12-22-2016, 10:39 AM
Looks great Ken!
My parents typically aren't sentimental gift givers. A large portion of the blame lies with me because "cars" is not really an acceptable response to "what sort of gift would you like for <insert holiday>?" So they usually resort to a gift card or maybe a household appliance we've really been wanting.
This year I told my Dad I had really taken an interest in watches ever since I had inherited my grandfather's, and last night we got two mysterious jewelry boxes in the mail. We tried for about five minutes to wait until Christmas to open them, then folded.
![[Image: RZXuDhb.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/RZXuDhb.jpg)
It is a Hamilton Grade 974 Special Double Roller pocket watch. 17j hand-wound lever-set movement, produced on or around 1937. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/2555056">https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/ ... on/2555056</a><!-- m -->
The case back has a different serial #, and is from a Grade 992 model produced about 10 years before the watch itself. I'm guessing the original back was lost or damaged long ago when parts were more plentiful so they simply swapped it out. The Grade 992 is a "Railroad Grade" watch, and there are ~5 markings inside the case that look like railroad inspection markings (back in the day railroad employees were required to have their watches inspected by the company inspector.) <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/2355737">https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/ ... on/2355737</a><!-- m -->
It is in remarkable condition for its age, just an even patina of light surface scratches all the way around, one small dent in the case back and that's about it. The dial is perfect, the plating isn't worn through anywhere, it's incredible how well it's survived. I really love the subtle blue finish on the hands.
![[Image: glGXFuf.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/glGXFuf.jpg)
With Lee's guidance I popped the back off to have a peek at the movement, then figured out how to wind and set it.
![[Image: 2GiFCpR.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/2GiFCpR.jpg)
Just listen to its busy little rhythm. Watching something like this run calms my brain in a way I can't quite describe.
[youtube]NWtPdxAa7OE[/youtube]
It ran for about 3 hours before stopping last night, I only found one tutorial on how to wind and set it and it didn't seem to want to wind quite as it should. It develops a lot of resistance in one direction and none in the other, I believe it should get snug both ways to indicate it's wound. I'll probably refrain from messing with it again until I can take it to my "watch guy" and have him look it over and show me how to do it properly.
My parents typically aren't sentimental gift givers. A large portion of the blame lies with me because "cars" is not really an acceptable response to "what sort of gift would you like for <insert holiday>?" So they usually resort to a gift card or maybe a household appliance we've really been wanting.
This year I told my Dad I had really taken an interest in watches ever since I had inherited my grandfather's, and last night we got two mysterious jewelry boxes in the mail. We tried for about five minutes to wait until Christmas to open them, then folded.
It is a Hamilton Grade 974 Special Double Roller pocket watch. 17j hand-wound lever-set movement, produced on or around 1937. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/2555056">https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/ ... on/2555056</a><!-- m -->
The case back has a different serial #, and is from a Grade 992 model produced about 10 years before the watch itself. I'm guessing the original back was lost or damaged long ago when parts were more plentiful so they simply swapped it out. The Grade 992 is a "Railroad Grade" watch, and there are ~5 markings inside the case that look like railroad inspection markings (back in the day railroad employees were required to have their watches inspected by the company inspector.) <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/2355737">https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/ ... on/2355737</a><!-- m -->
It is in remarkable condition for its age, just an even patina of light surface scratches all the way around, one small dent in the case back and that's about it. The dial is perfect, the plating isn't worn through anywhere, it's incredible how well it's survived. I really love the subtle blue finish on the hands.
With Lee's guidance I popped the back off to have a peek at the movement, then figured out how to wind and set it.
Just listen to its busy little rhythm. Watching something like this run calms my brain in a way I can't quite describe.
[youtube]NWtPdxAa7OE[/youtube]
It ran for about 3 hours before stopping last night, I only found one tutorial on how to wind and set it and it didn't seem to want to wind quite as it should. It develops a lot of resistance in one direction and none in the other, I believe it should get snug both ways to indicate it's wound. I'll probably refrain from messing with it again until I can take it to my "watch guy" and have him look it over and show me how to do it properly.
Now: 07 Porsche Cayman S | 18 VW Tiguan
Then: 18 VW GTI Autobahn | 95 BMW M3 | 15 VW GTI SE | 12 Kia Optima SX | 2009 VW GTI | 00 BMW 540i Sport | 90 Mazda Miata | 94 Yamaha FZR600R | 1993 Suzuki GS500E | 2003 BMW 325i | 95 Saab 900S