I just picked up a Ball locally and would appreciate opinions. It appears to me to be the equivalent of the Hamilton 944?

I'll see what others think. The case is brassy and there is a chip on the dial at the lever as well as a HL.

The movement was just cleaned by an old watchmaker here in town. I do not know him but it appears clean and is running.

Movement was just professionally cleaned and I'm now checking accuracy. Comments good and bad are welcome and encouraged.

Ball Model swing out case s brassy but free of dents.

Movement marking detail. Serial Number is 642,186

I didn't show the bezel or case back. Crystal is a NOS glass in perfect shape. Case shows the wear of a working watch. Any comment are encouraged, both good and bad.

Mike, I'm no expert but are you suggesting that this is not a 999 as on the movement? That would hint that the plate has been changed.

Yes the base movement for these was the 944.Beautiful movement looks too be in good conditon.

Pretty decent example Mike, the Ball Model case is probably original. The dial chip looks restorable using Lin's spackle compound method.

Ralph, No, I was only hinting that this appears to be the equivalent to the 19 Jewel 944, much like the later 16s 999 was based on the 992 and 992B models. Thanks Ed, I will live with this dial for now as it is totally covered by the bezel. Samie confirmed my suspicions about the base model. I really like the Hamilton 944 I have as it reflects Steve Middlesworth's concerns about wasted jeweling.

Mike, the only significant difference I can see between the 944 and the 999 is in the regulator adjustment hardware. The Ball looks similar to the Hamilton 16s (and other) designs with everything including the regulator pointer and scale on the balance cock. I went through my 19J Ball a few months ago and replaced the balance staff and mainspring, both took standard 944 parts. Really nice watches.

Bob

For being cleaned, oiled, and adjusted the regulator should be in the middle.

Larry

Yes Larry. That would be what I thought. I am running the watch now to check its accuracy. The fellow I bought it from had just received it back from the watchmaker. he indicated the guy had "cleaned it and put in a new crystal" I would have thought the guy woud have adjusted it somewhat as well. I got what I felt was a good enough deal on this that I'll live with the regulator as is. If it times out as needing an adjustment, I'll work at that. Good observation.