I am sitting here with 2 18S Ball 999's. Both in "Ball Model"cases. While looking at the serial#'s and dates, I am for the moment confused? The first one is a 21J Sunburst style movement, it's serial # is 586187. The second is the circular demaskeening,19J's, and it's serial# is 535004, the earlier of the two. I was under the impression that the circular demaskeening came after the earlier Sunburst style. I never really learned this or read it anywhere, I just always thought that this is the way it was. Both are dated 1905-1910.
Just when did the "Sunburst" style stop, and the "circular" start?

Jack Goldstein

Jack,

It is my impression the "Wavy Sunburst Damaskeening" is a feature of Ball's highest RR grade watch movements. The earliest watch I have it on is on number 307473 a Ball-Howard B of LE produced May 1, 1894 according to Harold Visser. I understand you were not asking about those, but I mention it as they may have started a trend.

From this point on I will limit my remarks to certain of the Grade "999" 18-size Ball-Hamiltons I have in my collection and list them by serial number. Frankly, I believe you'll find the wavy sunburst on all the Ball-Hamilton 18-size 21-Jewel movements. The lowest number I have it on is 170704 from 1899 a 21-Jewel Official RR Standard.

Each of the 21-Jewel Brotherhoods in my collection have the wavy sunburst. The lowest I have is 533069 a 21-Jewel B of RT from 1906 and the highest is 644083 an ORC which was built in 1910 according to Hamilton. Ironically, the Hamilton records indicate my 21-Jewel B of LE 644007 was finished in 1910 but not shipped to Ball until 1914 which tells me they were a difficult watch to sell in those times.

Perhaps we should also mention the Brake-Wheel Damaskeening which is an interesting variation. A 17-Jewel B of LF Standard I have from 1895 has a further variation on that design. That particular one consists of the wavy sunburst in the center surrounded by the outer circular work. All my other 17 and 19-Jewel examples, both ORRS and various Brotherhoods all have the circular damaskeening.

Another one of interest is number 170249 an ORRS 17-Jewel marked "Adjusted, Single-Roller" with "Ball & Co. Cleveland" beneath. This one, which was Ball's "loss-leader" 18-size has circular damaskeening and an unusual Double-Sunk Ball ORRS Trade-Mark Dial.

From the examples outlined above it would appear that 18-size Ball-Hamilton "999" graded 21-Jewel movements had the "wavy sunburst" design. The lesser varieties of grade "999", be they 17 or 19-Jewel had either circular, the "Brake-Wheel" or a related variation. Since I do not have a Ball-Hamilton 23-Jewel "999" to share information about at this time I'll let someone else tell us about those.

Hope at least some of this information is of help!

Lindell



Below 533069 a Ball-Hamilton 21-Jewel B of RT "wavy sunburst"...