Hamilton 950L

[shawnaraye]

I have a Hamilton pocket watch and the serial # identifies it as a 950L. I have never seen or heard of a 950L before (I haven't been involved with watches very long). The watch also has Elinvar under the hair spring. serial # 1652xxx Has someone chandged stuff around on this watch? What might be tha approximate value? Case is a Wadsworth 10K GF. watch is in near-mint condition.

[shawnaraye]

I have a Hamilton pocket watch and the serial # identifies it as a 950L. I have never seen or heard of a 950L before (I haven't been involved with watches very long). The watch also has Elinvar under the hair spring. serial # 1652xxx Has someone chandged stuff around on this watch? What might be tha approximate value? Case is a Wadsworth 10K GF. watch is in near-mint condition.

[shawnaraye]

Sorry about asking value, new to the board, won't happen again. Thanks

[terry hall]

The 950L would mean Lever Set.....

But with the serial number you are quoting, it should not say Elinvar under the balance.... are U sure the first digit is a 1 and not a 2?

Is the balance solid or does it have two splits in it?

The pallet bridge is interchangable between watches...

[shawnaraye]

Thanks Terry, balance has 2 splits in it, complete serial is 1652364

[Kent]

The use of Elinvar is inconsistent in a Hamilton watch bearing a serial number of 1,652,364. That would be about 1924-1926 according to the serial number vs. grade/date table in "Hamilton Hand-Written Serial Numbers No. 1 To 824,700, by Col. George E. Townsend," by Roy Ehrhardt, Heart of America Press, Kansas City, MO, 2000 (Still in print - see Heart of America Press (http://www.hoapress.com)).

Elinvar hairsprings weren't used in in Hamilton watches until 1931 for the 992E and 1937 for the 950E (the 'E' suffix indicating Elinvar). There is a possibility that this was an experimental watch, created by Hamilton as they tried to develop the Elinvar hairspring, making a Real Special watch. But it is very unlikely and we would like to know if the plate that bears the word "Elinvar" also carries the same movement serial number (on its opposite side). If you could post a picture of the balance with the "Elinvar" marking below, that'd be helpful.

[terry hall]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">There is a possibility that this was an experimental watch, created by Hamilton as they tried to develop the Elinvar hairspring, making a Real Special watch </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


My personal opinion is that is a
s t r e t c h .....

but I agree...
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> But it is very unlikely... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


It is possible the pallet bridge is not marked with partial serial number below...
the balance should be marked with the movement serial number, usually hand-scratched......

Most likely this was made to deceive, but I have no proof of intentions........