Internet Horology Club 185
Rebirth of a Hamilton 944

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/4133951777

February 11, 2013, 22:03
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Rebirth of a Hamilton 944
I finally got around to fixing up this old Hamilton 944 I have. I had to give it a COA and a new balance staff. Like night and day.Here are a couple of before and several after photos.


February 11, 2013, 22:09
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
The case did not have a bow or bezel and the balance staff was broken. Ok enough of the before pictures I didn't want to make you sick to your stomachs.


February 11, 2013, 22:11
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Now for the good after pictures. Besides another dial and hands I put a new crystal in an old 18s case I had and a new winding stem.


February 11, 2013, 22:11
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Close up of the dial


February 11, 2013, 22:12
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Bezel removed


February 11, 2013, 22:13
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Another without bezel


February 11, 2013, 22:14
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Movement


February 11, 2013, 22:15
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Another movement picture


February 11, 2013, 22:15
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
The back


February 11, 2013, 22:17
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Last one.


February 11, 2013, 22:19
Michael Weiford
Very nice. I have not purchased any Hamiltons yet. I really like the looks of the 18s but I am still learning what to look for as to originality. I am learning a lot looking at current and previous posts.

Regards,
Mike
February 11, 2013, 22:41
Peter Kaszubski
Harry great job and great watch to have
February 11, 2013, 22:51
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Thank you Peter. Now I need to start on my other one with black script on the movement and a different pattern.
Mike I don't know enough about them myself. This one had a very bad Canadian 24 hour dial that I was pretty sure was original. I found out that the new hands people referred to as Canadian hands so I figured the hands that were on it were wrong but I don't know that for sure.
It is a learning experience. I don't really know if this is 100% correct but I feel certain it is close.
February 11, 2013, 22:54
Jon Hart
Nice one - Harry...

Did you repair or replace the dial?
February 11, 2013, 22:59
Michael Weiford
The hands remind me of the hands found on the later Samgamo Specials.

Regards,
Mike
February 11, 2013, 23:02
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Jon I replaced the dial. I have started a repair in the original dial and it looks pretty good so far but I did not want it on this 944.
February 11, 2013, 23:25
Mike Hodge
Nice job Harry. It is a very fine watch to bring back, and, it needed it!
February 11, 2013, 23:49
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Thanks Mike. Yes it needed it bad!
February 12, 2013, 00:25
Gary E. Foster
Harry, very nice watch, I like the new dial and would like to see the repair of the other dial, when you get it done.

Gary
February 12, 2013, 00:32
David Abbe
Magnificent! Were it that we could put that in a time capsule and send it to the Desk of Hamilton Manufacturing Engineering 105 years ago!
February 12, 2013, 00:33
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Gary I will post some new pictures of the repair dial when I get it done. Thanks.

Thank you very much David.
February 12, 2013, 01:10
Jim Bielefeldt
WoW.

Just goes to show that new life can be given to a watch by someone with the will to do so.
February 12, 2013, 01:18
Larry Lamphier
Super job Harry!

I'm not that up on the 18 size Hamiltons, but those hands look like they could go with that dial. They look like the early 24 hour hands that went on the 24 hour dials. I'm sure others will know for sure, but that is a great looking watch.

Regards,
Larry
February 12, 2013, 01:21
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Thank you Jim and Larry. That was my understanding on the hands also Larry but I don't know for sure.
February 12, 2013, 07:22
Norman Mayberry
Mighty Purty!!!! I love the 940 series Hamiltons.Had two and sold them.Maybe I'll get another one someday.Regards,Norm
February 12, 2013, 09:25
John J. Flahive III
Harry,

Really nice restoration. Both the original 24 hr marginal minutes dial and the new dial are beautiful. The hands look like they belong.

Great job!

John III
February 12, 2013, 14:09
Ralph Hopper
Great job on bringing this one back into shape Harry. Looks fantastic now and I really like those hands with that style of dial. Any chance this one will hit the 'sales' anytime?
Ralph
February 12, 2013, 16:37
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Thank you Ralph. Not until I'm dead and gone. Then whatever my wife and kids do with it, it will be up to them. LOL Or unless the government quits giving me a pension and I need the money. Sorry... but I am honored you asked.
February 12, 2013, 18:18
Richard M. Jones
A real nice watch Harry. I am very partial to the 19 jewel movements and that one is nice!


Deacon
February 12, 2013, 18:21
Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.
Thank you Deacon. I am working on my other one right now and I will post pictures later when I am done.