First I would like to thank all who gave their expert opinions on what this watch was and how I should redo it.

I would like to especially thank David Abbe for all his recommendations on this project and all the other things David has done to help all of us, Thank you David.

I purchased this export model with a badly worn dial and a broken balance staff. Evidently whoever owned this watch had it specially made so that it did not have a second hand. As you know a model 975 is a hunter case model. This dial had no second hand and was signed "Hamilton". Why he did not convert a 974 to a movement without a second hand I have know idea. Maybe he already had the 975 and a ruined case and had it converted to the open face case. Who knows?

I am mailing this to Chris Abbell tomorrow to have a good once over. It is keeping real good time but I do not know when the last time it was cleaned, serviced or timed.

I took the open diamond hands off a 974 I have and I purchased or won the sterling silver case off Ebay. The 975 I also got off Ebay. Although this will not be my most valuable watch it will be my most unique.

Please enjoy the photos and as always make any comments or recommendations you would like.

Harry

Front

Rear

925/1000 signature

movement

Movement again

another view

Another view again

This is what I started with.

A very special watch! Carry it with pride in your restoration work!

Thank you Dave I certainly will.

Nice job Harry. Very unique watch and as you mentioned, why not a 974?

The "Why" of making a 16s dial with no seconds chapter is arguably an option (perhaps) that Hamilton may have offered for some reason. Possibly to those who wished to "modernize" their old Hunters, but why no seconds chapter?

Mebbe for the Amish?

If this watch could only talk!

I will continue to research the history of this watch and maybe someday we will know the answer.

Very,very nice Harry! I likie a lot! Great job! Regards, Brad

Thank you Brad.

Casing a hunter movement in an open face case would place the seconds bit at 3 o'clock. Perhaps some owners preferred having no seconds bit to having one in an odd-looking location.

Thank you Ed. If the owner already had a Hunter Cased watch and needed a new case and wanted an open faced case that makes a lot of sense. I know I prefer open faced watches. I guess what amazes me most is that Hamilton would even make a dial and do away with the second hand pivot. Now that is service. You don't see companies going out of their way to accommodate their customers now days.