I have 3 Hamilton 974 Special movements of which one is a complete watch. The other two are running movements.
Two have black inscriptions on the movement sn 2551085 and 2535389 and the balance wheels are the same, split.
The other one has been over cleaned and the inscriptions on the movement seem to be a washed out gold color. The sn is 2538350 and the balance wheel is a metal color and is not split.
Does anyone know if the Hamilton changed the balance wheel and put a solid balance wheel in the 974 Special? If not this one is going back.

Thanks,
Harry

Harry,

what is the color of the hairspring? The balance/hairspring combo may be an Elinvar replacement.

Hi Kevin it is a silver color.

Harry,

the elinvar type alloys are silver in color, although I believe some of the earlier versions were colored blue to emulate the traditional steel. My guess is the balance is a replacement.

Thank you Kevin. Do you have any idea if this would hurt the value of this movement? The seller says it is keeping accurate time but he did not say the balance had been replaced and he sales enough watches where he would have known it was not original. I have heard the Elinvar hairspring was not any good but I have no personal knowledge of this.

I don't know if it would or not. Most collectors like originality. Maybe the balance itself has value, but most movements are hurt in value with a replaced balance. The earlier Elinvar springs were supposed to be a bit of a disappointment, but the later Elinvar extra used on the 992b was the cat's meow. Maybe the Hamilton gurus can add some extra light.

Harry,

You've got an incorrect Elinvar balance in your 974 Special that someone transplanted from a later watch. This effectively reduces it to parts watch status as far as collectibility is concerned.

I'm moving this topic to the Hamilton forum, which is where it belongs.

Thank you Ed and Kevin.
Harry