My trusty Omega Sea Master that I found years ago on E-Bay. Haven't a clue as to age.
View attachment 2107
Produced in 1920. A 19 Jewel #219 movement, lever set, size 16. It is a nice watch and a good grade of watch. Far fewer of these were made than Elgins, Walthams and even Hamiltons.Here is the movement:
View attachment 2120
And here is the inside of the back:
View attachment 2121
the number on it is 19142356
Produced in 1920. A 19 Jewel #219 movement, lever set, size 16. It is a nice watch and a good grade of watch. Far fewer of these were made than Elgins, Walthams and even Hamiltons.
Thank you for the information, I always liked the watch, but I never even knew whether or not it was any good. I might even have to start wearing it now.
Here is a rose gold Benrus that I received as a gift for my birthday this year. From what I understand, it was made around 1950.
View attachment 2105
This is a 1948 Hamilton "Cld." Nordon that was my grandfather's high school graduation present. It sat in a drawer for years not running, until I finally had it restored, and just got it back from the watchmakers today.
View attachment 2106
I believe this South Bend pocket watch belonged to one of my great-grandfathers. I never wear it, and it spends most of its time in a display case on my desk, though I often forget to wind it. It runs good, but I don't really know a thing about it, perhaps someone here might know something about these things.
View attachment 2104
the benrus does not look early 50s
it must be 30s judging by the total "art deconess" of the watch.
Jskeen,
The 992 went to the Finishing Department of Hamilton on September 10, 1921. It probably took a month or two to make it out of the Finishing Department and to be sold to the wholesaler. So you watch was sold in late 1921. The Hamilton 992 was the most popular railroad watch ever.
Thanks, all this time I have just been going by the movement serial number date table
The 992B is a better watch in terms of function for reasons I shall explain later, but it is not as nice in pure beauty as the 992 (IMHO). We do not have good records for watches this late, but it should date in the late 50s. Before 1921 most watches were not cased at the factory. You went into a jeweler and chose a movement and chose a case and they were joined. Hamilton started casing many watches in the mid 1920s and your case is one of the two most popular "bar over crown" railroad grade watch cases. It is the Hamilton number 17 railroad case. The bar was to prevent the accidental pulling of the stem. This case was introduced in 1956, so that puts a floor on your watch date.
The correction that I have to make is that the balance is NOT solid gold in either watch. That would not work very well.
You are of course correct. I was recalling the screws, not the entire wheel (Nor the center wheel, Henry Fried notwithstanding)
One more thing that makes your 992B special is that is has a Montgomery dial. This was a special patented dial that featured the individual minutes numbered and the "6" in the seconds chapter. Hamilton had to pay a royalty to Montgomery to use this dial and so it cost extra to the customer. Collectors love that. So your 992B is the more collectable watch. However, I still love the 992 the most.
I also prefer the Montgomery dial, (As much as I like Webb C. Ball's modifications of the Hamilton movements, I never understood his opposition to the Montgomery dial). However I was told that the 992b dial had been changed to either celluloid or some other material rather than the 3 piece enameled brass as a cost cutting measure. If that is not necessarily the case, I may need to open Pop's up to verify.
I would carry the 992 and enjoy it. Have it properly cleaned at least every 3 to 5 years. These cases are not dust proof and dust is an abrasive. I would take special care of the 992B because of the special case and dial and because it is a 992B.
I carry the 992 because I prefer it on aesthetic grounds, and also because should it be damaged, I would be bummed, but it could be replaced, whereas if I was in a car wreck or some other catastrophe and damaged Grandpa's watch, it would be irreplaceable, and my Mom and my Eldest Son would both probably shun me. I still take it to the same watch shop in Palestine where he had it serviced and still receive my copy of the three part form and the vibrograph chart every other year. Although the gentleman who does it tells me every time that he may not be around next time, but if he's breathing, he'll be happy to work on "Hoyt's watch" again.
Don Dahlberg
NAWCC Library and Research Center volunteer