A client has sent in his Elgin 17. The Elgin watch company are mostly remembered as an american watch manufacture, but by 1968 no more watches where made in U.S.A. This Elgin was made in Germany around that time. The movement is an interesting PUW (Pforzhiemer Ure-Rohwerke) that I will give a total score in this post.
The watch was not running very well and with good reason, the movement was full of dirt. I took the movement apart and cleaned it. The autowinder bridge was badly scratched and the bushes for the autowinder wheels worn. Lucky for us parts are still available and not very expensive. An extra bonus was the replacement bridge was also fully jewelled. See all service photos here.
In reviewing I will only review the movement in this instance as dial, hands and cases will differ a lot depending on the brand that used it.
- Made approximately from: 1960-1966 in West Germany
- Power reserve 39h
- From 17 to 25 Jewels
- Date
- 18000 B/A
Surface finish is utilitarian with no decoration. Screws are polished and of acceptable finish. The bridges are finished with rhodium plating. Balance has full shock protection.
Top surface finish on plates: 6 Points
Surface finish on screws: 6 Points
Surface finish on ratchet and ratchet wheel: 4 Points
Movement Jeweling on basic model: 5 Points 8 on fully jewelled
The movement is designed to be a centre second movement and quite modern for its time. Autowinder construction is well made, but I can see it being prone to wear and debris falling into base movement.
Movement design innovation (for ca 1966): 7 points
Autowinder design: 6 points
The PUW base plate has no decoration, but the finish is decent. Winding, date and setting mechanisms are well made, but with a low finish on the screws. Gear train has a good finish. Setting the time feels balanced. Date change is a little sluggish.
Base plate finish: 5 Points
Setting and winding mechanism: 6 Points
Date change snappiness: 4 Points
Gear-train finish: 7 Points
Movement durability: 6 Points
The PUW movement in question is accurate and keeping decent time with some variation depending on position.
Accuracy: 7points
Power reserve of 39 hours is acceptable
Power reserve: 7 Points
PUW calibre 1261 points summary:
Top surface finish on plates: 6
Surface finish on screws: 6
Surface finish on ratchet and ratchet wheel: 4
Movement Jeweling: 5-8
Movement innovative design for ca 1966: 7
Autowinder design: 6
Total bonus points: 0
Base plate finish: 5
Setting and winding mechanism: 6
Date change snappiness: 4
Gear-train finish: 7
Movement durability: 6
Accuracy: 7
Power reserve: 7
Grand total: 76-79*
*Fully jeweled
If I could give points for being interesting I would as it’s a cool and unusual movement. My recommendation is to find a fully jewelled version. Happy hunting!
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