Hamilton 992B Railroad Pocket Watch

[Jasgrimes]

Can anyone tell me about this watch and when it might have been made? It was given to my grandfather by the railroad company he worked for in Georgia (USA) I’m just curious if it would be more valuable having the paperwork and box with it. It’s still works flawlessly. Thank you in advance for any information you can share with me.

 

[1908]

Hi, welcome to the forum. If you look at the movement number on the movement itself, you can go to the pocket watch database ( Pocket Watch Serial Number Lookup & Info | Pocket Watch Database ), type in the manufacturer name and movement serial number and it will tell you what year your lovely Hamilton was made, numbers made and other information.

Stephen

 

[musicguy]

Welcome to the NAWCC Forum!

I’m just curious if it would be more valuable having the paperwork and box with it.

Yes it would, it's great thanks for showing it!



Rob

 

[Jasgrimes]

Hi, welcome to the forum. If you look at the movement number on the movement itself, you can go to the pocket watch database ( Pocket Watch Serial Number Lookup & Info | Pocket Watch Database ), type in the manufacturer name and movement serial number and it will tell you what year your lovely Hamilton was made, numbers made and other information.

Stephen

Thank you so much for the information. Exactly what I’m looking for…just needed pointed in the right direction!

 

[Jasgrimes]

Welcome to the NAWCC Forum!


Yes it would, it's great thanks for showing it!



Rob

I remember when I was about 10 years old I would take it out and wear it to church when I wore a suit thinking I was all cool and stuff…those were the days….it’s been in a safe for the last 40 years since then. Got it out the other day and wound it a few times and it’s still working!

 

[Marty101]

I think you'll get a taste of those days back again if you put her in your pocket.

 

[CentreKeystone]

871251 on the label is the listed on the data base for a 1912 grade 992. What is the serial number on the movement? Judging from the enclosed literature it was a late model.

 

[musicguy]

I think you'll get a taste of those days back again if you put her in your pocket.

Love this!



Rob

 

[Jasgrimes]

871251 on the label is the listed on the data base for a 1912 grade 992. What is the serial number on the movement? Judging from the enclosed literature it was a late model.

G392740…is that correct

 

[Jim Haney]

No, they all start with a "C" your watch was made in 1953. It has the 4th plate signature, they changed the way the plates were lettered and signed from the beginning in 1940 and to the end in 1970.

Hamilton 992B (Beginning to End)

Being a well respected and highly collected Railroad Watch, I thought this topic would be a nice place to find just about everything you would like to know about your Hamilton 992B. With the help of all our Hamilton experts, we can make this happen. First, I would like to post about 12 pages...

mb.nawcc.org

 

[1908]

Here it is Hamilton Pocket Watch: Serial Number C392740 (Grade 992B) (pocketwatchdatabase.com)

 

[miguel angel cladera]

Obviously a watch with its case and documentation is more valuable as it preserves a historical reference, but without doubt the most valuable thing about your watch is that it belonged to your grandfather. Look after it with love and respect and keep it for your child or grandchild. If you are going to use it a lot, perhaps find a watchmaker who will give it a good service, if you are only going to use it on a special occasion and the watch is working properly as you claim, then I wouldn't touch it.

Perhaps the number 871251 does not refer to the watch itself and may have another purpose.

 

[Jim Haney]

Perhaps the number 871251 does not refer to the watch itself and may have another purpose.

That is the stock number for the Watch, Dial, Case, Blue box, etc for stocking in inventory

 

[musicguy]

but without doubt the most valuable thing about your watch is that it belonged to your grandfather.

I agree.

Some people like to write something down about the original owner(as much as they can find out)
and pass the history down through the family with the watch. That is what I would
recommend, and also say in the letter to keep it all together.


Rob

 

[musicguy]

One last thing....

My brother-in-law had a similar inheritance, and he keeps the railroad watch
on his desk in a glass dome.


Rob

 

[terry hall]

871251 on the label is the listed on the data base for a 1912 grade 992. What is the serial number on the movement? Judging from the enclosed literature it was a late model.

First, as Jim stated above, the 871251 is not the serial number, but an internal code for the watch, deciphered giving the movement, case style, and dial style.
see this image

Here it is Hamilton Pocket Watch: Serial Number C392740 (Grade 992B) (pocketwatchdatabase.com)

Please use magnification to examine the serial number of the movement, I believe what you are reporting as a "3" is a "5" (stylized font)
The case you show is really late, as is the outer box.
it is interesting with the small applied label on the outside of the pull-apart box, and the inner warranty paper.

what 'is of some concern is the other label. Not so bad as it is not affixed to the box, but that it apparently does NOT have the movement or the case serial number indicated on the label... those numbers certainly assist with validation of the combination!

this one is a bit different than yours, but shows my point...

Thank you for sharing the watch with us, please confirm that movement serial number.

I really do 'think' this one is right' no matter what you may read into my message ....

 

[terry hall]

I Thought i had a scan with 'all' of the hamilton codes.. maybe i had posted before and they are in he sickies...
Here is what i found from Halligan writings.. your Model 17 case is not show on this list....

 

[Jasgrimes]

Okay first of all…WOW!!…I was not expecting to get this kind of help. I’m speechless which is why I’m typing and not talking right now! HA! I feel like y’all are my family now. My wife even mentioned having all of you over next thanksgiving. I’m definitely the dumbest in the room right now so bear with me…I’m going to round up a magnifying glass and get the watch to get all the info!!!
Standby….

 

[Jasgrimes]

Okay I was able to match where the label was on the box…don’t know if that means anything but at least we know that at one time the label was attached to the box, also it looks as though there was another label attached to the other side of the box but I don’t have and have never seen that label….as far as the serial number…we’ll the pic should give us that answer now that I took a better photo! Hope these pictures help!

 

[Jasgrimes]

One more close up pic, don’t know if it helps but there it is just in case

 

[1908]

Okay I was able to match where the label was on the box…don’t know if that means anything but at least we know that at one time the label was attached to the box, also it looks as though there was another label attached to the other side of the box but I don’t have and have never seen that label….as far as the serial number…we’ll the pic should give us that answer now that I took a better photo! Hope these pictures help!

View attachment 747065

Hi, the serial number here C508740 dates the watch to 1967. Hamilton Pocket Watch: Serial Number C508740 (Grade 992B) (pocketwatchdatabase.com). Really helpful of you to provide a clear image of the movement number.

Stephen

 

[musicguy]

I am glad you decided to keep the watch


Rob

 

[Kent]

Here's a contemporary ad for the 992B (and its competition). The price would have varied with the case design/material.

 

[James Wrobel]

This one seems to have an enamel dial. I thought all the late ones had the melanime dial. Whatever the material, it is in beautiful condition, and to have the original box and history and everything: priceless.

Nice,
jjw

 

[Jim Haney]

This one seems to have an enamel dial. I thought all the late ones had the melanime dial. Whatever the material, it is in beautiful condition, and to have the original box and history and everything: priceless.

Nice,
jjw

The Dial in Picture 1 is Melamine

 

[James Wrobel]

My mistake. I didn't know they made double sunk melamine dials. Mine is a single.
jjw

 

[Jim Haney]

James,
Hamilton started converting their Enamel dials to Melamine in the late 1947's....so you can assume serial number from C180,000 would be subject inspection.
Melamine Dials have a different Font than enamel dials and you can usually see the sunk is not a separate dial piece soldered in.

 

[CentreKeystone]

We discussed this earlier...Hamilton changed the composition of their late 992b dials,

 

[CentreKeystone]

We discussed this earlier...Hamilton changed the composition of their late 992b dials,

This is the previous discussion on the changes to the dial composition (basically to a brass subplate and a flat finish)"

992B From 1967 With Melamine Dial: Worth Having?

Hi folks, again I come seeking advice. I'm looking to buy a Hamilton 992B dating from 1967 but in the blurb it states the dial is Melamine and that concerns me more than a little. In the photos (and description) the dial looks to be perfect with no signs of cracking or warping, it's just that I...

mb.nawcc.org