I picked up this private label E.W. Briggs Hamilton movement and would like to find an appropriate case for it. Would also like some background on E.W. Briggs. I know Tom will be able to dig up something.

Roger,
You should consider a hamilton display case.
Tony

Boy, what a beautiful movement..If anyone can find the information Tom will. In fact, I think we should have a seperate section for Private Label watches and information added here. It would make it easier and more convenient to track them.

Ray

1920 census Brandon, Rutland, Vermont
Edward W. Briggs born about 1849 in Vermont, listed as a jeweler owner retail store. Married to Helen L. born about 1851 in Vermont

Tom

in 1870 Brandon, Rutland Vermont

he was living with his parents & he was listed as an apprentice jeweler. His father was Sumner Briggs born about 1810 in Mass. & was a carriage maker, his mother Louisa about 1812, & an older brother Henry D. about 1839 was a carriage trimmer

1900 census Brandon Rutland Vermont
shows he was born March 1848, Helen Jan 1850, at this time they had a daughter Elizabeth born Sept 1873

Industries and wealth of the principal points in Vermont (1891)

EDWARD W. BRIGGS, Jeweler, Park Street.— A leading and prosperous establishment in its particular branch of mercantile industry is that of Mr. Edward W. Briggs, watchmaker and jeweler. The business he is conducting was originally established by D. F. Sexton, in 1881 ; in 1886, the firm became Sexton & Briggs, and finally, some months ago, Mr. Briggs succeeded to sole ownership. The spacious store is elegantly fitted up with handsome counters, show cases and shelving, on and in which is displayed the valuable and well selected stock carried, embracing a fine assortment of watches, chains, diamonds and other precious stones, silver and plated ware, spectacles, eye glasses, clocks, and fine jewelry of every description. A feature of the business is a fine stock of sewing machines and supplies, such as oils, etc. The house makes a specialty in fine watch
and jewelry repairing, also sewing machine repairing, and commands a trade of wide and extensive proportions. Mr. Briggs was born in Salisbury, but has always lived in Brandon. He is rated as
one of the city's enterprising and respected merchants and honored
citizens.

Thanks Tom for the great info. I will print it and keep it with the watch. Thanks Tony & Ray. A display case would be nice, but I would settle for any decent period case that would work and be affordable.

Roger

Roger, I have a nicely decorated 25 Yr Gold Filled Monitor case. It needs a crystal, but is pretty nice. It is also uncut for a lever, as yours is pendant setting this is a plus. If you want to discuss this send me your phone# and when you can talk about it to david@glopar.com . . .

David...Thanks for the call. Nice doing business with you. The Hamilton will look great in it.

Roger

David's Monitor case arrived today. Super fast shipping! The case is VERY nice and Dave even included a brand new crystal with it. I need to clear a couple of jobs off my bench and then I will get the movement in the case and post some pictures.

Thanks David!

Roger

Maybe we should start using a motto or slogan such as "HELPING HANDS IN HOROLOGY"....


Good job guys, teamwork....works for me...!

Regards,

Jerry

I put the 974 in the beautiful case I got from David Abbe. It fit perfectly. There is one little glitch, however. The Hamilton 974 uses a wind/set mechanism that is a lot like a wristwatch. The detent between winding and setting is in the movement. This requires a stem that has a notch to push and pull the lever between set and wind. I believe the proper name would be 'winding arbor'. If anyone has a stem/winding arbor for the 974 or can loan me one so I can duplicate it it would be much appreciated. I believe the same stem was used on early 1888 model 16s Waltham pocket watches.

Thanks,
Roger

I will look through my parts movements, but in the mean time, I guess the part number is 319 & should look like this, right Roger?

Tom

Tom...I couldn't find the Hamilton Part number, but that sure looks like the part that would make it work. Thanks for the help.

Roger

I am kind of confused about this Roger, I have a Hamilton 974 but it takes a different stem set up. Here are photos of it, if it is the kind you need your welcome to borrow it.

Tom

Sorry Tom, I should have been more clear. Mine is an early 974 from 1905 with a 6 digit serial number 326010. I think they changed to the more familiar mech. that you pictured at a later date. Note the screw near the arrow on the movement in the first pic of this thread.

Roger

Tom, After you posted the picture of the stem and part number 319 I was able to find it in my book. That is what I need.

Roger

Doesn't look like I have that one then but at least we know what it looks like.

Tom

Brian C. has the part and will be sending it to me. Thanks Brian!

Roger

I have a Hamilton ser#65748 Model 975 - 17j - Htg - S.R. 1901 that has been serviced, but needs the unique Hamilton part #319 as is mentioned in Roger's post, and as shown in Tom Brown's reply. I don't have the ability to lath the pieces, so was wondering if anyone could suggest where I might be able to purchase this part?

The movement is currently housed in an OF case, and I intend moving it to a HC which houses a newer 1910 Model 975 movement. Images attached.

Thanks.

Gordon

Email Brian Cavanaugh at pwpartsetc@pwatch.com

He asks that you put something watch related in the subject so he doesn't think it is junk mail.

Brian is a member here & he might also spot this.

Tom

Roger,
You have a nice looking Hamilton their. I am glad David and Brian were able to help you out.
I have a 974 that is a very smoothe winding and nice running watch.

Hi Tom, thanks for the info.

Edward, yes I rather like it. But may just leave it in its current case if can't find the detent stem. Drat!

Ooops, sorry Ed, thought u were refering to mine.

Thanks Ed, I owe completed pictures on the thread and will get to it eventually. People like Private Label Vermont watches in my neck of the woods right on the VT border.

Gordon, your low serial number movement will not go into any case, hunter or OF and be able to wind and set without the proper stem. It just may take awhile to get it.

Roger

I finally got pictures of the completed Private Label Hamilton 974. Thanks to all who helped, especially Dave Abbe for a great case for it and Tom Brown for the historical info on Mr. Briggs and the stem info and Brian C. for supplying the stem itself.

Fantastic! Congratulations on reviving a really excellent example of a private label 974.

Hooray!

That's beautiful!

Roger - that turned out to be a really fine looking watch...with a little help from our friends!