My Hamilton 940

[John Odom]

My hobby interest is mainly Electro-Mechanical Clocks, But I have several watches.

This Hamilton 940 was my carry watch from 1954 until about 1980. I was doing some work in a scrubber on an iron foundry cupola when someone turned on the pumps and fans. I barely got out alive. (This was before OSHA's Lock-out Rules.) I went to the drug store and got alcohol and poured it into the movement, then took it straight to my watchmaker. He told me to stop carrying this nice watch. I did. It is now displayed on my dresser.

It is marked: Adjusted 5 positions, 529820, 21 Jewels 940 Safety Pinion, and Hamilton Watch Co. Lancaster, Pa.

The case says Illinois Watch Case Co. Spartan 0434963 on the inside, and IWCC Base Metal on the outside rim opposite the crown.

The dial was originally a nice porcelain double sunk one. It was replaced before I got the watch in 1954 because of a big chip. I still have the original dial somewhere.

When was the watch made, and to whom was it wholesaled?

I am hesitant to ask the next two questions since I have read the 42 page rant on "Switching," but I am seeking advice.

1. I would like to replace the dial with one similar at least to the original. Does anyone have one?

2. Since I no longer carry the watch I would love a "display case" with the glass back. Are they available?

I have a movement photo, but I don't know how to post it. I can email it to anyone interested.

[John Odom]

My hobby interest is mainly Electro-Mechanical Clocks, But I have several watches.

This Hamilton 940 was my carry watch from 1954 until about 1980. I was doing some work in a scrubber on an iron foundry cupola when someone turned on the pumps and fans. I barely got out alive. (This was before OSHA's Lock-out Rules.) I went to the drug store and got alcohol and poured it into the movement, then took it straight to my watchmaker. He told me to stop carrying this nice watch. I did. It is now displayed on my dresser.

It is marked: Adjusted 5 positions, 529820, 21 Jewels 940 Safety Pinion, and Hamilton Watch Co. Lancaster, Pa.

The case says Illinois Watch Case Co. Spartan 0434963 on the inside, and IWCC Base Metal on the outside rim opposite the crown.

The dial was originally a nice porcelain double sunk one. It was replaced before I got the watch in 1954 because of a big chip. I still have the original dial somewhere.

When was the watch made, and to whom was it wholesaled?

I am hesitant to ask the next two questions since I have read the 42 page rant on "Switching," but I am seeking advice.

1. I would like to replace the dial with one similar at least to the original. Does anyone have one?

2. Since I no longer carry the watch I would love a "display case" with the glass back. Are they available?

I have a movement photo, but I don't know how to post it. I can email it to anyone interested.

[Jon Hanson]

Hi,

I WOULD SAY THAT A GLASS BACK DISPLAY signed "Hamilton" CASE IS VASTLY SUPERIOR TO YOUR REPLACEMENT BASE METAL REPLACEMENT CASE.

Why not use the original dial, unless it s too ugly. Are the two dials you have signed differently? I believe the original dial should be signed "Hamilton" on your watch as it is a later Hamilton watch (the early ones should be signed "Hamilton watch Co.").

Jon

[Don Dahlberg]

Your watch is part of a batch 529001-530000 went to the Finishing Department on 1/16/07. If you are a member of NAWCC, you can write research@nawcc.org and request the date it was completed and the date sold and to whom. The 940 was a popular watch and should not have been side tracked and thus probably sold in spring of 07.

There were 209,498 Hamilton 940s produced. Production ended in 1927. 1907 was the year of largest production with 20,633 made. Yours is not long after they went to double rollers , engraved the "Adjusted 5 positions" and changed the stock metal used to "rutter blank". All this happening in 1906.

As long as a watch is not rare or mint, I am not much for locking them up. They were born to use. Yes, I took my watch off today while I was hanging on the walls of my house, scraping paint, but otherwise I wear them. I clean the ones I wear every three years. I have good watch chains and wear the crystal toward my body.

If you want to to display it, a display case is great. They are not great for carying, because the front and back bezels snap on tight. Again if you are a member of NAWCC, the marts are a great place to look.

I have not been able to find any Hamilton documents that show when the dials read "Hamilton Watch Co." versus just "Hamilton". Those who keep records of observed watches have a better idea than me, although they are often fooled by dial swapping. Does anyone have a best guess? This might give me some hints as to where to look. If you have the original dial, then you know what it says.

Don

[John Odom]

The original read simply "Hamilton" in a script-like font. it was badly broken and the chips gone. I'm not sure where I have kept it.

I was doing quite wild things in those days, taking jobs others felt to be too hard or too dangerous. I could probably safely carry it now. I wore a pocket watch until then, because no wrist watch seemed able to stand the abuse. when I put the Hamilton away, I bought a used Omega Constellation. The dealer said if my wrist survived the watch would, and it has. It is my present daily wear watch, except when I expect trouble, then a $5 quartz for the day!

The case is the one I got with it, The previous owner, who bought it junk in the 40s, said he sold the remains of the gold case and put it in the simple case on it now. It had been dropped. He completely rebuilt it, for his his examination watch at watchmaker's school. He was a good friend, long since dead.

I will try to find a display case and would like to find a suitable dial.

John O.

[Jon Hanson]

No problem--email me!