Internet Horology Club 185
Hamilton 4992B [Actually 3992B] question...

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/990103944/m/9443932987

February 09, 2017, 21:56
Paul Harlow
Hamilton 4992B [Actually 3992B] question...
Hi All-
I have had this pocket watch for some time and have always seen where it should start with a 4C in the serial number. As you can see my watch is a 4992B but as you can see mine starts with a 3C.

Any info will be welcomed.
Paul


February 09, 2017, 21:57
Paul Harlow
Here is the dial


February 09, 2017, 22:30
Dan Carter
The dial looks like a British version of the 4992B. Serial number too I think. Do you have a picture of the case back?

4992B post
February 09, 2017, 22:41
Paul Harlow
The case back is plain with no markings I will post it later. I was also told that the factory used surplus 3992B contract movements in some early 4992B's to use them up
Paul
February 11, 2017, 11:11
Paul Harlow
Here is the back of the 4992B


February 11, 2017, 15:01
Dan Carter
It could have been recased. Either way, the dial looks to be a British or Canadian dial. Not sure, just going off of the info found here on the site. Might be worthwhile to check / post on the military portion of this site. Nice watch, though.
Dan
February 11, 2017, 17:19
Gary E. Cochran
The dial is a British Military Broad Arrow dial...
February 11, 2017, 17:40
Gary E. Cochran
Paul there is a lot of info on this site to research more about your watch...There are a lot of folks here also with a lot of knowledge about military watches...I would suggest that you join our site...It is only $12 per year, which is very reasonable, and I am sure you will find out more about your watches...Just go down to Join and Support Internet Group 185 for more info...
February 12, 2017, 11:29
Paul Harlow
I just joined and payed the dues. Thanks!
February 12, 2017, 12:02
Buster Beck
Thanks for joining up !! It will take a day for them to process your request as its a volunteer site and today is Sunday.

I also recommended to management to move this thread in its entirety to our military watch forum as its is either all military or made to look that way but there are some problems like not having a marked case etc. At any rate we have some great military watch gurus that know a wealth about different aspects of military style watches.

Welcome to IHC185 !!

regards,
bb
February 12, 2017, 12:40
Gary E. Cochran
Welcome aboard Paul...
February 12, 2017, 15:53
Lindell V. Riddle

Paul,

What is missing from your watch is the original case-back which has the same "coin-finish" around the edge like you have on the front bezel and markings such as you see (A. M. stands for "Air Ministry" of England) in the image below this posting.

As our Dan Carter pointed out above, you apparently have most of a 3992B with correct "Broad Arrow" dial. We have a great deal of 3992B information in our Military Forum.

BEGIN BY CLICKING HERE..."Evolution Of 4992B and 3992B Markings, Numbers and Database"

As Scott Whittey explained in July of 2011 (and shown in many IHC postings) the 4992B was a 24-hour Master Navigational Watch and the 3992B was a 12-hour Master Navigational Watch. Your 12-hour dial originally fronted a 3992B movement.

An IHC "Find-Or-Search" for "3992B Broad Arrow" will bring up some additional details.

(Topic moved to our "Military Forum" for proper attention.)

Keep up your research!

Lindell

Wink


Case-Back on movement number 3C170 in my collection...


February 13, 2017, 22:18
Paul Harlow
I got this information today.

3C serial numbers were sold as a 4992B versus a 3992B. Your serial number 3C2595 shows being shipped in 1946 to the War Assets Corp which was the organization who handled the liquidation of excess government inventories. England no longer needed the 3992B's so they were converted at the factory and sold as 4992B's

Any thoughts?
Paul
February 17, 2017, 21:46
Scott A. Whittey
Aloha Paul
Your 3992B is just that a 3992B in order for it to be a 4992B it would have a 24 hour orbit [and black 24-hour dial] which it clearly does not and there is no evidence that it was “converted at the factory” it may have been shipped after the war in 1946 however it was shipped as a 3992B
Mahalo Scott