Internet Horology Club 185
Help with a Hamilton RR model

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/25910652

February 18, 2009, 15:28
Steve Gossard
Help with a Hamilton RR model
Here is a Hamilton #308,698. This number is not listed in Ehrhardt's serial numbers list.


February 18, 2009, 15:31
Steve Gossard
The movement does resemble the grade 970 which is illustrated in the book. Is this a 970? The regulator spring is missing, and do you think the wheel has been replaced on the mainspring barrel?


February 18, 2009, 15:38
Steve Gossard
Excuse me. I found the complete chart. This is a 990. How do you think this compares to a 992?
February 18, 2009, 15:38
Andrea Schiavi
Steve,
this is a grade 990... Smile
February 18, 2009, 15:39
Andrea Schiavi
I think only 10,200 made in grade 990..
February 18, 2009, 15:40
Steve Gossard
Gee, that's the fastest response I've ever gotten! You guys sure are fast on the draw! Thanks!
February 18, 2009, 15:42
Steve Gossard
This was my father-in-law's watch. He was wearing it when he died. It is important to me for more than one reason. Thanks, Andrea.
February 18, 2009, 15:46
David Abbe
Your watch is listed in the price guide as a 990. You can see the similarity to the Brand New one Lindell posted last year after he went back in his time machine to get it. Also the click wheel had been replaced on the one you picture.


February 18, 2009, 15:48
David Abbe
Your father had very good taste. Carry this and you will stay "in tune and on time" too!
February 18, 2009, 15:48
Steve Gossard
I wondered about that. What are my chances of getting the correct one?
February 18, 2009, 15:52
David Abbe
I think I have a regulator spring that fits that. As for the click wheel, as it is also in a major repair job case, if it was me and it was my Dad's watch I would leave it "as-is" as I am sure there is a reason behind all of it's "idiosyncrasies".
Cool
February 18, 2009, 15:55
Steve Gossard
Yes, I think you are right, David. I would appreciate it if you could check on that spring for me. Let me know what you find. Thanks once again!

Steve
February 18, 2009, 16:03
Tom Brown
David

Do you know if it is possible that the wheel was put on upside down, I have never tried that but I wonder if someone could have done that.

Tom
February 18, 2009, 19:08
Lindell V. Riddle

Steve,

Your father-in-law had excellent taste, evidently his daughter followed suit. Smile

But seriously, my understanding is the Hamilton 990 was considered to be a somewhat higher grade than the 992 and today is far more highly prized by collectors.

The finish on that plain wheel is what we normally associate with lesser grades such as a 974 and we find this style were and are sold as replacements. It may be possible to find something closer on a parts movement or someone may have one loose. Tom's speculation is interesting and yes I have seen that done but this particular one is simply mismatched.

Good news, the whip-spring and screw will be fairly easy to find.

Lindell

Wink
February 18, 2009, 19:31
Tom Brown
Lindell

Thanks for letting me know about the wheel, I had never thought about that until I saw the watch in this post & I just wondered if that was possible.

Tom
February 18, 2009, 21:12
Steve Gossard
Well, thanks so much, everyone, for your observations. I didn't realize that this was a higher (even slightly) grade watch than the 992. I might start to carry it on occasion.

Steve
February 18, 2009, 21:16
David Abbe
IN my highly prejudiced opinion I think the 992 was a "cost-cutter" version of the 990


February 18, 2009, 21:21
David Abbe
Steve, I checked and I have some of those. It looks like the original spring attachment screw was broken off, maybe by the same BOZO who messed up the jewel screws. I will send you a new whip, but I recommend that you have someone knock out the broken screw and then clean and regulate this beauty. I will send the whip wherever you plan to do that.
February 19, 2009, 09:01
Steve Gossard
Thanks a lot, David. Please let me know what I owe you.
February 19, 2009, 10:54
Charles J. Brem
Nice one, Steve. Cherish and protect it.

Here's my 990, it's a bit later than yours. I love this craftsmanship!




©harles
February 19, 2009, 11:11
Steve Gossard
Beautiful watch! Thanks. I wonder if they started making this grade before they made the 992.

Steve
February 19, 2009, 16:00
David Abbe
Steve, By the looks of it, I think the 990 came first or was (at least) a "premium" 992 type movement!

For the parts (I added an assembly screw that fit a 990 here tho it is not the "rounded head" kind), please e-mail me your address etc to david@glopar.com and then after you get the parts just donate whatever you think it is worth to the IHC185 legal recovery fund. (It's a little dusty, but it will shine up fine)