Hamilton grade 753 movement info requested

[danseibold]

I'd be interested to learn more about the Hamilton grade 753 movement; years produced, quality, accuracy, durability/reliability? I found an old thread for Hamilton wristwatch movements from the 1950's, but it appeared to be closed and offered no links to actual info. I'm considering the purchase of a vintage Hamilton "Leslie" wristwatch with the grade 753 movement. Anything about this movement would be much appreciated. - Dan

 

[Don Dahlberg]

Here is the information that you requested.


Don

 

[Larry Treiman]

Hi Dan and Don,

The tabular information that Don posted appears to be from Lowell Halligan at Hamilton. There appears to be an error in the information shown for the grade 753 movement. The table shows the grade 753 as having 17 jewels.

However, Hamilton Service Bulletin 206 for 12/0 size, cushion-shape movements, grades 752, 753 and 754 from 1952 shows that the grade 752 has 17 jewels, while grades 753 and 754 have 19 jewels. "Model 754 has superior finishes and features comparable to the well-known Hamilton Medallion series of Movements."

Hamilton claimed that the three grades "....are all adjusted to positions and closely regulated."

"The bridges and pillar plates are plated with rhodium, the brightest of the non-tarnishing metals."

"The design improvements which make the most significant contributions to the performance of Grades 752, 753 and 754 are: The Hamilton Elinvar-Extra hairspring......; the train which is exceptionally smooth and free-running; the highly-responsive escapement; and the Hamilton Dynavar power spring...." [Alloy mainspring]

As with all modern movements of the period, all parts were fully interchangeable, except the hairspring, which had to be matched to the balance wheel.

Note that these watches did not have shock protection. Hamilton added shock protection in the form of Incabloc to the 12/0 series on the 22-jewel grade 770, introduced in 1955, which was similar to Grades 752, 753 and 754 and shared many parts with them.

I regret that I do not have the capability of posting any attachments or photos. However, I would be surprised if the NAWCC Library didn't have these Hamilton Service Bulletins, including No. 206, available in some form. I believe they were a continuation of the earlier "T.D." series of technical data sheets. Perhaps Don can find and post it, at least the first page, to this thread.

Larry Treiman

 

[danseibold]

Many thanks to you, Larry, and Don! The information is much appreciated!

Best regards,
Dan

 

[Don Dahlberg]

Here is the first page from the Service Bulletin 206



Don

 

[Don Dahlberg]

You also asked about precision for these watches. Wristwatches in common grades were not well adjusted or regulated. Before they were cased they had to keep time within 45 seconds per day over all positions and were regulated to -5 to +20 seconds per day. Once cased they had to keep time within 30 seconds per day stem down (the way your watch spends most of the time when your arm is just hanging) and 60 seconds per day dial down. A wristwatch that kept time within a minute per day was just fine for most people in those days. Each morning you wound and reset your watch.

Don

 

[danseibold]

Great info! Thank you, Don!