Hamiltom 950B one piece balance?

[Gotwatch]

Hello all, I just aquired a Hamilton 950B and was curious. The balance is of the one piece variety with no splits or bi-metal construction. Is this correct for this watch?

Ser #S7278 (cir. approx. 1948)

Thank you in advance.

[Gotwatch]

Hello all, I just aquired a Hamilton 950B and was curious. The balance is of the one piece variety with no splits or bi-metal construction. Is this correct for this watch?

Ser #S7278 (cir. approx. 1948)

Thank you in advance.

[Steve Maddox]

Yes.

All "B" series Hamilton watches (992B, 4992B, 950B, etc.) use "mono-metallic" balance wheels, which are made of a silver colored metal without cuts thruogh the rim. I believe that the metal used in the wheel is either "Invar" or "Glucydur," but I'm not absolutely certain.

In any event, the use of mono-metallic balance wheels in "adjusted" watches was first made possible by the developement of an alloy called "Elinvar," from which balance springs were made that required no temperature compensation. As the years passed, scores of other "compensating" metals were developed, such as "Elinvar 2," "Elinvar 3," "Parelinvar," "Parelinvar 2," "X-A-M," "Melius," "Metelinvar," Nivarox," "Conoruma," etc., but Elinvar was the first truly successful one.

Hope this helps!



------------------
Steve Maddox
VP, NAWCC Chapter #62
North Little Rock, Arkansas

[Gotwatch]

That did help Steve and brought great relief. Thank you Very much for the info.