Hamilton 974 to 992

[Dutto11]

Hi Guys,
I was wondering what the differences between a 974 and a 992 are apart from the jewel count.
My question is for a parts movement that I have(992) and I would like to get it back running again by using parts from a 974 (if possible).
Are the gears and pivots the same and is the balance interchangeable.
I know this may sound like a Frankenstein Watch but will only do this as a last resort.
Many Thanks in advance.
Gary

[Robert Sweet]

Hi Gary,
As I search through a 1935 Hamilton Material Catalog, I find that the following 16 size model movements are grouped together for interchangable parts: 960, 961, 970, 971, 990, 991, 992, 993, and 994.

With respect to the 974, the following movements are grouped together for interchangable parts: 956, 964, 965, 968, 969, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978.

The major concern is that several parts in the two groups have dedicated parts for some models and some are serial number specific.

Robert

[terry hall]

the balance should be serialized to the watch... and of course the hairspring would be balance specific... and mainspring strengths are different...

[Dutto11]

Thanks guys for you replies.
The main problem I have is that the movement I have is a shell of what it should be so maybe it is forever going to be a parts piece.
It is handy to note which movements have interchangable part though.
Cheers
Gary

[Don Dahlberg]

There are still many common parts. Hamilton is in the Pennsylvania Dutch spirit and was frugal as possible. If there was not a good reason for using a different part, they would not. Just to pick one example, the mainspring barrel and barrel arbors are the same, even though the maisnpring is not exactly. The less friction in the 992 requied a weaker mainspring.

You need to ask us by part or write the research@NAWCC.org with your membership number and I can send you scans of the parts lists for both. Also give me the serial number of the 992 so we can have the era correct.

Don

[Dutto11]

Don,
Thanks for that, very usefull information.
I will send the serial number through tonight my time as it is at home and I'm at work at the moment.
Cheers
Gary

[Tom Huber]

GAry, Just to add to Don's post above. I would think that the center wheel, third wheel and fourth wheel would interchange from the 974. The palate fork and the escape wheel are different. 992 had conical pivots (for cap jewels), and the 974 had cylindrical pivots. The cannon pinion, the hour and minute wheels under the dial would be the same. All lever setting parts would be the same.

One thing to keep in mind for all parts switching. All parts on the 992 had a finer finish to them. Parts with a lesser finish might not look great on a 992.

Good luck.

Tom

[Dutto11]

Tom,
Thanks for that and I understand that the 992 is a much higher grade watch and the parts I need might only be the ones that are under the plates and hidden.
Maybe a bit more investigation is needed but I would like to give it a go just to see if it can be done.(by me that is)
Cheers
Gary

[Robert Sweet]

Gary,
What are the serial numbers of the two movements?

Robert

[Dutto11]

Robert,
I'm at work at the moment and I will post it later on today my (Australia) time.
I only have a 992 shell that I would like to get going again.
Why I started this post was to see if a 992 can have parts from other movements installed as a replacement, the 974 was the first
movement that came to mind as I thought the plates looked much the same from a visual point of view.

Gary

[Dutto11]

Hi Guys,
Here is the serial number:-#1117262.
I hope this will help you find a date.

Gary

[Robert Sweet]

Gary,
Your 992 was made in 1916. This is the second model of the 992 series. It should have a gold center wheel, gold meantime screws and gold damaskeening.

Robert

[terry hall]

robert... do you mean gold engraving (lettering) instead of damaskeen ?

[Robert Sweet]

Terry,
Yes, Thanks. Halligan described it as gold damaskeening is his 992 movement history, but I suppose he was in a hurry like I was early this morning.

Robert

[Kent]

Why shouldn't it be gold damaskeening? Some 992s were finished that way. Gary ought to be able to tell us, he does have the plates.

[Dutto11]

Guys,
The plates have a "Ribon Damaskeening" with gold engraving (lettering).
Normal nickle finish to the plates.
Gary

[Robert Sweet]

I would like to make a correction to my earlier post about the 992, 2nd model damaskeening.

It should have read "new pattern damaskeening " and not "Gold damaskeening".

I'm sorry for any confusion this error may have caused.

I will start posting just a bit later in the mornings after I've had at least 2 cups of coffee. :o:=

Robert