16s sample case?

May 04, 2010, 16:28

Joe W. Campbell

16s sample case?

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?

May 04, 2010, 16:28

Joe W. Campbell

pict 2

May 04, 2010, 16:29

Joe W. Campbell

pict 3

May 04, 2010, 16:43

Samie L. Smith

Joe snap the front bezel off and then check the measurerment..could be for a 18 size movement.

May 04, 2010, 17:24

Lindell V. Riddle

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...

May 05, 2010, 07:45

Joe W. Campbell

thanks guys. that's good to know stuff