Is anyone familiar with this Hamilton dial, and what models it may be right for? It came on a 956, Serial # 1170236 (about 1915-16 according to Gelson). The movement was housed in a side-swingout Hamilton-signed case that I understand is right for a 956. But I'm not sure about the dial. It has "arrow-top" 1's that are similar to the numerals on my Ball Waltham. I spent about an hour on the club website but couldn't find another example.

Any thoughts or insights appreciated.

Thanks.

Mike

That serial number went to the finishing dept. at Hamilton October 5, 1915. I believe the dial should be in script.

Thanks Robert. I had the same thought too. But I also have a faint recollection from somewhere (can't recall where) that the 17j trolley watches had the block-lettered dials before the 1918-1919 period. Maybe I'm misremembering.

Is there a site that shows the dials by year ? I have a hamilton that needs a dial too

This is the best I have.

I think this March, 1916 National Geographic ad, posted in the "Hamilton" research forum, might be what I had in mind in thinking that the block script may have been in use on some watches before 1918. The watch in the ad may be a 12s, based on other Nat Geo ads from the same period. But the block Roman dial style does appear similar if not identical to the one the 16s 956 in a 1918 ad that has been posted a few times in connection with 956 discussions.

If it is a post-1918 dial, I'd still be very interested to know what watch it would be appropriate on. I still can't find another exemplar. Maybe its a rare find worth millions . . .

Kevin, here is a link to a discussion that addresses and updates the chart that Lorne provided:

Hamilton Railroad Porcelain Dials

And here's another:

Hamilton script dial - black only? no red 5-min

Mike, great stuff. Thanks for pulling it all to one location.

The National Geographic advertisement calls out the Hamilton Masterpiece at $150.00 This tells me the advertisement is discussing the 12s 900 series watches.

What I find most informative is the reference to "Movements alone, to fit your present watch case at $12.25 ($13.00 in Canada).

I've always considered 900 series movements in "other than" Hamilton factory cases to be incorrect... this ad makes it clear that ordering them as loose movements was an option.

Paul -- Your last sentence paints with a broad brush. Did you mean only 12-size watches? Otherwise, Hamilton was making 900 series timepieces in the early 1890s, and none of the 18s grades are in "Hamilton" cases, that I know of.

kh

Paul, any thoughts about the Hamilton dial that is the subject of this post?

It's definitely different. Appears to be in exceptional condition. Otherwise, no.

Here is an ad that is included in Lowell Halligan's files on the 956. As you can see the dial is the same as yours and the serial number shown would date it before yours at around 1914.

Robert's contribution sets the record for this being right as it is. The "hidden hinge" style case was the case Michael describes which I expect qualifies the whole watch as "correct". The Hands may be replacements, but that is another discussion completely.

Well, this is just outstanding. Thank you Robert and David!

David, you are absolutely right that the hands are replacements. When I bought the 956, it was with the express intent to replace the dial and hands with a bold Roman Hamilton dial and moon hands that I thought appropriate for the watch. The hands in my picture originally came on a 974. I did not believe that this dial was right for the 956, so I transferred it onto a 974 to make way for the Roman dial on the 956. But now that I know this dial is correct for the 956, the dial and its original hands (which are identical to those in Robert's ad) are immediately going back on the 956, which still resides in its "hidden hinge" case!

Back in its natural habitat . . .

Great save!

Thanks Dave. I guess I saved myself from my own mistake of trying to get too cute with replacement dials. Should have checked here first . . .

Ken,

Yes, 10S and 12s series 900s... 900 through 923 in particular.

Right, Paul. But not a single 18-size Hamilton, and maybe no 16-size either. I'm not real into the 16s Hamiltons.