Internet Horology Club 185
Interesting Hamilton Case?

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June 24, 2005, 19:55
Samie L. Smith
Interesting Hamilton Case?
Here is a unusally Hamilton case this is The Drake ca. 1935.987-f movement.

each end of the bezel is engraved with a set of wings and shield that looks very similar to the dial on the Illinois Skyway watch..At frist i thought they were exactly the same ,, the wings are the same as the Skyway watch but the shield is a little different..

I would like to know the history on this watch ,,who owned it etc.


June 24, 2005, 19:56
Samie L. Smith
edge of the bezel


June 24, 2005, 19:57
Samie L. Smith
3


June 24, 2005, 22:05
William J. Hansen, Ph.D.
Wow! How cool is that engraving! Is there any clue on the inside of the back of the case? Any noteworthy engraving there, or on the back? I suspect this is a Mystery for Bryan G., Will R., and Mark C. Let us see what they can say about this curious engraving...


Bill Hansen
IHC# 198
Life Member# 17
June 24, 2005, 22:26
Samie L. Smith
Bill engraved on the back is Helen to Ross 6-29-34 hallmarked inside the case back is H-6/0 wadsworth and pat/ date 05-3-27..not anything that helps explain the engraving..could it be a early airline logo..
June 25, 2005, 06:48
William J. Hansen, Ph.D.
United States Air Force?


Bill Hansen
IHC# 198
Life Member# 17
June 25, 2005, 08:36
Bryan J. Girouard
That is a really neat engraving. Most likely done by a talented engraver, rather than at the Hamilton factory.

As the Air Force didn't exist in its current name prior to about 1947, if there is a military association with the engravings on the watch, it would be either Army Air Corps or perhaps Naval Aviation... perhpas someone with more knowledge about the history of U.S. Military aviation could identify the insignia more accurately.


Bryan J. Girouard
Art Deco Wristwatches
July 04, 2008, 04:02
Dan Feldstein
Hi, I'm new on the boards. I have an Illinois Skyway in near mint condition. The dial is original however has some aging. What everyone's concensus about leaving the dial alone, or refinishing it. The aging is not bad, but there are light discolorations. My dial refinisher said he could not refinish the dial. Does anyone know of someone who could refinish a Skyway? Thanks in advance. Dan F.


Dan F.
July 04, 2008, 19:47
Wayne Hanley
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforce/l/blafbadges.htm

U.S. Air Force Pilot Wings
July 07, 2008, 23:24
Lindell V. Riddle

Thanks Wayne, I did not know of the many different styles of wings!

Smile

Welcome Aboard Dan!

You have a really unique style watch. About refinishing your dial, it would help a lot to see a picture. Let us begin with the fact it was once just a part of major service to refinish metal wristwatch dials. That being said, original dials are not at all common today, unless it is terrible looking I would tend to favor carefully cleaning and preserving it rather than do something that can never be undone.

Like cutting down a tree, refinishing an original dial is irreversible.

But others may have a different opinion.

Lindell

Wink

July 10, 2008, 06:43
Phillip Sanchez
Nice to have you with us, Dan. How about trying to post a photo? Let us have a look. Thanks, Phil.

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