Hamilton 950, a white gold or nickel finish?

[Ralph Porter]

A friend of mine pointed out a picture on p. 228 of Shugart's '07 edition that shows a pendant-set 950, sn 1020650; and the caption says white gold finish movement. In contrast, the listings for the 950 in this reference as well as other sources indicate a nickel finish. It raises several questions that I hope some of you can answer.

1. Does the watch pictured actually have a white gold finish or is the caption incorrect? ???

2. If it is white gold, is that unique to this specific watch or are there others like it? or possibly just on pendant-set movements? ???

3. If there are others, what serial number rangses, what runs, etc? ???

I've looked at the pendant-set 950s in my collection, and although the movements are highly polished I certainly can't tell which metal. Hopefully there's some information available about the finishes.

Thanks,
Ralph Porter

[terry hall]

Ralph,

Kent Singer and Ed Ueberall made mention of the finish changes in their article in the RR Corner some years ago...

I cannot remember the details off hand...

But it is in Whole number 309

According to a Steve Mercer Bulletin cross reference, this is August 1997 issue.


If you can't find it or don't have it I will dig out my copy.... need a refresher anyway...

and Kent can of course reply....

[Robert Sweet]

Hello Ralph,
All of the Hamilton Timekeepers up through 1921 describes the 950 movement as being nickel.

I don't have access to a 1922 Timekeeper, but the 1923 shown below lists the 950 movement as being white gold.

Courtesy of "Don Dahlberg and NAWCC Library"

Robert

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2010/2042034416_809096507b_o.jpg

[terofpa]

Robert,

Is "white gold finish" a marketing term for nickel? That's what it seems to me.

ter

[Robert Sweet]

Ter,
My guess is that they used white gold flash or plate.

When the 950B was introduced in 1941, the bridge and plates were "Rhodium Plated".

Robert

[pocwatjim]

The 950 plates are plated with white gold. When you look at a 950 movement lay it beside a 992 movement and because of the WGF the 950 jumps up at you . It is truly a beautiful sight.

[terofpa]

The 950 plates are plated with white gold. When you look at a 950 movement lay it beside a 992 movement and because of the WGF the 950 jumps up at you . It is truly a beautiful sight.

I see what you mean.

ter

[Ralph Porter]

Thanks so much everyone, for the great info.
As pocwatjim suggested I looked at the 950 side by side with a 990, 992, and 992B; yes the 950 does stand out! Who'd have thought white gold plate after 1922! :thumb:

Thanks again,
Ralph Porter

[Ralph Porter]

To follow up;

The 950 in Shugart's book described as 'white gold finish' dates to 1914, clearly before the advertized use of gold plate.
Also the two in my collection, sn 1152177 (1915), and sn 1625947 (1920) pre-date the gold plate, but both have a brilliant polished finish.

I suppose they could have actually been finished several years later than the serial number indicates, or perhaps but unlikely, they could have been gold-plated before it was advertized. Then again mine may just be highly polished nickel.

I'd certainly welcome any further thoughts.....

Thanks,
Ralph