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?
Posts: 3112 | Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon in the USA | Registered: October 13, 2007
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
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
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.
Deacon
Posts: 1004 | Location: Omaha, Nebraska in the USA | Registered: February 14, 2009
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!
Posts: 3112 | Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon in the USA | Registered: October 13, 2007
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?
Posts: 921 | Location: California in the USA | Registered: March 25, 2013
