The 1897 Corliss Stem Wind and Setting Mechanism – Inspecting an Elgin Grade 155

Today, we take a look under the dial of an Elgin Grade 155, originally introduced in 1896. The pendant setting mechanism was a patented design created by Charles Pelatiah Corliss, model maker at the Elgin National Watch Company factory for nearly three decades. Corliss was responsible for many of the innovations that came out of the Elgin factory. His setting mechanism was a simple and elegant solution, worthy of implementation in Elgin’s new thin model.

One of the primary benefits was a cam along the perimeter of the plate that provided the ability for the movement “to be readily changed from setting position for the convenience of running the movement for time when disconnected from a case.”