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Kent
09-13-2003, 04:23 PM
Kyle:

According to data in Hamilton Hand-Written Serial Numbers No. 1 To 824,700, by Col. George E. Townsend/, by Roy Ehrhardt, Heart of America Press, Kansas City, MO, 2000 (Still in print - see Heart of America Press (http://www.hoapress.com)), serial number 117640 is a grade 925 built in about 1900. What you have is a movement made to fit into a hunting case, housed in an open-face case. There are any number of reasons for this to occur, starting with the first owner liking it that way when he bought the watch and ending with somebody taking the hunting-case that it was in, to use for a better quality watch whose case was worn out, just before you got the watch. Oresilver is Fahys trade name for nickel.

Now that you know what your watch is, you should be able to check what similar watches are selling for on eBay in order to balance their value against a repair cost. Keep in mind that if you are going to run an mechanical watch for more than a few days a year, it should be properly serviced. Many watches offered for sale will need to be serviced, even some of those whose dealers claim had just been serviced. The key ward is "properly."

Check out What You Need To Know About Watch Repair at:
http://www.midwestcs.com/elgin/help/watch_repair.html
(you should copy this link and paste it in your browser address bar since directly linking to this website from the NAWCC Message Board is not possible)

Good luck,
Kent

That guy down in Georgia :smile:

pocwatjim
09-14-2003, 02:28 AM
Kyle,
Kent has addressed the question as to the identity of your watch. Your watch was created to be in a hunting case. There is nothing wrong with the fact that it is mounted in an open face case.
I did want to comment on the question you asked about weather the repair estimate was reasonable.
It is not! If the watch needs cleaning and even a balance staff, the repair should be less than $100. If you are interested in watches check in your area for the nearest NAWCC chapter. Someone in the local chapter can repair it or recommend someone to you.
If your local watch repair shop is quoting $300 estimates for repairs, they are jobbing it out for repair and covering all their bases.

Jim Haney
NAWCC# 138644
Member of Chapters
19,143,151,156,185

Jon Hanson
09-14-2003, 04:57 AM
One of the first lessons new collectors need to understand is "what is worth repairing.

Many new collectors or "newbies" want their watches fixed to run for wearing, preservation, or because of sentimental reasons. Most cheap watches are not worth repairing, even by nawcc members at "wholesale" or collector prices.

Putting 50 or 100 dollars into a watch that is only worth 35-75 dollars is insanity and many newer collectors find this out too late and quit the hobby; or, they "get smart" or learn to self repair. Many "dealers" charge 2-4X cost for retail repair jobs, due to overhead and "comebacks."

Seasoned collectors factor in repair or restoration costs when acquiring a broken watch. This takes time, experience and a reasonable repairman.

Jon Hanson, NAWCC #8801
Founder and President Chapter 149 (http://nawcc-ch149.com), The Early American Watch Club

Don Dahlberg
09-14-2003, 09:27 AM
As stated above your watch is a grade 925. It went to the finishing room at Hamilton on September 18, 1900. It was probably sold sometime between October, 1900 and March 1901. If you are a NAWCC member, you may email the NAWCC library and request the exact day it was finished and the day it was sold and to whom.

Don Dahlberg

Jon Hanson
09-14-2003, 09:36 AM
Hi again,

BTW, we have one particular Chapter 149 member that does "common" repairs very reasonable. Email me for his address.

Jon

Jon Hanson, NAWCC #8801
Founder and President Chapter 149 (http://nawcc-ch149.com), The Early American Watch Club

Jon Hanson
09-14-2003, 12:29 PM
Two pwople emailed me about Chapter 149 and repairs--I lost the msn emails so I don't know who you are -- resend to me at jonontime@aol.com

Sorry for m error and thanks for the email.

Jon

Jon Hanson, NAWCC #8801
Founder and President Chapter 149 (http://nawcc-ch149.com), The Early American Watch Club

Spike
09-14-2003, 04:17 PM
Jon says “Putting 50 or 100 dollars into a watch that is only worth 35-75 dollars is insanity.”

There are many ways buyers can err – amply described on message boards like this one – in terms of authenticity, originality, correctness, condition, performance, value, etc. I take Jon’s position to be wise for folks with substantial experience, ability and resources. For most of the rest of us, especially the vast majority who don’t do our own work (and may read this MB in order to get the most for our 35-75 dollars!), spending big bucks on a watch is insanity! Putting a hundred dollars into an inexpensive watch that we like is normal and reasonable!

[This message was edited by Annie on September 15, 2003 at 1:39.]

Jon Hanson
09-14-2003, 06:37 PM
one or two or a few won't kill anyone, but don't make a habit of it as these "cheap" watches will need recleaning again in approx 5 years!

Jon Hanson, NAWCC #8801
Founder and President Chapter 149 (http://nawcc-ch149.com), The Early American Watch Club