A credit to you for expending the effort to return this movement to health. This is a fairly common movement, with (as you stated) 323,000 made. I think I would have held out for a better one. I too have been guilty in the past of expending for too much effort and ingenuity in resurrecting a basket case, just to see if I could do it. It’s a disease!
Bearing retainer, at last something with which I am familiar. I have to say that in a PM with Jim [the watch belongs to me] I suggested a bush mechanics fix.....Superglue.....not so far off then guys
Coincidentally, I'm working on the other Elgin that was going to be a donor but turned out good enough to restore. While cleaning and inspecting the jewels, I noticed a method of securing the jewels that I've not seen before. Although I once saw an example that was staked in 3 spots by a centre punch, this solution appears to be a factory product. It's also a bit of "belt and braces" because the jewel chaton is held from the other side of the plate by three machine screws.