Vintage Elgin M135 Day-Date Diver Watch withAll SS Case, Runs FOR PARTS/REPAIR
FOR PARTS/REPAIR - While the movement has a solid power reserve of approximately 38 hours and keeps accurate time, the crown is finicky. Specifically, when the time is being set the crown wants to unscrew.
When this happens I gently wind the crown counter-clockwise for it to re-engage and then push it in so that its flush with the case. I then turn it counter-clockwise with a little more torque to further tighten it up. There are no issues when winding to generate a power reserve. Given the issue with the crown and considering that the movement appears to have only been serviced once, likely several decades ago, a complete overhaul is required. This vintage M135 Elgin day-date diver has a matte black "Germany" signed dial that is in lovely but not perfect condition, showing difficult to see age-related wear and chipping.The original tritium on the dial and hands, which is fully intact and emits a faint, short-lived glow after being exposed to bright light, has aged to a perfectly matching warm buttermilk patina. The vibrant orange seconds hand complements the patina of the dial and hands nicely. The worn bezel, which rotates bidirectionally, has faded significantly to a subtle pink and baby blue hue. The all stainless steel case, which still retains its original brushed satin finish, shows honest wear with minor signs of oxidation.
The outside of the case back is stamped "Elgin" followed by "Stainless Steel" with the inside of the case back being stamped "Graber" followed by "Switzerland" and 4156. The crystal should be replaced. The 25 jewels "M135" stamped. Automatic movement is clean, keeps accurate time and both the day and date wheels roll over as they should. After recently winding the non-screwdown crown 39 full revolutions the movement had an approximate 38 hour power reserve period.
However, when setting the time the crown wants to unscrew. Given this and considering that the movement appears to have only been serviced once, likely decades ago (there is a lone watchmaker service marking on the inside of the case back) a complete overhaul is required. This watch measures approximately 36 mm excluding the crown, approximately 40 mm including the crown and approximately 19 mm between the lugs. Case thickness, measured from the bottom of the case back to the top of the bezel, is approximately 8.5 mm. Including the crystal case thickness measures approximately 11.5 mm.
This watch comes on a vintage JB Champion Stainless Steel USA bracelet showing moderate wear. It will likely accommodate up to an approximate 7 inch wrist. Given that the crown wants to unscrew and considering that the movement appears to have only been serviced once, likely long ago, a complete overhaul is required. As such there are no warranties, express or implied, attached with the sale of this watch. Vintage means old and while my personal belief is that old-school means better quality and workmanship, things can and do go wrong from time to time.
For this particular watch that time is now. Any servicing costs going forward are your responsibility. And please study the 12 high magnification pictures carefully as they are part of the description and serve as an accurate representation of the condition of this watch.