Hamilton 992B

[abereiter]

Hello to all and thanks for all the help. I am finding myself quickly loveing the beauty of all watches (pocket type of course). I have only elgins and one Illionos in my collection. All of them are railroad approved. I am interested in a 992b Hamilton and might replace my BWR with it as my daily watch. I would like to aquire as nice of an example as I can but want something I can use and wear on. What are the painted dials? Are they original hamilton pieces? I see several auctions on eBay that have these type dials and dont want to end up with anything funky. I have learned through this board the difference between the enamel dials and the melamine? type. Any info would be helpful and thanks in advance, Aaron

[abereiter]

Hello to all and thanks for all the help. I am finding myself quickly loveing the beauty of all watches (pocket type of course). I have only elgins and one Illionos in my collection. All of them are railroad approved. I am interested in a 992b Hamilton and might replace my BWR with it as my daily watch. I would like to aquire as nice of an example as I can but want something I can use and wear on. What are the painted dials? Are they original hamilton pieces? I see several auctions on eBay that have these type dials and dont want to end up with anything funky. I have learned through this board the difference between the enamel dials and the melamine? type. Any info would be helpful and thanks in advance, Aaron

[John Cote]

Aaron,

There are actually 3 types of dials seen on Hamilton watches on eBay, with several sub types. The painted type you may have seen could be a reproduction. The repros typically look like a double sunk Montgomery Railway Special dial. The difference is that the repros have soft or rounded edges on the sinks.

If I were going to buy my ideal 992-B, it would be an early one with a genuine double sunk porcelain Railway Special dial. The best and hardest to find of these is the Bold Montgomery version the copy of which I have described above. To me, a Melamine dial, even a perfect one really detracts from the value of the watch.

As far as wearing a 992-B is concerned it is a great choice. Buy a nice one and don't worry about it. It was meant to be worn, and if you wear out the case in 20 years, they aren't rare and you can buy another one.

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JohnCote
President, Indiana Chapter 18 - NAWCC
Member Chapter 149 (Member #105)
http://www.interstatetime.com

[Lindell V. Riddle]

Excellent advice from John, as always!

The 992-B is plentiful and not yet over-priced. I might use the reproduction "Railway Special" dial on a daily use watch in order to preserve the original porcelin-enamel version which is becoming increasingly difficult to find.

For a case on a daily use basis you'll never wear out the "Model 15" stainless-steel case, and again that would preserve the gold-filled case which like porcelin-enamel dials will soon be very hard to find in nice condition. In fact we may already be at that time and place!


Lindell