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Vintage Elgin 8-Day Auto Dashboard Clock Stem Wind Subsecond Dial Project
Please see all photos for exact condition... The internal mechanism and movements present in pristine shape however the main spring appears to be stuck and we could not get this clock to run but it sets the time without a problem.
Dial & Hands:Off-white/cream dial marked \"ELGIN 8 DAYS\" with a sub-seconds dial positioned below the 12 o\'clock mark. Features a fine hairline mark on the dial face located between the 6 and 7 numerals. Black spade-style hour and minute hands along with the small sub-second hand are present and intact. Minor aging, light toning, and slight dust inside the crystal.
Glass / Crystal:Glass crystal is intact without major cracks, showing minor surface wear.
Case & Bezel:Nickel or chrome-plated round bezel shows light patina, tarnish, and surface scratches consistent with age.
Back Housing:Heavy paint loss, surface flaking, oxidation, and wear to the rear metal casing and mounting flange (featuring mounting screw holes).
Stem & Knob:Extended lower stem with knurled winding knob present and attached. Untested for mechanical timekeeping or running condition; sold as-is for restoration or display.
Please see all photos for exact condition-the internal mechanism presents in pristine shape however the main spring appears to be stuck and we could not get this clock to run. Dial & Hands: Off-white/cream dial marked \"ELGIN 8 DAYS\" with a sub-seconds dial positioned below the 12 o\'clock mark. Features a fine hairline mark on the dial face located between the 6 and 7 numerals. Black spade-style hour and minute hands along with the small sub-second hand are present and intact. Minor aging, light toning, and slight dust inside the crystal. Back Housing: Heavy paint loss, surface flaking, oxidation, and wear to the rear metal casing and mounting flange (featuring mounting screw holes). Stem & Knob:Extended lower stem with knurled winding knob present and attached. Sold as-is for restoration or display.
Up for sale is a vintage antique Elgin 8-Day automobile dashboard clock featuring a classic cream dial with a fine hairline between 6 and 7, bold Arabic numerals, top sub-seconds register, and a long extended stem with a knurled winding knob. Designed to mount directly into early 1920s to 1930s car or truck instrument panels, these mechanical timepieces were high-end automotive accessories during the golden era of American motoring.
Founded in 1864 in Elgin, Illinois, the Elgin National Watch Company was one of the premier American manufacturers of pocket watches, wristwatches, and precision dash clocks. Their 8-day mechanical movements were renowned for quality and reliability, allowing drivers to wind the clock once a week. Today, early stem-wound 8-day Elgin dash clocks with sub-second registers are sought-after collectibles among vintage car restorers, automobilia collectors, and horology enthusiasts.
Additional information----The term \"8-day\" refers directly to the power reserve of the clock\'s mechanical movement—meaning it is engineered to run continuously for roughly eight days on a single full winding.
Historically, this was a major engineering and convenience feature:
The \"Once-a-Week\" Routine: Standard household and early vehicle clocks of the 19th and early 20th centuries were frequently 30-hour (1-day) movements that required daily winding. An 8-day mainspring allowed owners to wind the clock just once a week (often on a Sunday, ensuring a safety margin so it wouldn\'t die if neglected for a day or two).
