Ball Watch Serial Number Question

[Thomas Tallant]

Hello,

Can anyone tell me anything about a 16s Ball RR watch, serial number B638308? I'd like to confirm if it is a Hamilton Ball, and what model it is, as well as year of production.

Thanks,

Thomas Tallant

[Kent]

Thomas:

According to the serial number vs. date table on page 34 of American Railroad Watches, George E. Townsend, Col. G.E. Townsend, Alma, MI, 1977 (no longer in print), serial number B638308 was built by Hamilton in 1930. The number of jewels isn't listed but going by the examples contained in the data base that Ed Ueberall and I maintain, it should be a 21-jewel movement.

Good luck,

[Thomas Tallant]

Kent,

Thanks for this information; can you tell me what model this is? I also have two other Ball serial numbers I can't find information on:

B263,326 (Commercial Standard, 17j)
B213,197 (19j)

I appreciate your help.

Thomas

[Robert Sweet]

Adding to Kent's usual fine comments:

The movement is question is a Model 999 and is 21 jewels as Kent mentioned.

According to Hamilton Watch Company's "Finishing Dept. Records", serial number B638308 was one of a 1,000 movement lot (B638001-B639000) that went to the finishing dept in two separate lots on Jan. 14, 1930 and May 16, 1930. The movements were normally completed in one to six months.

Robert

[Kent]

Thomas:

I don't think that Hamilton assigned a model number to 16-size Ball watches.

Using page 36 of the same reference mentioned above:

B263,326 (Commercial Standard, 17j) - 1915 - Waltham S/N 22,263,326
B213,197 (19j) - 1904 - Waltham S/N 13,213,197

The dates are very approximate for the Waltham-Ball watches. It appears the the Waltham serial numbers were assigned in large blocks to make Ball serial numbers (which are the Waltham serial numbers, less the millions digits) come out sequentially. In a recent look at the 1907 (13 runs) and 1912 (8 runs) serial numbers, Ed and I noticed that, using the nominal dates, there is a five-year gap between orders of 15,000 watches, each year.

[Robert Sweet]

Kent,
With regard to the grade of the Ball movement, serial number B638308, my source of information is from the John Gelson/Lowell Halligan list.

Robert

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2002/2048297411_62727d7b3d_o.jpg

[Kent]

Robert, et. al.:

Quite right! It is a grade No. 999.

However, I don't think that there is a model number assigned to the 16-size Hamilton-Ball watches.

[Robert Sweet]

Kent,
Thank you. A technical knockout. :bang:

Robert