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Not exactly 'watchmaking' but need some advice

TorontoTim
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I have a few old quartz watches amongst the herd of automatics and manual winds.

Most have standard threaded backs easily removed.

But this Elgin Swissonic model is different and I'd rather not make a mess of it trying to access the battery.

Any thoughts on removing the battery cover / case back?

IMG_4084.webp IMG_4086.webp
 
rendo
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I'm just guessing here until someone who knows about these watches chimes in. That battery cover looks like it's for marking when the battery was replaced last, not necessarily to replace it. I would look around the caseback to see if you see a notch to stick a case knife in.

I believe this is a pre-quartz watch with an actual balance wheel. Did it tick when it was working?
 
sheepdoll
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Interesting looking watch. I have a fondness for dynamics, so it is interesting to see other takes on the design.

Could be a front loader. Which would be why there is no way to remove the back cover.

The 12 numbers on the battery cover seem odd. Combination lock, 9L, 3R, 2? If I had it I would try a rubber ball first. Not sure I would want to pry it though. The triangle looks like it is meant to be turned to that point.

Might be an electric watch which was a hybrid, where the battery rewound a small mainspring. I think there was a version what used a single transistor and contact switch to impulse the balance.

Hopefully we will have luck and someone else has seen one of these.
 
Dan S
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The engraving is unusual, "In memory of ..."
 
TorontoTim
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Appreciate all the input - will pop it open. Next up is finding a band to fit the curved case. I tried a standard 19mm and can’t get the strap in far enough for the pins to set. I can’t find much online to tell what it might have originally been paired with but will sort it out once I know it works.
 
TorontoTim
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Got it opened and put a fresh battery in. Interestingly there was no battery in place - perhaps someone took it out as a preventative measure.

Now I just need to sort out a strap for it. Needs curved pins, which I don't have handy so will need to source some and find a strap for it.

IMG_4129.webp IMG_4128.webp
 
Mkewatch
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Hi, do you have the curve pins?

Other options you can try is a nato strap and see if that fits.

Regads

Jorge
 
TorontoTim
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I haven’t found any images of this watch in its original configuration so it’s hard to tell what to do with it.

First I need some curved pins which of course I’ll have to buy 100 of to get 2. Then it seems people use a straight leather strap. I haven’t found much in the way of curved straps out there.

I’m going to take it to my watch maker when I pick up my Seikos he’s servicing and see if he has a set of curved pins for me and any advice.
 
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