I was going through some information a while ago and discovered something interesting. This is in reference to the Hamilton 972. There were (according to my reference) 48,132 model 972s produced between 1896 and 1927. Of this number, only 945 of these were the "positive set" type which I believe we sometimes call "detent set". This leads to my question. If only 945 positive set 972s were produced, do these have a higher value than the "negative set models? These positive set models were from runs that included SN 52,011 and 58,600. Of course there were runs of model 972 WITHIN this range of numbers, not all those numbers were 972s. You may have guessed that I just may have one of these 945 positive set Model 972s. Anyone care to comment?

As an additional tidbit, the 970, and 971 models which preceed the 972 in MODEL NUMBER, not necessarily in serial number, nor time produced, were only made in the "positive set" configuration. Actually model number 962, through 971 were only produced in positive set configuration. I clearly have no life and too much time on my hands.

Mike I have no idea if your information is correct or not. I have two 972's that are positive set. One is listed in The Price Guide as a 16s and in the Gelson list as a 972 s/n 52212. The other is s/n 62776.

I also checked my 970 and it is positive set. As for value I have no idea if one is more valuable than the other. I got them both from the bay and di not pay much for either one.

Thanks Harry. According to my info, all 970s were positive set. Only some 972s were. Your 52212 would fit that category. I know sometimes a single marking, or numeral makes one more valuable than anothe. Thereis also the difference of "collector value" and "monetary value". Sometimes those are similar, but other times they can vary greatly. As we pursue this topic some info will come out of the woodwork.

there are a lot of rare items out there that do not have matching demand. It is possible that collectors either do not realize the rarity of the item , which you can help solve by bringing attention to the rarity or they just don't care as the item does not seem particuarly attractive to them.

happy hunting

Mike how does my positive set 62776 fit in with your research? Seems that there are more than just to two serial number runs you mentioned. So there must be more than 945.

In response to your question Harry. The source I used mentions them being WITHIN those SN's range, not all of the watches covered by those numbers. They typically made small runs of only 100 or so at a time in those early days. The source then mentions that there was an error in that range, but fewer than 1000 were made. We should discuss this in greater detail. I think before selling either of yours I would research this concept.

Bill, I agree. Sometimes folks don't know and sometimes they go crazy about differences, and then sometimes, they don't seem to care. It is not a science based solely on numerical quantities or we would see vastly different values for many watches than we see.

What is meant by "positive set", "detent set", and "negative set"?

Positive set and detent are when the stem physically catches on a setting mechanism as you pull it out to set the watch. Negative set is when the stem is holding down the actuator to allow the watch to wind UNTIL you pull the stem out to stop. It then allows the mechanism to set the hands. Someone will do a much better job of explaining, but that's the gist of it.