how to open hamilton pocket watch

Many still work, but you’ll pay a pretty penny for those in great condition. Occasionally, a watch movement intended for a hunting case (with the winding stem at 3:00 and sub second dial at 6:00) will have an open-faced case. It says HAMILTON on the face and is a 16-size, 21-jewel pocket watch manufactured around 1908. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theoldtimey_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',112,'0','0']));In 1950, Hamilton released the 992B model, which was a commemorative model based on the original. Doing so will quickly wear out the spot on the case-rim where the latch engages, especially if you're lucky enough to have a solid gold case. Some of them would require a snap-off on the latch. Cases could be made of a wide variety of metals: gold, sterling silver, coin silver (made from melted US coinage), nickel, and plated brass. Great American Railroad Pocket Watch The Watch of Railroad Accuracy Hamilton Watch Company, Grade 992B. Like the 916, several dial and case combinations were available directly from Hamilton. When looking for the number on your watch you should be looking at the serial number on the movement, not the case. If you’re in the market for a vintage Hamilton watch, you’ll find plenty of them around. Have recently inherited a Hamilton open face which I think may be a 944 model. Waltham 18s side-winder in hinged front and back karat case. The face features “Hamilton Watch Co” in a beautiful scripted font. In this section, you will find a nice selection of vintage railroad-grade Hamilton pocket watches that are typically considered gent's size, although in many cases would also be appropriate for a woman to carry. The swing-ring case was advertised as the most dust-proof and moisture-proof case of its time. The Hamilton Watch Company succeeded from three other watch manufacturers in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This is how to take it apart for repairs or fix. Runs well. © 2021 The Old Timey | As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. if it won't "click" from one position to the other, then you likely have a broken sleeve. 18 size movements eventually gave way to slightly smaller 16 size movements and one of the lower priced 17 jewel 16 size movements is the 974. Determine the Type of Pocket Watch. American Waltham 18s in Crescent swing-out case. To open the watch, you depress the crown (the winding knob) which is connected through a spring to the latch. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theoldtimey_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',121,'0','0']));Most Broadway Limited pocket watches are 16-size, 17-jewel watches. For the first fifteen years, they only manufactured an 18-size and a 16-size. When closing a hunter-case watch, it's important that you don't "snap" the case-lid shut. There might be alignment marks or pins that have to be in the right places. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. To wind a key wind / key set pocket watch, you'll need to carefully pry it's rear case cover open to reveal a port hole that will accommodate it's winding key. The steel latch is much harder than either the soft gold of a karat case, or even the gold-plated brass of a gold-filled case. A snap-off case back is fully detachable from the case body, just like a screw-off case back. Some of them would require a snap-off on the latch. If you attempt to swing the movement up and out of the case, you will feel resistance when you start bending the stem sideways. Unlike pocket watches that can be opened by hand, wrist watches have six notches around the edge of the case back. $789.97. Illustration of setting a Hamilton pendant-set pocket watch Common Problems with Pendant-Set Watches If your pendant-set watch won't "hold" in either the winding or setting position i.e. I picked up a 914 a long time ago and it's been sitting on my bench with some other pocket watches, patiently awaiting it's turn at the spa. He founded the town of Lancaster and was the original owner of the land where the factory was built. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'theoldtimey_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',105,'0','0']));Along the way, they produced many different types of watches. $789.97. The second hand is positioned where the VI would go. I like to get the case back "hooked" on the rim on one side, and then using my thumbs slide around the perimeter of the case while applying downward pressure. So to close the cover on a hunter-case watch: first depress the latch button, then close the cover with your fingers on the edge of the cover, then release the latch button. The Hamilton Watch Company is a Swiss manufacturer of wristwatches based in Bienne, Switzerland.Founded in 1892 as an American company, Hamilton Watch Company ended American manufacture in 1969. Their first watch was an 18-size pocket watch with 17 jewels. This 16-size, 21-jewel pocket watch features ornate scrollwork on the casing and was manufactured around 1908. The Hamilton 992 is the most successful of all Hamilton pocket watch movements. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theoldtimey_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',120,'0','0']));The Lancaster Watch Company was bought out by Abram Bitner, who started the Keystone Standard Watch Company. Just a little side to side wiggle of the blade is usually enough to pop it open. If we want to open the watch case so that we can see the movement (the working parts) of the watch, then we've got to figure out what kind of case it is. The Elgin pocket watch is a timepiece of fine class and expensive taste. They released their first watch in 1893. It’s an 18-size, 17-jewel watch. There are different ways to open these pocket watches. They feature the name HAMILTON displayed prominently on the face. Make Offer - Hamilton Model 972 Pocket Watch - 16S, 17J, Stem Wind, Lever Set, Open Face Model 5 992B 16s Hamilton Railway Special 21j RR Pocket Watch 10K Gold Filled $545.00 What does "Adjusted to Temperature and Positions" mean? We hope we can provide answers to some of the more common questions you may have about your vintage watch, and help you learn more about this fascinating area of American history. Sizes ranged from ladies 0-sizes up through 18-size, Hamilton's largest movements. It's probably one of four most common types: a screw-off back, a snap-off back, a hinged back, or a swing-out case. Web Design: Image Renaissance Digital Media. But here's where most folks get in trouble. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the Hamilton Watch Company eventually became integrated into the Swatch Group, the world's largest watch manufacturing and … Weekly and Horological Review, March 13, 1901. This is how to take it apart for repairs or fix. As with a snap-off case, a careful examination of the rim of the case back will almost always reveal a little notch or wide-spot in the rim where you can insert a case-knife or very strong thumbnail to open the back. $9.10 shipping. She enjoys spending time with her family and the great outdoors. The inside of the c… The watches are encased with a plain, solid back and a clear cover on the face. Most of the time, the bezel is hinged as well. Their first series of pocket watches was called the Broadway Limited and was known as the “Watch of Railroad Accuracy.”. PocketwatchRepair.com, Pocketwatch 101™, ElginWatchRepair.com, HamiltonWatchRepair.com. Have recently inherited a Hamilton open face which I think may be a 944 model. If you own a modern, battery-powered quartz Hamilton Watch, you should know that it has no connection to the original Hamilton Watch Company. Site Copyright: D. Stuart, Renaissance Watch Repair © 2002 - 2018. An open-faced, or Lépine, watch, is one in which the case lacks a metal cover to protect the crystal. The Hamilton 992 is the most successful of all Hamilton pocket watch movements. The case body and back are made as one piece, so there is no separation between the case back and the case body. Get the best deals on Hamilton Pocket Watch Pocket Watches with Vintage when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theoldtimey_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',110,'0','0']));These are some of the most collectible pocket watches Hamilton made, and they’re highly sought after by collectors everywhere. No amount of bending and twisting of the case lid and hinges is going to make the latch hold once the case rim is worn out. These cases were also called "swing-ring" or "swinging ring" cases by their original manufacturer, the Crescent Watch Case Company. Hamilton Pocket Watch Serial Numbers Use this table to look up the serial number of your Hamilton Pocket Watch and hence the year of manufacture. The inside of the back is typically stamped with the silver’s patented date. I disassemble a Hamilton 992 pocket watch. Often there's a little notch opposite the hinge where you can insert a thumbnail or case-knife to lift up the movement. The case is made of a silver ore. Once again, the back is plain and the cover on the front is clear, giving visibility to the face without opening it up. Steel latch catches on the rim of the front cover of the case. The new 992B movement first came into product, in June 27, 1940. 18 size movements eventually gave way to slightly smaller 16 size movements and one of the lower priced 17 jewel 16 size movements is the 974. The hinge is usually found at the 6:00 position, unless it's a "side-winder" watch (as in the photo below) in which case the hinge will be at the 9:00 position. During World War II, they dropped their consumer products and focused on their business model to serve the allied military forces. If the watch has a snap case, carefully open it with a flat, blunt blade to examine the movement for dirt, grime or tampering. Get the best deals on Hamilton Pocket Watches 1910-1919 when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. The transformation into the Hamilton Watch Co was made in late 1892 when Charles Rood and Henry Cain formed the company and soon the first Hamilton Pocket Watch rolled off the production line. or Best Offer. The look of an elgin watch is as important as its function. Some of the most notable were the watches they shipped overseas during World War II, when commercial watch manufacturing ceased. It's one of the last old-fashioned watches that's made by hand. If you force it, as many people oddly seem to believe is the right way to proceed, you will almost certainly break the stem, and then you will no longer be able to wind or set the watch. Keystone had a patented dust proof watch design that they created with a mica window covering the opening in the plate of the movement. Experiences over things is her mantra, and she loves rustic farmhouse decor, wood burning stoves, and old-timey practices that need to make a dramatic comeback. Sometimes the clearance between the case lid and the crystal is VERY small, and we've seen many a broken crystal from someone closing their hunter case with a big ol' thumb pushing down right in the middle of the case-lid. It said HAMILTON RAILWAY SPECIAL on the face and rested in a 10K gold filled case. Sizes ranged from ladies 0-sizes up through 18-size, Hamilton's largest movements. The Hamilton watch company began business in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in … But if it doesn't open easily, don't force it or you'll break the stem. IllinoisWatchRepair.com, WalthamWatchRepair.com are registered trademarks. During the railroad expansion leading up to World War I, Hamilton manufactured pocket watches and owned 56% of the market. Reproduced from Jewelers' Circular. When looking for the number on your watch you should be looking at the serial number on the movement, not the case. To open a swing-out case, you first remove the front bezel and crystal, which is almost always a screw-off front. I disassemble a Hamilton 992 pocket watch. If you carefully examine the rim of the case, where the back meets the body, you'll usually find a small notch, just large enough to allow you to get the edge, not the tip, of your knife in the notch. 5 out of 5 stars (3) $ 299.00 FREE shipping Favorite Add to Hamilton 992 21j 16s Railroad pocket watch running antiquewatches4u. You adjust the wrench so that the three teeth fit snugly into three of the grooves of the watch-back and turn counter-clockwise to open. It was in nice shape and … Found an article on the internet about how to open and set it, but it honestly didn't make a lot of sense to a watch novice. In 1950, Hamilton released the 992B model, which was a commemorative model based on the original. Sarah is a God-fearing wife and mother of four. The 992B pocket watch movment is an improved version of the 992 but it did not sell as much because in the 1940's, when the 992B came to the market, the trend was already going towards wrist watches. Testament to the quality of the watches it produced is the fact that most of its watches ended up being bought for use on the railways. The 992B pocket watch movment is an improved version of the 992 but it did not sell as much because in the 1940's, when the 992B came to the market, the trend was already going towards wrist watches. or Best Offer. Great American Railroad Pocket Watch The Watch of Railroad Accuracy Hamilton Watch Company, Grade 992B. Do this while sitting comfortably with the watch held low over a table or a padded surface so that it's not going to fall a long way if you accidentally drop it. The only exceptions to this are the related or subsidiary brands, like Illinois (discussed further on the “About Hamilton” page).The case back can also provide insight into the manufacturer. This watch is a fantastic timepiece, well make and just a real beauty. While there’s no magical formula for quickly identifying Hamilton watches, identification is simplified significantly by the fact that Hamilton named their models and, for the most part, stuck to unique names. It’s much less likely that these still work if you find them, but they’re definitely vintage. A Collector's Guide, 7 Best Pocket Watches for Vintage Timekeeping, A Guide to Vintage Walkie-Talkies and Two-Way Radios, 7 Types of Clocks for Vintage and Antique Collectors, Types of Rocking Chairs: History and Identification, Your Guide to the History & Return of Vintage Electric Fans, 6 Best Vintage Shaving Kits for an Authentic Feel, 17 Old-Timey Sayings We Still Love to Use Today, The Poodle Skirt: Vintage Fashion Spotlight, History of the 35mm: The Original Compact Camera, An Overview of Underwood Typewriter Models, 7 Essential Shoe Making Supplies for the Modern Cobbler. More people damage their watches trying to open swing-ring cases than any other case style. The Hamilton Watch Company was incorporated in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theoldtimey_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',111,'0','0']));Each number is a Roman numeral, the minutes are identified with black tick marks, and every five minute interval is marked with a red number. Many times, hinged case backs have both an inner and outer metal cover. Join our free newsletter for updates about vintage and retro items we think you'll love. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images News/Getty Images Using the magnifying glass or loupe will help identify the age the Hamilton watch. The winding stem, which connects the winding knob (the crown) to the watch mechanism, is still engaged in the movement. Hamilton watches are relatively easier to identify than the products of many other manufacturers. This example uses a Hamilton 992B Railway Special, but the instructions are very similar for any lever-set pocket watch. Now pay attention, because the swing-out case is the trickiest of the bunch. Vintage Pocket Watch-Hamilton 974 16s Circa 1913 w/Star 14k Gold Filled Hinged-Back Case. $9.10 shipping. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theoldtimey_com-box-4','ezslot_4',107,'0','0']));In 1891, Keystone merged with a watch company out of Illinois called Aurora Watch Company.Hamilton Watch Co., Lancaster (Image Credit: Niagara / CC BY-SA). They continued American operations until 1969, when they were bought by the largest watch manufacturing company in the world, the Swatch Group. If you try to swing the movement out and it catches partway and doesn't want to come out, try wiggling and turning the winding crown a bit to see if it will come free. This type of pocketwatch case is best opened with a case opening tool, or a watchmaker's case-knife. When opening the cover of a HC watch, hold the watch in your right hand with the crown under your right thumb and with your left hand over the cover. Get the best deals on Hamilton Pocket Watches 1910-1919 when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. The first wristwatch was made in 1917 and was a 0-size, 17-jewel, 983 movement marketed to men, even though the design was originally intended for women’s pendant watches. PocketTime. It says HAMILTON on the face and is a 16-size, 21-jewel pocket watch manufactured around 1908. It is based on the Hamilton 992B movement with the chronograph function added. They switched over to manufacturing only wrist watches after World War I. There are different ways to open these pocket watches. This simple habit will save you from a costly case or crystal repair down the road. The new 992B movement first came into product, in June 27, 1940. And don't force anything! The transformation into the Hamilton Watch Co was made in late 1892 when Charles Rood and Henry Cain formed the company and soon the first Hamilton Pocket Watch rolled off the production line. Hold the watch in dial-up position. So the answer is simple: just be sure to pull the crown and stem out into the "setting position" before trying to swing-out the movement. This is the most common way to deal with it. Because Hamilton built watches so well, many work, even if they were heavily used. Whatever you do, don't force it. It is typical for an open-faced watch to have the pendant located at 12:00 and the sub-second dial located at 6:00. Hamilton made a variety of pocket watch movements after the turn of the last century. Modern Hamilton Watches. Steel latch catches on the rim of the front cover of the case. After 10 years of extensive research, beginning in 1931, Hamilton watch company introduced a new railroad grade pocket watch, the 992B to their wholesalers on Nov. 5th, 1940. They made marine chronometers, deck watches, and pocket watches for the U.S. military as well as allied troops. The back cover can be opened by prying as mentioned above. When this happens the case can be VERY difficult to open. It’s a unique find, and you’ll pay less than $100 for it. If you don't know where to find one, search the American Society of Appraisers or you can visit the website of an online appraiser, like Antique Appraisals.

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