Internet Horology Club 185
Bezel question, 18s hunter (New and Improved Photos added)

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https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/1143931467

July 21, 2011, 16:03
Mike Hodge
Bezel question, 18s hunter (New and Improved Photos added)
I have this nice old Hamilton 941 that is in a Silveroid case. The problem is the bezel is gold toned. Any way to plate that with no big expense?


July 21, 2011, 16:04
Mike Hodge
Neat movement, lousey dial!


July 21, 2011, 19:32
William Thomas
Bezel can be nickel plated by any good jewelers' service shop. If this were my watch I would hold out for a good gold filled hunting case with a commonplace 17 jewel Hamilton movement (so as to not have extra case screw marks) and also look for a good double sunk dial. The watch is worth it.
July 21, 2011, 22:17
Mike Hodge
Thanks, William. Good advice and I'm looking even as I type. Original cases are hard to find though.
July 21, 2011, 23:41
Joe Sernak
some supply houses sell a silver plating & polishing product.
as I recall it's called silveron w/pure silver.
Just clean your watch shake the stuff up well, apply with soft cloth and rub it in. cosy around ten bucks. hope this helps Joe S
July 22, 2011, 00:06
Mike Hodge
I'll look for it. Thanks Joe.
July 22, 2011, 12:35
Lindell V. Riddle

Mike,

I would have Don Mathis plate your bezel in nickel...

CLICK FOR: Casemaker and Master Engraver Donald Mathis

Don does plating as well as very artistic and proper case engraving.

Now to what Bill said about your dial, all the Hamilton advertising shows the Open-Face 940 and Hunter-Cased 941 as leaving the factory with Double-Sunk Dials. Your movement which is from 1904 production would be expected to front a "Hamilton" in Script Signature Double-Sunk Porcelain-Enamel Dial. And by the way, all the 18-size Hamilton dials interchange between Open-Face and Hunter-Case movements.

Hope this helps,

Lindell

Wink

July 22, 2011, 15:27
Mike Hodge
Thanks Lin. I am looking for a correct dial. Will contact Don about the bezel.
July 25, 2011, 20:20
Mike Hodge
Bezel can be nickel plated by any good jewelers' service shop. If this were my watch I would hold out for a good gold filled hunting case with a commonplace 17 jewel Hamilton movement (so as to not have extra case screw marks) and also look for a good double sunk dial. The watch is worth it.

I took your advice and found this case and dial on a 927.


July 25, 2011, 20:22
Mike Hodge
But, the cover wont close with the bezel on. That should be no problem as I believe I can get that replaced with a proper fitting bezel. Now this is a much nicer 941 than before. AND, the screw marks are matched!


July 26, 2011, 00:56
Buster Beck
Could be the glass is too tall. Pop it out and see if it will close. Some have to use an absolutely flat glass to close.

Try flat polishing the bottom of the bezel [if it's not the glass] on fine emory paper and perhaps enough can be taken off for it to close. But you can take off too much, that's the bad part Frown

regards,
bb
July 26, 2011, 01:29
Mike Hodge
It's not the glass. I tried that. Did not try the emory cloth solution. I have really nothing to lose as it isn't correct for the case as it is. Thanks Buster
July 26, 2011, 10:27
David Abbe
Mike, is the problem that the cover does not "lock" down, or that it simply will not easily swing down to the closed position?

I ask because in your picture the hasp that is supposed to lock the cover looks like it is not extending out far enough to work.
July 26, 2011, 11:28
Mike Hodge
Dave, With the bezel off, the case functions fine. With the bezel on, it does not. The SN on the bezel do not match up with the case either. The other parts, lever slot, opening and hinge, all match up fine. Given that, the emory cloth may be my first attempt to solve.