Hamilton Serial NUmber vs. Grade Tables [Archive] - National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Message Board

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Kent

08-27-2005, 05:40 PM

Serial number vs. grade tables were published in a Hamilton 1947 Material Catalog and may be viewed online:
Serial Number 1 - 194,000 (http://photos22.flickr.com/37806748_49dc2df6d3_o.jpg)
Serial Number 194,001 - 501,000 (http://photos21.flickr.com/37816247_b78aa4b56e_o.jpg)
Serial Number 501,001 - 923,000 (http://photos21.flickr.com/37816248_a8d3f4bd20_o.jpg)
Serial Number 923,001 - 1,513,600 (http://photos21.flickr.com/37816249_69ee5966ca_o.jpg)
Serial Number 1,513,601 - 4,523,000 & Letter Prefix Serial Numbers (http://photos27.flickr.com/37816250_c7b7ca933b_o.jpg)

Kent

08-27-2005, 05:40 PM

Jeff Hess

08-27-2005, 11:45 PM

Thanks Kent!

Wes

08-28-2005, 06:20 AM

Thanks Kent!
Are there any differences of information between this and what is published in Cooksey's or Roy's books?

Kent

08-28-2005, 06:43 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Are there any differences of information between this and what is published in Cooksey's or Roy's books? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Wes:

Those two sources aren't attributed, but are probably from the same source. I just wanted to have an authoritative reference available online.

Tony_S

08-29-2005, 05:16 AM

Good info, Thanks!

Can anyone tell me what all of the different suffix letters mean? For example: 992, 992L, 992P, 992E, 992M.P. What would be the differences between these models?

Kent

08-29-2005, 05:28 AM

Tony:

992P and 992L were used to designate pendant and lever setting versions. Neither the 'L' nor 'P' were ever stamped on the movements, just '992'

However, 'E' designated those watches fitted with elinvar hairsprings and the movements were marked "Elinvar"

rrwatch

08-29-2005, 06:48 AM

Tony,
I am not familiar with a 992M.P. designation. If your last example was meant to be 922 MP, then the MP stands for Master Piece. This was a Grade 922 with a finer finish and engraved "Masterpiece" on the plates. There may have been other differences between the 922 and the 922 MP, if so, perhaps one of the resident experts on 12 size Hamiltons can enlighten all of us. :smile:

Don Dahlberg

08-29-2005, 08:49 AM

The MPs had extra heavy 18K Gold or Platinum cases and came in a fancy leather box.

I have not checked out the adjustments or timing specs. They may have been higher standards.

Don

terry hall

08-29-2005, 09:31 AM

don,
922 MP, correct... ?

no records on 992MP... ?

Tom Huber

08-29-2005, 12:42 PM

Don, About 20 years ago there was an article in "The Bulletin" on hamilton Masterpiece movements. Can't remember who wrote the article. It stated that the MP movements were "just tweaked a little bit better" than the standard movements. I guess that means a little better finish, case, etc.

Tom

Tom McIntyre

08-29-2005, 03:21 PM

Didn't Hamilton make a 982M and a 911M also? :wink: Perhaps that belongs in another forum.

Jerry Treiman

08-29-2005, 04:06 PM

The Hamilton 922MP was distinguished from the standard 922 in a few respects. As already pointed out, it was marked "MASTERPIECE" on the center bridge and came in a special 18K or platinum case. However, it was also different in NOT having the 922 grade number on the barrel bridge and in having an INVAR balance wheel (which is identifiable by the location of the cut in the rim, which is further from the balance arm than on a standard balance wheel). You can see the location of the cut in the inset in the Masterpiece photo in THIS THREAD (http://nawcc-***-mb.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/5656047761/m/6746050013/r/9246061223#9246061223).