Hamilton #12 Case on 992B

**Donovan Martin** · 12-20-2011, 10:20 PM

I was reading about #12 cases on 992B's and came across this thread: http://mb.nawcc.org/attachment.php?a...8&d=1324071170 and the pictures of the cases. I also read somewhere and I cannot locate that thread, that 992B's all had the Railway Special dial. Why does this picture not have that dial? Would the #12 case on a 992B be considered correct with that set up?
Another thread here on the Model B case has some more info on #12 cased from around 1948 but I didn't find that info there either.
Thanks

**RON in PA** · 12-21-2011, 12:43 AM

Some 992Bs did indeed have enamel pre-melamine marked only "Hamilton".

**rromero** · 12-21-2011, 12:56 AM

Donovan,
That 080 dial is correct for the Model 12 case as illustrated in the Hamilton advertisements of the time. Hamilton used many dials on the 992B that did not have RWS on them including the 024, 082, 525, 151 and others. The 151 was only made in melamine and also appears in advertisements.
Rich

**terry hall** · 12-21-2011, 06:27 AM

agreed...

a search for 080 dial should turn up the factory memo about their creation as well as the 081, 082, etc.

The 12's are not plentiful... especially with box/label

The model B is an example that 'we think' we have identified, but so far, a complete, boxed example has yet to appear. We've seen one example of a box label, but no watch... we've seen a 'few' of the flip boxes that are identified with case model B on their label.

**Donovan Martin** · 12-21-2011, 08:33 AM

Thanks for the great info. I have so much to learn.
When the term "Uncommon" is used in reference to a watch what exactly does that mean? Since they made so many of these watches and they were cased at the factory when does, Common/Uncommon/Scarce/Rare, or whatever the designations are, come into play?

**Robert Sweet** · 12-21-2011, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Donovan Martin

Thanks for the great info. I have so much to learn.
When the term "Uncommon" is used in reference to a watch what exactly does that mean? Since they made so many of these watches and they were cased at the factory when does, Common/Uncommon/Scarce/Rare, or whatever the designations are, come into play?

All of the 992B cases are fairly common except the No. 3 (tu-tone), No. 12, and No. 14. All three of these cases were low end cases and were only made for a short period in the late 1940's. I would classify these three as uncommon.

Robert

**terry hall** · 12-21-2011, 03:39 PM

I am not going to put a quantifiable number on 'uncommon' in this instance...

but from experience
I see one heckuva lot more number 3 (tu tone model 2) than I do of model 12 and 14 combined.

what is your experience in observations of these?

I had always wondered 'why' the shugart book never even mentioned the model 12 case...
then some info came out on boards from the Library ... THEN the case was 'known' and i remember seeing examples at flea markets, etc...
no one knew what they were!!!!

What also helped was finding a boxed example.... then a second one.
but not many more boxed ones have come out of hiding.

**Robert Sweet** · 12-21-2011, 09:46 PM

Yes, I agree there are more #3's than #12's and #14's.

One definition of "uncommon" that I found was "not ordinarily encountered", so based on this definition I have encountered fewer of the three above than all the others.

Robert

**terry hall** · 12-21-2011, 09:54 PM

one of em.
label was stuck ''inside' the box.

**Robert Sweet** · 12-22-2011, 06:03 AM

Originally Posted by terry hall

one of em.
label was stuck ''inside' the box.

Thanks for sharing. This is one that's definitely seldom seen, especially in the factory box with label. Very very uncommon. Close to rare.

Robert

**Jimbo76** · 12-22-2011, 06:59 AM

So is the only writing inside the case like in the picture above ? I think I may have one of these cases and I thought it not to be original for the 992B. I'd like to be sure it is a correct #12. Thanks

**terry hall** · 12-22-2011, 07:06 AM

from what has been seen, these 12 cases were not marked hamilton inside the case back.

only defiance... and the serial numbers

this was a bone of contention until boxed examples appeared as it would be assumed the cases would have a hamilton marking.

The model 14 is different, they are marked inside the case back with Hamilton and 'nickel-chrome'... this is important as keystone also marketed a generic replacement case with only keystone markings and 'base metal' for the material mark.

**Robert Sweet** · 12-22-2011, 08:18 AM

The gold-filled No. 12 look-a-like does have the Hamilton signature. It's yet to be indentified!

Robert

**Donovan Martin** · 12-22-2011, 11:30 AM

Here are some shots of one I was referring to. Looks like the unidentified #12 type. The crystal is yellowed and will be replaced but the dial is actually very clean and bright.

**Robert Sweet** · 12-22-2011, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Donovan Martin

Here are some shots of one I was referring to. Looks like the unidentified #12 type. The crystal is yellowed and will be replaced but the dial is actually very clean and bright.

Donovan,

Yes, this is one that is yet to be indentified. What is the case/movement serial numbers?

Terry Hall and I are very confident that the "B" is the same as the late 1930's, 10k yellow gold-filled "Traffic Special" housing the 974-Special, but without a box/label with matching numbers we can't say with absolute certainty.

Robert