Internet Horology Club 185
Hamilton hand styles

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https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/5303923067

April 01, 2011, 17:44
Eric Unselt
Hamilton hand styles
Can someone show me a period-appropriate alternative to moon hands for this 4-foot dial? The movement is a 990, SN 356452.

I've already got this combination of hands and dial on a 974.


April 01, 2011, 21:13
Edward Kitner
Eric,
I have noticed the majority of 16s Hamiltons, 4 & 3 foot dials, sport this style of hands.


April 01, 2011, 21:43
Claude Griffith
Eric I don't think mine are as "bold" as Ed's but this is a 2 screw 992 and both of my 990's have these style spade hands.

April 01, 2011, 21:45
Eric Unselt
I could use the medium spade hands like those on my 972, but I think they're too heavy for the font I showed in the first picture.

Did Hamilton make light spade hands?


April 01, 2011, 23:00
Mike Hodge
Eric, I'm certainly not an expert, but, I think the 990 should have a double sunk dial and probably spade hands. As this is single sunk and moon hands I would venture a guess that its hand/dial is appropriate for the 974/975. Nice dial and hands and they work, if not totally correct
April 01, 2011, 23:42
Claude Griffith
In the 1916 Hamilton Time Book pics there are light spade hands. The 990 would have had a DS dial. The minute hand on my 992 is correct, the hour hand while the spade is correct it does not ahve a swell near the base so it might be a replacement. The script on all except for the Electric Special dial would work.
April 01, 2011, 23:52
Richard Romero
Eric,
Fine spade hands appear in the 1920 Hamilton catalog.
RR

1920 Hamilton Catalog Page 16


April 01, 2011, 23:53
Richard Romero
1920 Hamilton Catalog Page 17


April 02, 2011, 07:18
Eric Unselt
That's what I wanted to see. Thanks, Rich.
April 02, 2011, 11:33
Lindell V. Riddle

Eric,

I agree with Mike Hodge, every Hamilton 990 originally came with a porcelain-enamel Double-Sunk dial.

The one in my collection number 374629 is shown below this posting. Also, in checking the 1906 parts listing it confirms the hands I am showing you as correct. The style referred to as "fine spade" would be right for a lesser movement but the various dial and hands combinations for Railroad Watches were very specific.

Lindell

Wink


Here is 374629 the 990 from my collection...


April 02, 2011, 11:33
Lindell V. Riddle


Just for fun, check out this 990 movement...


April 02, 2011, 14:15
Eric Unselt
If I had a DS dial I would've used it already.

4-foot dials are scarce, and until I find one in my porridge the single-sunk one will have to do.

My question was simply which hands - other than moon - would be acceptable for that SS dial.
April 02, 2011, 14:56
Claude Griffith
My 990's one/two screw has either style 439 and 440 wit hte one screw have style 439 and the early two screw 990 have style 440 which would match what Lindell has on the one he posted. Thats making the assumption the first lower numbered hands are 18 working down to smaller sizes. On the 4 foot dial I was lucky enough to spot a 974 that was low sn which typically come with DS dials and I snagged the movement/dial for about $40 and put the metal dial that was on mine and took the 4 good 4ft DS off and stashed it on my 990.
April 03, 2011, 14:52
Roland Glenn
Eric I have the same dial (from what I can tell) and have these hands on it. I think the seconds hands my not be correct.




R. Glenn
April 03, 2011, 15:50
Eric Unselt
Thanks, Roland. Smile