992B - Seeking advice before the purchase!

[Jerry Bryant]

I have an opportunity to purchase my second Hamilton 992, this time however, it is a 992B SN C354797. This 992B is in a GF Case Model #2, with the Bar Over Crown feature. Here are some photos that were provided for my consideration:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=16153339&uid=5309554&members=1

This posting is an invitation to get feedback and advice from those of you who have the trained eye and experience to readily recognize problems, such as originality issues, switched parts, etc.:o

My hope is, that by using this approach, I can get it right the first time, and not have to worry about anything except getting my 992B cleaned, oiled, and the time regulated!:clap:

Jerry
grammar correction

[terry hall]

Jerry,
I will let some others have some input before I jump in... :)

[Jerry Bryant]

I have until late Sunday morning to make my decision about this 992B. Working under my own observation, I am already wondering about the dial... was this 992B originally equipped with a porcelain dial that has been switched out with one of those melamine dials?

Here's a question to which I would like an answer - did all 992's and 992B's come from the Hamilton factory with porcelain dials? How about the factory crystals - did Hamilton use only glass crystals, or was plastic ever used?

Jerry

[mdloggins]

This watch most probably came with a melamine dial as the watch was made in the '50's I believe. By that time conversion to all melamine production had probably occurred. Early 992b's did come with porcelain dials. I would venture to say that all 992's originally came with porcelain dials but could be wrong.

Don't know if case is original to watch. Also, don't know if glass dials were always used. My guess would be that they were glass.
'

[Don Dahlberg]

Melamine dials were introduced in the late 40s. Glass crystals were required for railroad standards and few 992B watches were purchased for any other reason at this time.

Don

[Dbailey]

Were model #2 cases still used to house their watches in the 50's?
Dennis

[Don Dahlberg]

It was last shown in the 1954 catalog. It is possible that some were even sold later.

Don

[Jerry Bryant]

This 992B's auction price went higher than I was willing to pay. However, the information that was shared on this posting has served to educate me further, so that I will be even better prepared to continue the hunt for a 992B to add to my collection!

I'd like to express my gratitude to each of you who took the time to offer your sage advice, and share your valuable knowledge.

Jerry

[terry hall]

Jerry

Feel free to contact me off board anytime...

and my invitation to a Chapter 17 is still valid...

I can arrange a 'show-n-tell' of various models for display

click below

http://www.nawcc-mb.com/bbv2/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=8;gtid=226778



http://www.nawcc-carolina17.org/MeetingAnnouncement.asp

http://www.nawcc-carolina17.org/default.htm