Internet Horology Club 185
Hamilton 992 look up question

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/1243975777

March 10, 2013, 19:38
Donald Hawes
Hamilton 992 look up question
Serial no look up. Hamilton 992. #3,392,202
Can someone look this up for me and give me the basics. Marginal Internet & no book here.
March 10, 2013, 19:42
Buster Beck
Too many numbers Donald, regroup !!

regards,
bb
March 10, 2013, 19:50
Roger Stephens
Donald using the pocket watch database s/n 3,392,202 shows to be a 12s.17j.grade 912 not a 992.
Roger
March 10, 2013, 21:25
Donald Hawes
Checked no. 2,892,306
March 10, 2013, 21:33
Roger Stephens
No results on that number Donald.
March 10, 2013, 23:11
David Abbe
Donald a picture of that s/n 2892306 movement would be very interesting. The "Gelson List" describe through 2655300, and the next serial number showing in the factory record starts with 2900001.

This "hole" is a puzzlement for a number of reasons.
March 11, 2013, 06:16
Roger Stephens
David never noticed that.Could it have something to do with the war years? Strange for sure!
March 11, 2013, 11:54
David Abbe
Roger, that could be part of the puzzle. Donald sent me an "IPOD" picture of the movement (a plain old 992) showing a S/N that may be in the "empty space" left on the Gelson List.

Now here is the conundrum;

1. The last 992L was recorded by Gelson as 2584300, made in 1931.
2, After that all 992's made were the "E" variant with the last "992E" being 2655300 in 1940.
2. The NEXT Gelson Recorded S/N was 2900001 recorded as assigned in 1921 for a model 979.

It appears that as Roger has observed, everything after the last 992E were enmeshed in war production.

So where did this serial number come from on a "plain old 992"?

If the "8" was "5" and the serial number was then 2592306, it would have to be a 992E . . .

If the "8" was "3" and the serial number was then 2392306, it would have be a 1926 Vin. 992L. (Thanks for the note on this Buster. dca)
March 13, 2013, 01:42
Donald Hawes
Sorry guys, my eyesight worse than I thought. The no. is actually 2392206 My excuse, didn't have a decent magnifier till I go home from vacation. So vintage c.a. 1931.
March 13, 2013, 01:49
Donald Hawes
Book says 1930-31, Data base says 1926. Which is correct?
March 13, 2013, 03:04
Robert McClelland
Gelson's list, which is probably the most accurate source, and the Hamilton finishing records both say 1926. What is the source that shows it as 1930-31?
March 13, 2013, 10:00
Dr. Debbie Irvine

Robert is correct.

Lindell explained the disparity in listings a few years ago when he put the Gelson List on-line for the first time.

Quoting from that original topic, he explained that most other listings, "...had been put together by simply dividing the approximate total production by the number of years in business with an artificial number assigned to each year. That essentially assumes the same number of movements every year, which can cause a lot of confusion."

Much of what you find regarding watch company production was arrived using that same logic.

Donald's movement number
2392206 is shown on numbered page 20 as from this run...

2391001-2393000 992L 1926

Debbie

Smile
March 13, 2013, 10:34
Donald Hawes
Thanks for the info.
March 13, 2013, 11:16
Buster Beck
Donald must be at that age where when he goes somewhere he doesn't pack a loupe, yet Big Grin

My Dad was a fool until I reached 25, funny how overnight he gained so much knowledge Eek

"Old Guys Rock" Cool

regards,
bb
March 13, 2013, 11:51
David Abbe
Donald, the book dates were derived before Mr. Gelson generated his true and accurate production date list we have on this site. As the serial numbers were issued in "batches" often when a new model number was created, there are very large discrepancies in dating.

Price Guide warns the reader that the dates published are "approximate" as the given dates estimated were those resulting by dividing the number of serial numbers issued by the number of years in business.
March 13, 2013, 18:47
Donald Hawes
Thanks for the info!