Hamilton Model 5 Case info

October 12, 2007, 15:56

Gary Morgret

Hello
Can anyone help me with a approximate year of manufacture of a Hamilton Model 5 Case with serial number 52891. It has a 992 movement with serial #2,525,699, is this a correct combination? Book shows about 1934 for the movement.

Thx
Gary

October 12, 2007, 16:57

Lindell V. Riddle

Gary,

Apparently the case Model 5 first appeared in Hamilton advertising during July 1928 which is mentioned on Page 234 in the Complete Guide to Watches, the 2007 Edition.

You did not mention the color of the case you reference but I have a white Model 5 with number 40467 on it. The movement in mine dates to 1929 production.

Hope this helps,

Lindell

Model 5 in 1929 Hamilton catalog...

October 12, 2007, 16:59

Joseph T. Collins

Gary,

The Gelson list shows 1928-29 for that serial number. The No. 5 case was introduced in 1928. Probably started out together.

Joe

Looks like Lindell and I were typing at the same time.

October 12, 2007, 22:25

Robert M. Sweet

Hello Gary,
According to Hamilton's "Finishing Department Records", the serial number in question was included in a run of 1000 movements (2,525,001 to 2,526,000) that went to the "Finishing Dept" in two separate shipments on Dec. 20, 1928 and March 18, 1929. These movements were normally completed in 3 to 6 months.

Based on the above information, in my opinion the movement in question was completed in the March to July 1929 time frame.

The No. 5 case was introduced Feb. 1, 1928 as shown below in the "Letter of Introduction".

According to Lowell Halligan's (Hamilton Sales Manager-late 1940's) notations, the following No. 5 cases were made in 1929:

Color------------Qty.
14k Green g-f----383
14k White g-f---1735
14k Yellow g-f-------1
10k Yellow g-f---3067

Robert

October 13, 2007, 00:32

Weldon Hopkins

Gary,
I think Lindell and Robert are correct about the year the Model#5 came out 1928 but I thought it was July anyway. I have a few Model #5's Here is some case and movement serial no's that i have in my collection.
Model 5 14K Green Boxed example Case serialno.7059760 and movement serial no. 2513083
Model 5 14K White case serial no. 71101 and movement serial no. 2525191.
Model 5 10K Yellow looks like rose to me case serial no. 52638 movement serial no. 2546071. The case serial no. on the green boxed example has more numbers than the white or rose case don't know why but its a boxed example so we know for sure it's original. I have a Model 5 14K Green case that the serial no on it is 72134 and it has a 950 23J Movement serial no. 2383962 which is from 1928. Gary I also have copy of the hamilton records showing that the Model 5 case was used for the 992 movement up until 1933 and the last run of 992 movements was 2583901-2584300 1930-1931 production. Only a very few model 5 were used on the 992E so overall the Model 5 case had about a 6 year life. Your watch sounds correct to me, I hope this helps and not confuse you.
Weldon

October 13, 2007, 17:13

Gary Morgret

Thx, for all the useful information guys!!

Gary

February 12, 2010, 23:12

Richard Romero

Hi, I bought this watch on e-bay from someone who runs an antique store. I was wondering if it's possibly an original combination? The serial #s are earlier than the ones listed here. Case #44656 and movement #2473499. Thanks, RR

February 13, 2010, 06:55

Lindell V. Riddle

Richard,

Your 992 movement number 2473499 was produced as part of a 1927-1928 run which is concurrent with the Case 5 introduction. Your case number 44656 fits with some of the numbers shown previously. For example I reported 40467 which is very close to yours and movement 2525699 is in case number 52891 both those numbers being just a bit above yours. I also have movement number 2542039 in Case 5 numbered 50313 which by the way is a rose gold-filled example which I believe to be quite uncommon.

The factory workers paid no attention to these numbers and cases were often "last in, first out" order from what we can determine. Other cases were left behind and used later, there is much evidence of that in "boxed sets" which have matching labels. Our research is not exact science but sometimes the numbers fall into place so neatly it is almost like an athletic performance.

And that is part of what makes this hobby so much fun!

Lindell

February 15, 2010, 14:37

Richard Romero

Lindell,
Thank you for the information and knowledge. I was under the assumption that earlier case serial #s must have earlier serial # movements. I've been looking through the different posts here and am amazed. The more I look, the more interested I become. I had no idea when I bought my first pocket watch over three years ago, an Elgin B.W. Raymond, that it would lead to this fun and interesting hobby.
Thanks again,
RR