I have these 2 cases that are supposed to be size 16. the one with the movement(990) in it is definitely a 16s. the one without is just a tiny bit too big to hold a 992 movement or a 992b movement and it is fatter with the bezels on than the one that has the movement in it. they both look the same when measured with a tape measure.what's up?
Posts: 458 | Location: Norfolk, Virginia in the USA | Registered: July 24, 2009
Yes Joe, I agree with Samie, the "fatter" of your two sample cases will likely take a standard 18-size movement. Difference in movement size is about a millimeter all the way around, the inside case measrement is what counts!
While we are on the subject of these "salesman's" or perhaps better termed "sample-cases" there is a seldom seen Hamilton marked version with little set-screws (look at the arrow) down low on both sides. That one, shown in the image below this post originally came with a spacer (see red circle) that can be removed to use with 18-size but then, with the spacer in place the same case will take a 16-size movement. This unusual case helps illustrate how little difference in diameter there is between the standard 18-size and 16-size American watch movements.
Check the set-screw and spacer on this 16/18-size case...
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
