A-11 Elgin Watch Evaluation Help

[Edward]

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

thanks! right now it runs beautifully! The person I got it from said It was serviced by the recognized top expert in A-11 watches in the U.S.... silly me didn't ask who that was but perhaps the same person? I'll try to find out... so yes, being almost a 75 year old watch I'm sure it will need to be cleaned and oiled at some point!

 

[Clark J]

Scott is your go to guy for any US WW2 watch. Great guy been friends for years.CJ.

 

[Clark J]

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:

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

I love the 2 FSSCs , both dial colors to boot. That 2987 Hamilton movement is tops !!

 

[EmergencyIan]

^ Thank you! I love them, as well. The Hamiltons run like a top...actually, all of the watches pictured do, but the Hamilton's seem just slightly better or smoother, anyhow. Regarding Scott, he is the best!

- Ian

 

[Carl]

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:

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

If you hear of an Elgin 42 dated piece ! Im in the market for one

 

[EmergencyIan]

If you hear of an Elgin 42 dated piece ! Im in the market for one

Here are links to two. I got most of my watches from this guy. You can trust that these are exactly the way they should be...or exactly as advertised.

https://www.watchmakerscott.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=66_68&product_id=110

https://www.watchmakerscott.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=66_68&product_id=106

- Ian

 

[Carl]

Here are links to two. I got most of my watches from this guy. You can trust that these are exactly the way they should be...or exactly as advertised.

https://www.watchmakerscott.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=66_68&product_id=110

https://www.watchmakerscott.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=66_68&product_id=106

- Ian

Thanks Ian , but sadly those 2 pieces are wayyy out of my price range !
Im not particularly bothered about a "white face"
Many thanks for the info though ! Much appreciated indeed

C

 

[EmergencyIan]

Thanks Ian , but sadly those 2 pieces are wayyy out of my price range !
Im not particularly bothered about a "white face"
Many thanks for the info though ! Much appreciated indeed

C

You're welcome and no problem. However, a '42 Elgin A-11 is going to have a white dial. I believe black dials on the Elgin A-11 came into being in 1943. Additionally, a black dial 43-45 Elgin A-11 is going to cost you significantly less than the white dial 1941-1942 version.

- Ian

 

[dmar836]

If Scott is selling them, they must be right! There are those who say the Elgins must have a black crown wheel, etc. There are many "hacks"(pun intended) on the vintage watch collector forums so buying something for even 40% higher from someone like Scott would put you well ahead of the crowd. You'd be buying high now to own unobtainium in 15yrs. Despite the huge numbers, the "correct" parts to restore many military watches are already rare and competitively sought for the same reason. I just settle for representative pieces so one with mismatched but period parts(as might have been replaced during a routine service) is fine.
JMO,
Dave

 

[Carl]

My mistake regarding the year of the A11 i am looking for .
It is the 43 type .
I have a box of issue for one just missing the watch . So sorry for any confusion

 

[Carl]

Scrub the post above ! It IS a 42 dated one im looking for !
Would be nice to have this filled with the correct timepiece

 

[EmergencyIan]

My mistake regarding the year of the A11 i am looking for .
It is the 43 type .
I have a box of issue for one just missing the watch . So sorry for any confusion

I don’t see any listed on his website, but I know that Scott has 1943-1945 Elgin A-11’s.

- Ian

 

[EmergencyIan]

Neat box, Carl! Well, seems you’re looking for a 1942 ElgIn white dial A-11. I’d still contact Scott. He may be able to help you out, but if you’re serious about wanting the correct watch to with that box, you’re going to pay a bit of money for it. Those white dials are pretty darn scarce. As Dave said, pay a chunk for one today or risk having the box empty for good. These watches aren’t going to become any more prevalent or less expensive. Just something to think about, but don’t fart around, if you’re serious.

- Ian

 

[Carl]

Neat box, Carl! Well, seems you’re looking for a 1942 ElgIn white dial A-11. I’d still contact Scott. He may be able to help you out, but if you’re serious about wanting the correct watch to with that box, you’re going to pay a bit of money for it. Those white dials are pretty darn scarce. As Dave said, pay a chunk for one today or risk having the box empty for good. These watches aren’t going to become any more prevalent or less expensive. Just something to think about, but don’t fart around, if you’re serious.

- Ian

Thanks Ian , i have a couple of items that im prepared to move on to help fund such a piece , i really do appreciate the advice given!
C

 

[EmergencyIan]

Sounds like a good plan, Carl. Keep us posted.

- Ian

 

[Carl]

Sounds like a good plan, Carl. Keep us posted.

- Ian

As soon as i get my privelages upto the alotted amount Ian , i can hopefully entice some of you nice members to part with your hard earned cash

 

[EmergencyIan]

As soon as i get my privelages upto the alotted amount Ian , i can hopefully entice some of you nice members to part with your hard earned cash

My best advice would be to go to Scott McCoy for the 1942. I’ve had mine less than a year and don’t intend to sell it anytime soon. If I were to sell it, I wouldn’t sell it for any less than retail. You may think it’s expensive, but Scott's prices have always been very fair. On top of that, the 1941 and 1942 Elgin A-11’s aren’t a dime a dozen, so you’ll be quite hard pressed to find individuals with ones lying around who are willing to give you a “deal.” You’re going to pay full price for a legitimate example, one way or another, if you’re serious.

I see you’ve obtained many rare, NOS, 75 plus year old pieces, which I’m sure you’ve paid many pretty pennies for...it sounds like you’d do nearly anything to obtain some of these pieces, including selling a kidney (of course, I’m sure that was said in jest). If you really want one of these watches, you’ll go about getting one with integrity, or the entire notion will soon evaporate.

- Ian

 

[Carl]

My best advice would be to go to Scott McCoy for the 1942. I’ve had mine less than a year and don’t intend to sell it anytime soon. If I were to sell it, I wouldn’t sell it for any less than retail. You may think it’s expensive, but Scott's prices have always been very fair. On top of that, the 1941 and 1942 Elgin A-11’s aren’t a dime a dozen, so you’ll be quite hard pressed to find individuals with ones lying around who are willing to give you a “deal.” You’re going to pay full price for a legitimate example, one way or another, if you’re serious.

I see you’ve obtained many rare, NOS, 75 plus year old pieces, which I’m sure you’ve paid many pretty pennies for...it sounds like you’d do nearly anything to obtain some of these pieces, including selling a kidney (of course, I’m sure that was said in jest). If you really want one of these watches, you’ll go about getting one with integrity, or the entire notion will soon evaporate.

- Ian

Thankyou Ian !
Yes some of the items did cost a pretty penny !
But like most things , if you want it bad enough you will pay the price .

Pm sent

 

[Pilot]

I am home in a few days, will check whether I have an Elgin A-11....Surely Bulova, Waltham and Hamilton, ...Elgin unsure. Stay put.

 

[Carl]

Scrub the post above ! It IS a 42 dated one im looking for !
Would be nice to have this filled with the correct timepiece View attachment 4567 View attachment 4568 View attachment 4569

After some digging around in my contract lists , i have found the contract for the A11 that was inside the box shown .

The figure shown 2454 is the value of the contract in $K , would this have been a white face dial A11 after all ??
The photos of those gorgeous white faced dial A11's in the link are from Elgins first contract to the AC

My question is , what date did the white face change to the black face ? When you look at the contract values you can understand that if the contract AC18210 was the only contract with white faces , now commands such a price .