Mechanical Restoration, Repair and Service of the Elgin Father Time Railroad Watch with up-down indicator
The watch featured here is a vintage Elgin “Father Time” Railroad Grade pocket watch with an Up-Down power reserve indicator — a historically significant and mechanically demanding timepiece. When it arrived, it showed critical wear and damage, common in century-old railroad watches, including a broken balance-staff pivot, shattered cap jewels, and a broken seconds wheel pivot. Because of the complexity and rarity of this movement, a detailed, professional overhaul was required to restore its function and preserve its value for future generations.
What Was Wrong: Condition Upon Receipt
- Broken balance-staff pivot — the heart of the movement’s timekeeping system
- Shattered cap jewel and cracked wheel jewel — risking gear misalignment and increased wear
- Damaged seconds-hand wheel pivot
- Cracked Roller Jewel
Restoration Process
Balance Staff Fabrication
The repair began with careful removal of the damaged staff. On the lathe, a new staff was turned to exact dimensions, and fitted into the balance wheel.
Gear Train & Seconds-Wheel Repair
The lower seconds-hand wheel was rebuilt: a minute arbor re-drilled, a new hardened steel pivot installed, and gear train cleaned and realigned to ensure smooth motion and minimize friction.
Roller Jewel Replacement
The roller jewel was also damaged. Repairing this involves finding the proper size jewel, and cementing in place using shellac. This is done using a special tool to hold the balance over an alcohol burner (so no direct heat is applied to the balance that may cause discoloring), and melting the shellac to fix the jewel in place.
Full Disassembly, Cleaning & Lubrication
All parts — train wheels, mainspring barrel, motion works, escapement — were disassembled, cleaned ultrasonically to remove old oils and residue, dried, inspected for wear, then re-assembled using modern, high-grade watch lubricants.
Regulation & Multi-Position Timing
Once reassembled, the movement was regulated carefully and tested across multiple positions. The repaired Elgin returned to stable running — within half a second per day and holding within three seconds across six positions.
Request Your Pocket Watch Evaluation
Do you own a vintage or antique pocket watch in need of repair or restoration? Whether it’s an Elgin, Hamilton, Waltham, or other heirloom, I provide full-service mechanical restoration, precision timing, and custom fabrication of parts when needed.
If you would like to initiate the repair of your vintage timepiece contact me directly, or visit getting started.
For additional information on watches we work on please visit these pages: Vintage Rolex repair— Vintage Breitling repair —Vintage Omega repair — Vintage Heuer repair —Bulova Repair, and Pocket Watch Repair. See my FAQ for additional information, and visit Watch Repair Case Studies.
