Early Ball Hands

[BILL KAPP]

We all know that crystals get broken, dials get cracked and hands rust.

It would be normal to expect that a lot of replacement occurs in the natural order of repairs.

I am interested in attempting to document as much as possible the correct or original way the Early Ball watches appeared.

My initial efforts on the Hands can be seen at:

http://williamkapp.tripod.com/id56.htm


happy hunting,

[Greg Frauenhoff]

Bill,

Neat stuff. Thanks for the post.

As regards #13018, to the best of my recollection (99% sure) it had pierced spade style hands.

FWIW,

Greg

[crsides]

13293 has pierced spade hands, plum in color.

[Brad Maisto]

I acquired #28,747 in 1997 (18S Hamilton Ball) and it has the pierced spade hands that are plum in color, much like the photo submitted in the above post. Sorry I don't have a picture readily available for my watch that came in a N.A.W. Co 20 year GF case. But I belive it to be original.
Brad Maisto, Indiana Chapter 18 President

[BILL KAPP]

Thanks guys,

Keep the data rolling in on these early Ball's! The more sightings and info I get, the better I can understand their origins.

Brad, I remember that one on ebay! Charlie, did you notice your a on Cleveland? The 13k run has that feature! We are not sure about the 8701-8800 run of 938's but no other run has it!

happy hunting,

[Brad Maisto]

Bill,
My #28,747 was purchased at an estate auction in Amo, IN back in 1997. If you saw this one on Ebay, then there is a duplicate out there that I'm not aware of ? However, my #28,747 does have a mainspring plate with another serial number on the underside, and if it worthwhile, I'll get that number to you? All of the circular DMK lines up on this "999", 17-jewel watch and I'm pretty sure it is not a "Frankenwatch". I'm pretty sure this watch laid in an old sock drawer for many years prior to my purchase at an on-site auction.
Thanks, Brad Maisto (Indiana Chapter 18 president)

[BILL KAPP]

Brad,

42950?


I have a notation of ebay on my data base! If I didn't see it there and mistakenly so noted, I will change it.

happy hunting,

[crsides]

Bill, I did notice the leg on the Cleveland A and have seen it on others. I did not know it was limited to this run 13xxx run, however. thanks for the additional info. I usually look for the wavy top 3 to help identify the earlier Ball's. It is a great looking dial and offset nicely with the plum spade hands. It is at the top of my long list of favorite watches.


Charlie

[Brad Maisto]

My #28,747 with the pierced style hands, plum color, hard to tell from the picture.

[BILL KAPP]

Charlie,

Great dial! I have more info on early dials on another thread. You can find links to it from the earlier link in this thread!

Brad,

Great hands! I believe the plum color distinguishes it from the NOS later hands. I have both styles in my collection and keep forgetting which is which!

happy hunting,

Bill