Hi, This is my first post so bear with me. I recently bought this watch and have been doing some research and just wanted to see if I am in the ball park with what I have. This is a 992B RWS,DS Porcelian-Enamel dial #536,HG,in a Model A Hamilton case (shouldered). The serial# for the movement is C138965 which I believe to be about 1946, and the case serial# K080170. From looking at some watches on this and other sites I believe these two match well with no other recase marks I think they might have came together new.( I Hope). My biggest concerns were the black hands but they too seem right after looking at other 992B's from the mid 40's. Does this watch and the specs above go together?
What do you guys think?
I read some of the posts about the "clipped 10" and my question would be does this help or hurt the desirability of the watch for collectors? Thanks, Donnie

On the contrary, the "clipped 10" is a sought-after variant associated with the immediate postwar period.

Donnie nice watch.I also have a 992B with the clipped 10 s/n c466527 but was made in the 50's.Regards Roger

That is why I love this site - all this new info I had no idea about. I have one of these dials and always thought it was just defective. But are you saying the "clipped 10" was a repeated defect in which the "10" is cut off near center sunk-in portion of some of the porcelain HRS Boxcar dials and is actually a good thing to have?
Dan

Dan,

Yes, as a Hamilton collector, I consider it desirable on a correct watch produced in the immediate postwar period, such as yours.

Roger's example was put on a later 992B from the 50's that should have a melamine dial to be correct.

Hamilton started phasing out porcelain enamel Heavy Gothic RWS dials (such as the "clipped 10") and transitioning to melamine in 1948.

Ed,
Do you think the dial and hands are correct for the postwar serial # of the watch in the picture? (Movement# C138965=1946). Thanks, Donnie T.

Yes, they look correct to me.

Donnie,
You mention that you were not sure about the black hands on the watch, do you know if the blue hands were ever used on them and what timeframe? I thought that 992Bs all had black hands?
Dan

Thanks to Edwards explation of the "clipped 10" I removed it from my movt.[1950's] and replced it with a melamine #121.I think now it should be correct. Thanks Edward. Roger

Dan, I found some good info concerning the Black/Blue 992B hands in the attached post. Thanks,Donnie T

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...311058011#4311058011

Wow, Donnie is already making effective use of the search function after only a few days of membership. I'm impressed.

That's all good information about blued vs. black hands.

When the 992B was introduced, it was always Hamilton's intent that they have black hands, but they reverted to blue when they couldn't get black hands. The two main periods were right after the 992B was introduced, and the immediate postwar period.

During periods of wartime shortages (circa 1942-1944) they even used blue diamond crossbar hands.


Here's a Set of Blue Diamond Crossbar Hands on a Signature Type 2 992B I Sold in the IHC Auction

Thanks for the link Donnie, and looking forward to more of your posts!
Dan

Edward, Funny that you would post that pic with those Blue Diamond Crossbar Hands. I found this one yesterday and marked it off as wrong hands.
So does this watch and hands look right to you? I don't have the serial# but the seller says its a 1946.

Donnie T.

Ed-

Does the clipped 10 actually add value or is it just another variant people look for when collecting?

Thanks,

Jared

Donnie,

Hamilton is known to have used blued diamond crossbar hands at times when they couldn't get the standard black spade/whip/dart hands. The immediate postwar period was one of those times, so those hands are most likely original.

Jared,

I think you answered your own question. Of course you are right, the "clipped 10" is "just another variant."

However, it is the nature of pocket watch collectors to want to own all the variants. That makes them compete to buy them up, and therein lies the value.