This dial says 970 HAMILTON 5 POS., it is a four post dial, but 1906 is a little early for the all caps signature from Hamilton.
The signature is all under the glaze, Could it be a later replacement dial?
It seems I've seen grade numbers on dials before, just can't remember where.
Movement #344047 is from 1906.

Steve

Hi Steven. Interesting watch. I have never seen a dial with the grade no. on the dial, in fact I never knew it was done. Sorry I can't contibute to your question but wanted to thank you for posting, john

Hi, John

Thanks for the response. It's hard to think why things were done more than 100 years ago!
I'm not sure why they made it, but I like it.

Steve

I have seen the dial before. Not often. If I were a betting man I would say it was a replacement dial. Hamilton in block letters did not come out until 1918. Hamilton later realized that the four post watches needed replacements because their 3 post dials would not work and started making replacement 4 post dials with block letter I assume after 1918. All this is just speculation on my part.
Harry

Hi, Harry
I have some later 4 foot dials with the block letters, but none with the grade on them. As you say, they must have been made as replacements.

Steve

I agree with the consensus that the dial is a 4 Post Replacement dial made after 1918 by Hamilton Factory.. In 1906 or 1918 or whenever there would be no reason for adding the grade number of the watch movement to the dial. I would think it was 'special order' by a clearing/supply house where you could get anything you wanted printed on a dial.

regards,
bb