Pocket Watch Database

Elgin Balance Staffs

The delicate balance staff is one of the parts most frequently destroyed when a watch is dropped or sustains a forceful blow. The tiny pivots on each end of the balance staff are prone to bend and sheer under unreasonable force. When the balance staff is broken, it must be replaced by a staff matching the same dimensions as the original. If a factory-sized staff cannot be purchased, one must be fabricated using a watchmakers lathe.

When purchashing a replacement staff, pay attention to the avialable pivot sizes available. Many manufacturers also slightly modified the staff simensions, leading to some part number available in different variations (small/large collet, old/new style, short/long hub, etc). Keep this in mind when evaluating the avaialble staffs for a watch movement. It is recommended that the old staff be removed a measured prior to purchasing a new staff. Replacing a staff is a skilled operation requiring special tools. Please contacts a reputable watchmaker that specializes in antique watches if you are not equipped to replace a balance staff.


Movement Size   Part Number   Length (mm)   Balance Seat (mm)   Hairspring Seat (mm)   Roller Seat (mm)   Hub (mm)   Pivot Sizes   Image Purchase on eBay
37 861 (New Style) 5.32 1.1 0.81 0.6 0.53 10,11,12,13 Buy Now
37 861C (New Style) 5.32 1.1 0.81 0.6 0.53 10,11,12 Buy Now
16 861 (New Style) 5.32 1.1 0.81 0.6 0.53 10,11,12,13 Buy Now
16 861C (New Style) 5.32 1.1 0.81 0.6 0.53 10,11,12 Buy Now
22 5954 4.15 1.13 0.83 0.53 0.53 9 Buy Now
18 857 (Old Style, Short Hub) 5.97 1.3 0.97 0.6 1.28 13,14 Buy Now
If the Elgin 857 (Old Style, Short Hub) staff is unavailable, there might be interchangeable alternatives. See the interchangeable list.
18 857 (Old Style, Long Hub) 5.97 1.3 0.97 0.6 1.51 13,14 Buy Now
If the Elgin 857 (Old Style, Long Hub) staff is unavailable, there might be interchangeable alternatives. See the interchangeable list.
18 857 (New Style, Short Hub) 6.1 1.3 0.97 0.6 1.28 11,12,13,14,15 Buy Now
If the Elgin 857 (New Style, Short Hub) staff is unavailable, there might be interchangeable alternatives. See the interchangeable list.
18 857 (New Style, Long Hub) 6.1 1.3 0.97 0.6 1.51 11,12,13,14,15 Buy Now
18 857C (New Style, Long Hub) 6.1 1.3 0.97 0.6 1.51 11,12 Buy Now
18 2516C 6.1 1.3 0.81 1.20-.60 1.28 11,12,13 Buy Now
18 1901C 6.5 1.3 0.81 1.20-.60 0.65 11,12,13 Buy Now
18 1902C 6.5 1.3 0.81 0.6 0.9 11,12,13 Buy Now
17 860 7.8 1.3 0.98 0.65 2.4 Buy Now
16 861 (Old Style) 5.2 1.1 0.81 0.6 0.55 10,11,12,13 Buy Now
16
Models: R.R. Model
2532C 5.32 1.1 0.81 1.20-.60 0.4 10,11,12 Buy Now
16 5956 5.32 0.75 0.43 0.62 0.65 14 Buy Now
16 5967 5.35 1.13 0.83 0.62 0.57 11 Buy Now
16 5968 5.35 1.13 0.83 0.62 0.57 14 Buy Now
16 6166C 5.9 1.1 0.79 1.14-.60 0.62 11 Buy Now
16 6167 5.88 1.12 0.82 0.61 0.62 11 Buy Now
12 1905 (Short Hub) 4.16 1.11 0.81 0.55 0.35 10,11,12 Buy Now
If the Elgin 1905 (Short Hub) staff is unavailable, there might be interchangeable alternatives. See the interchangeable list.
12 1905 (Long Hub) 4.16 1.11 0.81 0.55 0.55 10,11,12,13 Buy Now
12 2802 4.16 1.11 0.81 0.55 0.47 9,10,11,12 Buy Now
If the Elgin 2802 staff is unavailable, there might be interchangeable alternatives. See the interchangeable list.
12 4191C 3.65 1.11 0.81 .85-.50 0.5 8,9,10 Buy Now
12 4177 3.65 1.11 0.81 0.55 0.47 10,11,12 Buy Now
12 2660C 4.33 1.11 0.81 .85-.50 0.58 10,11 Buy Now
12 2773C 3.75 1.11 0.81 0.56 0.52 10 Buy Now
12 4006C 3.75 1.11 0.81 .85-.60 0.5 10 Buy Now
12 5317C 4.06 1.11 0.81 0.55 0.5 10 Buy Now
12 4339C 2.67 1.11 0.66 .75-.37 0.26 8 Buy Now
10 5788 3.8 1.12 0.81 0.52 0.45 10 Buy Now
10 867 4.9 1.15 0.81 0.53 0.43 12 Buy Now
If the Elgin 867 staff is unavailable, there might be interchangeable alternatives. See the interchangeable list.
6 868 (Old Style) 4.43 1.12 0.82 0.53 0.35 10,11 Buy Now
If the Elgin 868 (Old Style) staff is unavailable, there might be interchangeable alternatives. See the interchangeable list.
6 868 (New Style) 4.32 1.11 0.81 0.55 0.32 10,11 Buy Now
If the Elgin 868 (New Style) staff is unavailable, there might be interchangeable alternatives. See the interchangeable list.
869 3.7 0.91 0.67 0.43 0.24 8,9,10 Buy Now
If the Elgin 869 staff is unavailable, there might be interchangeable alternatives. See the interchangeable list.
3/0 869 3.7 0.91 0.67 0.43 0.24 8,9,10 Buy Now
If the Elgin 869 staff is unavailable, there might be interchangeable alternatives. See the interchangeable list.
1731 (Old Style) 3.86 0.91 0.67 0.43 0.21 8,9,10 Buy Now
If the Elgin 1731 (Old Style) staff is unavailable, there might be interchangeable alternatives. See the interchangeable list.
4/0 4790 8,9,10 Buy Now
5/0 2661 (Old Style) 7,8 Buy Now
10/0 2661 (Old Style) 7,8 Buy Now
10/0 1907 (Old Style) 7,8 Buy Now
10/0 4136 (New Style) 7 Buy Now
16/0 4136 (New Style) 7 Buy Now
18/0 4136 (New Style) 7 Buy Now
8/0 5664 7.5 Buy Now
8/0 5849 7.5 Buy Now
8/0 5429 7.5 Buy Now
8/0 6455 8 Buy Now
8/0 6432 7.5 Buy Now
15/0 5551 7.5 Buy Now
15/0 6502 7.5 Buy Now
20/0 5040 7 Buy Now
26/0 5040 7 Buy Now
21/0 5388 7.5 Buy Now
21/0 5640 7.5 Buy Now
21/0 6382 7.5 Buy Now
Data Source: Swartchild Balance Staff Charts and Company Material Catalogs
Pocket Watch Balance Staff Diagram