WWII Elgin Navy timer

heifetz17 · Nov 302019

Hopefully this is the right area. I just though I would share this! It's an Elgin timer stamped on the back Bureau of Ordnance and the serial number dates it to 1943. I got it in non-running condition and have since taken it apart and restored it and it runs quite well now. I thought it was neat to see how these old stop watches worked back in the day!

musicguy · Nov 302019

Nice Elgin timerI've owned a few of these over the years.
Here's one of mine grade 582 like yours its circa 1943

Rob

GeneJockey · Nov 302019

The Elgin Timer is not really a stop watch in the standard sense. Stop watches stop and start the train and escapementwhereas the Elgin Timer's train and escapement run as long as it's wound. The stopping and starting of the hands is accomplished using what is essentially column wheel chronograph works under the dial.

I have two of thesethe minute timer like yours and the 10 second timer like Rob's. I enjoy them because they give fumble-fingered amateurs like myself a chance to inspect and play with chronograph works without the expense and risk of buying a chronograph!

Jim Haney · Nov 302019

These were nicknamed jitterbugs because of the noise the small balance wheel makes because the rate is 144,000 BPH vs a regular watch beat of 18000 BPH

General thread on timers or chronographs

PW Collector · Dec 12019

This is the Elgin Timer I have.
Serial No. 42359427
Grade 469
Model 2
Mfg. Est.: 1944
16 size
7 jewels
On the sticker on the back coverunder the large knobreads (description in parenthesis):
OVERHAULED BY
O&R DEPT. (Ordinance & Repair Department) NAS (Naval Air Station) NI (North Island)
JAN. 63
North Island was commissioned a Naval Air Station in 1917 and called Naval Air Station San Diego (located at the end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay) until 1955. Then it was changed toNaval Air Station North Island.
Dave

WWII Elgin Navy timer

heifetz17

musicguy

Moderator

GeneJockey

Jim Haney

PW Collector

Registered User

Similar threads

Find member

Latest posts

Staff online

All Online

Forum statistics