Elgin 488
Description
At least in Europe, American Elgin movements are rather rare to find. The rectangular Elgin 488 built by serial number in 1934, is no exception.
base plate
Unfortunately, with the exception of the balance section, there are no jewels to be found here, but the bearings are at least not just simple drillings in the base plate, but neatly gripped and plugged.
gear train
The gear train design is classic, with a directly driven central minute wheel, third wheel, fourth wheel and gold-colored escapement wheel.
What is unusual is that the crown wheel is already mounted on the base plate, and not on or under the barrel bridge.
side view of the gear train
The rather large bimetallic screw balance is of course not yet shockprotected. It beats slowly with 18000 A/h, and the effective length of the Breguet hairspring is adjusted using of a long regulator arm.
All seven jewels are to be found in the escapement section: Four for the bearing of the balance wheel axis, one for the ellipse of the balance wheel and the two pallets of the lever.
inside the barrel bridge
Interestingly, the ratchet is on the inside of the barrel bridge.
Elgin 488: Dial side
The Elgin 488 uses a clutch winding mechanism. Besides, you can very nicely adjust the position of the lever banking pins.
Technical data
| Manufacturer: | Elgin |
| Caliber: | 488 |
| Size: | 18/0''' (measured: 15,2 x 23,85mm) |
| A/h: | 18000 |
| Number of jewels: | 7 |
| Escapement: | Pallet lever |
| Balance types: |
bimetallic screw balance (two legs) |
| Shock protection(s): |
none |
| Balance bearing / direction hairspring: | Counterclockwise |
| Moveable stud: | no |
| Adjust mechanism: | Hairspring key |
| Construction: |
|
| Construction type: | solid construction |
| Winding mechanism: | yoke winding system |
| Setting lever spring: | 1 hole(s) |
| Inventory number: | 21043 |
Usage gallery
Elgin gents watch (case missing)