I have two size 16 watches I am thinking of switching cases on. one is a 21j Hamilton 992B ,Serial Number C455126. This movement is in a Wadsworth Referee Case Warranted 20 Years # 2287292. The gold filled, screw back case is pretty nice with no wear through to brass. There is a small ding on one side and it is not the original RR case the movement came in. The dial is new and in perfect condition. The movement is the best part of this package as it has no rust or corrosion and does not show much use or wear / cleanings by watchmakers at all as there are few scratches if any and little to no burr marks on screw heads. It is a real pleasure to look at and runs really well, keeping good time. The glass crystal is in good condition with a few scuffs here and there. See the pictures.

I also have an Elgin, 21 jewel, Father Time, Railroad grade, Serial number 24387252 It has a double sunk porcelain dial with Arabic numerals, blue spade hands, lever set, 3/4 plate nickel movement with beautiful damaskeening and gold inlay, gold jewel settings, marked adjusted 5 positions, gold center wheel, micrometric regulator. .I think it is circa 1921. It is in a Number 16 Hamilton Case marked, Hamilton Watch Co. Then there is a Star and 10K Rolled Gold Plate Lancaster Pa. R229825. I am wondering if I would be wise to have the cases switched between these two movements or keep them as they are. If the general opinion is to switch the movements Who can or would do it?
reidenbachr@comcast.net

Hi Richard,

Welcome to Chapter 185 and thanks for coming on board.

The "swapping" issue fires a lot of people up! However, what you propose to do should meet with near-universal approval. Neither watch even comes close to being right as currently configured.

Let's consider first your Hamilton C455126 from about 1959 production. At that time the 992B came in the Stainless Steel Model 15, the 10K Rolled Gold Plate 16, and the 17 available in 10K Gold-Filled or 14K Solid-Gold versions. We have a lot of information on the 992B in our "Hamilton 992B Research Forum" right here...

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums?a=frm&s=3206049661&f=254108073

The Hamilton Case 16 your Elgin is in would probably be from a little earlier than 1959 but would be a far closer match to the 992B than the Wadsworth. Terry Hall maintains a Database and may have closer information.

You're right about the Elgin dating to 1921 according to the On-Line Elgin Database maintained by Chapter 185 Member Wayne Schlitt which is live linked along with many other worthwhile resources in the "Technical Library and Site Links" on our site. Here is Wayne's information...

http://elginwatches.org/cgi-bin/elgin_sn?sn=24387252&action=search

I believe your Wadsworth case may be acceptable for the Elgin, it would certainly be much closer that any Hamilton case! One important point... in about 1923 the government required case makers to no longer mark the number of years guaranteed. Instead the gold content, such as "10K Gold-Filled" had to be clearly revealed on the case.

If it were me, exchanging the two movements and cases would be the logical thing to do. If you need a hand with doing it, wind both watches, send them along insured US Postal Service Priority Mail and I'd be glad to take care of it for you at no cost to you other than for the postage.

My postal mailing address...

Lindell V. Riddle
1052 SOM Center Road
Mayfield, Ohio 44143-3527

Hope this is of help, again welcome aboard! I think you'll enjoy the ride.

Lindell

Richard,
Welcome to the chapter 185 site. I guarantee the membership fee that you paid will rank as some of the best money that you ever spent.

Hi Richard,
Welcome!
Another Marylander!

I'm really enjoying this experience with all of the great information, and friendly responses I have received. I only whish I was more knowledgeable and could be as helpful to you as you all have been to me. Thanks! I will be adding some photos to my postings, now that I know how to. Some before and after photos at least.

Welcome aboard Richard!

As a relative newcomer myself, I must say that the diversity and depth of knowledge of my colleagues here at Chapter 185, related in the daily give and take of postings in a spirit of good fellowship, never ceases to amaze me.

February 14, 2005 my 992B and Father Time watches arrived back from having their cases swapped. I could not be more pleased with them. Lindell Thanks for the Royal treatment. Thanks for the additional information about the crystal and dial on the Hamilton being incorrect for the piece. The cases are much smoother and brighter. Thanks for the attention there. Here they are for comparison to the way they were.

Here are their movements.