I have 1 Hamilton 970 and 2 Hamilton 990's. I won another Hamilton that I thought was a 970 (you can always use an extra) I finally got around to recording the watch and I checked the serial number. Not another 990. I wanted a 970. I never noticed these two Hamilton's look identical.

I have looked at both these watches carefully. My 990's are lever set and my 970 is positive pendant set. The demaskeen look identical. Is there are difference between the 970 and the 990? Are all 970's pendant set? Are all 990's lever set? Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks,
Harry

All 2,806 Hamilton model 970's are Pendant set while all 16,489 model 990's are lever Set. They are both fine watches. I think they were "practice" for the later "big time stuff.

I love these early 16-size Hamiltons, which as Dave said, were trail blazers for greater things to come. I have a sentimental weakness for hunters, so my favorites are the 971 and 991. I just recently acquired a very nice 971 in a solid gold hunter case. I'll post some pics as it is prettied up a little.

Thank you David and Ed. As much as I like Hamilton I never noticed the two were basically identical. I think they are all beautiful but I try to stay away from the hunters as I think the cases are inferior to open face. Plus I like to see the watch face without pushing the crown in. But that is just a personal preference. I have a 971 but I do not have a 991.

I have three 990's now so I need to sell one of them.

Thank you both again,
Harry

Let's compare. Here is a 971, lousey photo but you get the idea.

And a 991, better photo. Actually the 1st Model 992s were very similar but not as nicely finished. I bought one once thinking it was a 990! I had also misread the list of SN vs Grade and was really glad I didn't pay too much. It is my ONLY unmarked 992 however.

That was a lucky break. Usually goes the other way and you get the more common one by mistake.

You see the demaskeen patters are identical on those two movements. At least I know how to tell them apart now thanks to David explaining that all 970's & 971's are pendant set and all 990's and 991's are lever set.

Kind of disappointing thought that they both have the same pattern.

Harry

Mike I just noticed that your winding wheel is different on the 971 than on your 991. My 970 and 990's are the same. My oldest one is in the 300,000 though and your 971 is a 5 digit serial number. Did they change the wheels or was yours changed out from another watch. I know sometimes they have different designs like the 992B's depending on when they were made.

Harry, I'm in the market for a 990, I'm eyeballing a distressed one listed on line... but might be interested in one that needs a little less work.

Harry, if anything has been changed I didn't do it. I just feel really fortunate to have a marked 991. They are not easy to find. The 971 I got about 15 months ago along with a 970.

Hi Mike,

Your 991 looks correct to me I was referring to the 971. I did not figure you changed the wheel if at all that it was changed. I was just wondering if you knew if the earlier 971's like yours used a different pattern on there wheels than the later ones did. I know there are some other Hamilton's that change the wheel pattern as in the 992b.

I was just curious. You can never learn too much with these watches.

Harry

FYI the winding wheel on my 991, 970, and 990 are the same. The 971 is the oddball. It also is a significantly lower SN so that MAY account for the difference.

Thanks Mike. That is what I was trying to find out. Maybe a Hamilton expert knows if the early models were different in that respect. All 3 of my 990's, my 970 and my 971 all have the same wheels but none of them is as old as yours.