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A-11 Elgin Watch Evaluation Help

Cobblers161

Well-Known Member
Hi Folks,

I'm looking to raise some funds and may be selling off an Elgin A-11 so I'm wondering if any of you can give me an idea as to:

a) the authenticity of the piece and it's components and
b) a ballpark value figure.

I've had a look online and have dated the workings to 1944 which fits the casing (Dustproof model) however the second hand doesn't have the darker rear tip but does have the curvature at the front tip (something not found on repro parts).

As for the "Elgin" on the face I have only seen this on a handful of models.

Any help is greatly appreciated as always.









 
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Cobblers161

Well-Known Member
Also……. I have a Waltham A-11 in need of a service so if anyone can recommend a good Watch Repairer please let me know.
 

blackrat2

Well-Known Member
Hi Steve
There is a repairer up from the Dennis roundabout near the A3 in Guildford
Have sent my watch to a guy the details I could get but not sure how you feel about putting it in post
 

blackrat2

Well-Known Member
Give me a couple of days Steve,had the address for repairer but clearly the boss has had a good clear up
 

EmergencyIan

Active Member
There is a guy here in Austin, TX who is considered the expert repairman on U.S. WWII watches, but I suspect that you fellas wouldn't be interested in sending your watches that far.

I got all of these watches from him:

W7ThaV4.jpg


Left to right: Elgin 554 Ord Dept sub-second, Hamilton USN Aviator 987s, Hamilton USMC 2987, Elgin A-11 1941 white dial, Bulova 1943 A-11 sterling silver case, Elgin USMC sweep second watch, Elgin 1945 A-11 NOS and a Waltham Ord. sub-second.


- Ian
 

Edward

Well-Known Member
amazing collection! for me the prize is that Elgin A-11 1941 white dial! lucky you!
I just recently purchased an Elgin A-11 539 (case is early 1943 / movement is 1944) with a PX sold leather wristband and it came with a NOS 2-piece military issue canvas wristband (sewn eyelets) so I can switch it out to appear as when it was issued. its in pretty good shape and runs well... but mostly I just got it to go with my A-2 jacket because as I see it, these two items go hand in hand! :D (now you need to add an Elgin 24 hour face to the collection!)

IMG_7080.JPG
 
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EmergencyIan

Active Member
amazing collection! for me the prize is that Elgin A-11 1941 white dial! lucky you!
I just recently purchased an Elgin A-11 539 (case is early 1943 / movement is 1944) with a PX sold leather wristband and it came with a NOS 2-piece military issue canvas wristband (sewn eyelets) so I can switch it out to appear as when it was issued. its in pretty good shape and runs well... but mostly I just got it to go with my A-2 jacket because as I see it, these two items go hand in hand! :D (now you need to add an Elgin 24 hour face to the collection!)

View attachment 1331


The 1941 Eglin white dial A-11 is rare, that's for certain. I think the most rare watch pictured is the Hamilton USMC aviator watch with the 2987 movement. Only 2926 of those were manufactured, according to Hamilton's records. So, it's that watch followed by the Elgin 1941 and the Hamilton Navy aviator watch, then the Elgin USMC. That Bulova sterling silver cased A-11 is quite rare, as well. At this point, no one really seems to know why Bulova made sterling silver cases for some of their A-11's. It's probably just a wartime 'using metal that they had at the very moment.' This was mid-war (U.S. involvement) 1943 issue. It's great that Bulova did this, however, since most of their nickel plated cases have NOT held up well over the years. They tend to hold up far worse than other nickel plated cases from Elgin and Waltham. I'm not sure why that's the case, but it is. At the bottom of the list in rarity and value are the Elgin and Waltham Ord. sub-second watches. They're still relatively common. In saying that, the two pictured above are very nice, well made time pieces.

- Ian
 

Edward

Well-Known Member
The 1941 Eglin white dial A-11 is rare, that's for certain. I think the most rare watch pictured is the Hamilton USMC aviator watch with the 2987 movement. Only 2926 of those were manufactured, according to Hamilton's records. So, it's that watch followed by the Elgin 1941 and the Hamilton Navy aviator watch, then the Elgin USMC. That Bulova sterling silver cased A-11 is quite rare, as well. At this point, no one really seems to know why Bulova made sterling silver cases for some of their A-11's. It's probably just a wartime 'using metal that they had at the very moment.' This was mid-war (U.S. involvement) 1943 issue. It's great that Bulova did this, however, since most of their nickel plated cases have NOT held up well over the years. They tend to hold up far worse than other nickel plated cases from Elgin and Waltham. I'm not sure why that's the case, but it is. At the bottom of the list in rarity and value are the Elgin and Waltham Ord. sub-second watches. They're still relatively common. In saying that, the two pictured above are very nice, well made time pieces.

- Ian

great info! thanks! I'm new to the watch scene and was only partially familiar with some of your time pieces. my budget would only allow for a common A-11 (and just barely at that! :D )
 

EmergencyIan

Active Member
great info! thanks! I'm new to the watch scene and was only partially familiar with some of your time pieces. my budget would only allow for a common A-11 (and just barely at that! :D )
The Elgin A-11 that you currently own is splendid! You're good! If you need it serviced now or in the future, I know a guy in Austin Texas who is the expert and go-to guy for repairing and servicing WWII watches. He's a really good person with the highest integrity on top of that.

- Ian
 
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