I just picked this up this afternoon. Got it locally and would appreciate the Good, Bad, and Ugly on it. To me it appears to be a seven jewel, it is an 18s, and is in a Hunter Case. Needs a crystal and seconds hand, runs, looks to have had an unorthodox repair on the Mspg Barrel. This was an impulse buy and I hope I didn't get taken too badly.

Closer look

Movement is running, lever set and missing at least one screw.

movement #2

Odd case marking. I have not seen this before. Any thoughts?

Mike, Aurora was purchased by a group of business men in Lancaster, PA, and became Hamilton Watch Company. All of it's machinery, and key people, most notably Charles D. Rood and Henry J. Cain, went to Lancaster. Rood was Hamilton's first president, and Cain designed their first watch. You've got a lovely piece of pre-Hamilton history here. It is also in a beautiful box-hinge case, which are becoming hard to find, it runs, and doesn't appear to need too much in the way of repairs. That, and because of it's historical ties to Hamilton, I'd say you "done real good" indeed! Regards, Brad

Thanks Brad. I think it is an unusual buy and certainly needs cleaning up.

You should be able to chase down those missing screws, and I think William White just may have a crystal to fit this. If it were me, I'd be sending it down to Chris Abell for a COA, and possibly right the "unorthodox" repair job. Unless you can do all that yourself. Brad

It is not 18kt case but it should be low kt gold. The last one I had marked like this was 9kt.

Mike, can you post some pics of the front and back of the case. Don't know much about them, just want to see what the whole package looks like.

Brad, that will be done tomorrow. I think I'd like to get some before and afters on this one. I had literally just got it when I took the several photos. Tonight I'll search my crystal cabinet and try to replace the missing one.

Any idea as to value, jewel count, etc? Looks like a 7 jewel to me, but what do I know?

Mike-

I'm guessing 10 or 14 jewels. I would typically say 11 or 15, but the bushing on the 4th wheel cuts it back one

nice one I did pick one myself few weeks back
will post new pictures with clean dial
mine is what they call pair case.
but here is my old post.
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...6047761/m/8413912567

According to the Gilbert/Engle book, they made low to medium grade watches 7j, 11j, and 15j. From what I can see, this watch is in the $4-500.00 range in mint condition. Regards, Brad

I was able to replace the missing screws with some from an old parts watch. They seem to fit fine both functionally and cosmetically. Also found a crystal that seems fine, so tomorrow I will do some polishing and see how the case looks. If this is a $4-5 hundred dollar watch then I did well. if it is a $200 watch I'll live with it and if it's a $50 watch I'll feel real bad!

Naw, I think it's a lot more than $50.00.

Looks to be goldfilled, in your first photo i see wear through just below the pendant and above the box hinge. Geno

Definately goldfilled, you can see the wear in the other photos too. Geno

Check out the covers!

Back

Crystal fit. Will post after photos, After!

Looks like a keeper Mike. Those front and back covers should really shine once you get the crud off of 'em! Beautiful designs. I was thinking, a very old Hamilton second hand might just do the trick. Regards, Brad

After. Front

The back

Still need a secons hand. I am impressed with the amount of detail on this case. Hope it holds the polish well.

Simply gorgeous Mike!