Rescuing an Elgin Model 3 Grade 303

This watch had been its owner's family since new and is yet another example of sentimental value trumping market value.

It was, as the photos will show, in pretty sad shape.  The silver-plated brass dial was destroyed, the hands were rusted and more than one ham-fisted "hurry up and get it done" type of watchmaker had been inside it.  The case had suffered serious damage as well, with multiple scars from an attempt to pry off the screwed-on bezel and caseback.  There were also notches cut into the mid-case on either side of the pendant (I could not even guess why).

With no small amount of luck, I found a new old stock dial so the decision was made to make the rest of the watch deserving of it.

The watch as it came in...

The case is gold-plated brass.  After disassembling it, I welded up the damaged areas and then reworked and polished the case.  I then replated it in 14K gold, as it was originally.

The balance cock was scarred by a carelessly wielded screwdriver.  Since a correct replacement was readily available, that was the route that I went.

The crown wheel, its bearing and the ratchet wheel were rust pitted.  The pitting was lapped out and I refinished the wheels.

The rust and pitting were removed from the hands, then they were polished and reblued.

The movement was cleaned, inspected and lubed, a new mainspring installed and all of the screw heads were cleaned up.  The finished watch looks much more presentable, and most importantly, it runs correctly.