very scarce watch, which will take some more research.
Jim
Thanks Jim for all your efforts. Will be interested if you find more information.
Would you like more photos? If so, let me know what you would like closeup photos of. Never thought much about this watch/timer before. It just sets in the case with my old car clocks. Thought I would post it because of being Memorial Day weekend. Really glad I did now. Thanks for your help.
Dave
AR8Jason, thanks for the link. Very interesting. Maybe I should join chapter 185 and show mine.
Thanks again,
Dave
Thanks BELLIN68, kerry10456, gearpunk & toolate2 for the appreciation.
Dave
Thanks musikchoo for the appreciation.
Dave
THE MAIN BIT OF INFORMATION is being missed. Though it was stated, I will bring it up again because ever with 1500 watches restored last year, and 35 thousand pics online, i have only held and restored only one.
THE TIMER ONLY WORKS WHEN THE CROWN IS HELD DOWN AND RESETS WHEN RELEASED. NO START STOP RESET FUNCTIONS BE DESIGN.
1) the movement is the same as A-8 with the exception of two items
1a) AS-8
the balance/escapement 10 seco0nd dial tiny "jitterbug sound making- b) this model is standard.
1b) this model has standard balance/escapement and has 60 second dial --i have not seen higher or a 30 second dial
2a) A-8 has a Column Wheel". The column wheel is like the name says, a plate with columns on it. It serves as a switch between start, stop and reset functions. so, when you push the crown down it start, push again it stops, push again, it resets.
2b) this model has no column wheel no start stop reset function of any kind.
i had both watch movements and compared them. I never saw the locking object on the back of the case. thus this model had to be mounted and some how operated through contact .. which is confusing.
THUS THE FACT IS THE ONLY WAY THIS TIMER WORKS IS TO PRESS AND HOLD THE CROWN . AND WHEN YOU RELEASE IT IT RESETS.
THE QUESTION BECOMES : WHAT WOULD THIS BE USED FOR.
GOLDSMITHWORKS,
Thanks for the comments and information. The mounting mechanism on the back seems to me a mystery.
Dave
How about timing torpedoes if it's navy.
Thanks blunderbuss2 for the appreciation and comment.
Dave
Thanks mustangtony & gale50 for the appreciation.
Dave