973 Hamilton 5 position questions

December 04, 2012, 14:57

Mike Hodge

I recently aquired this 973 which is a positive pendant set, older model SN 335806. My question is regarding the 5 position adjust marking. My understanding is that they produced approx. 10,000 units of the 973, but, only around 3600 were marked 5 adjusts. I'll post this photo and someone will know for sure. This watch needs a good cleaning, but it does run pretty well now and I think it belongs in my collection next to the other two UNMARKED very early SNs. What say you?

December 04, 2012, 16:36

Lindell V. Riddle

Hello Mike,

The watch you are asking about number 335806 is a Grade 973 shown on the Gelson List as from 1905-1907 production. Your Grade 973 is the Hunter version of the 972 movement. All of the 972 and 973 are Railroad Grade 5-Position movements, but beginning in 1906 many Railroads no longer approved Pendant Set to enter Time Service and Hunters were being frowned on. In that same 1906 time-frame Grade Markings were becoming a requirement as well hence the marking you find on this one but not on your earlier examples.

By the way, according to Hamilton records there were approximately 6,000 total Pendant-Set versions of the 973 and about 3,600 of Lever-Set 973 movements produced. In my opinion this is an example would fit neatly into your collection and therefore is very much worthy of preservation.

Lindell

December 04, 2012, 20:02

Richard M. Jones

Mike i liked your question as to whether it belongs in your collection. Although I am primarily a Hampden collector I always think that if a watch catches my interest and is affordable it might be fun to study and just enjoy. I tend to service most watches I acquire and on a number I enjoy the watch and study its history and then trade or sell it so I can have more fun with another watch. I cannot afford to enjoy the hobby without doing that and I feel I acquire knowledge that way and hopefully break even.

December 04, 2012, 21:25

Mike Hodge

Thanks to both Lin and Deacon. I now see the 973 is still in the "single roller" configuration. I do like the marking and will clean and keep-for a while. Deacon, I too enjoy and then sell, so I can buy! The bulk of my watches are in my bank in Oregon so I have few here to enjoy. I really asked the question as to keeping with my wife's tongue in my cheek!

December 07, 2012, 22:17

Harry J. Hyaduck Sr.

Mike I have 2 Hamilton 973's. Both are marker 5 position and both are lever set. Serial numbers 365XXX and 776XXX.

September 18, 2013, 13:29

Ken Habeeb

Harry and Mike --

I located a marked Hamilton 973 very recently with a later s#763562. It was a target, thanks to Lindell's info, because it is an RR-grade five-position, lever-set version.
But I have a question for the purists: One longtime watchmaker told me it was OK to take a razor blade to a worn crown to bring it back? Is that OK or balderdash?

September 18, 2013, 13:30

Ken Habeeb

Good case but worn crown..

September 18, 2013, 14:54

Eugene Buffard

I would use a screw head file. A razor blade would be dangerous.

September 19, 2013, 20:20

Theodore J. Brown Sr.

Nice 973, Mike.Is that a detent-stem ? I see an arrow near an extra hole by the crown wheel, never seen that before....Regards, Ted.