The Art of American Horology Part ll,...

Roosevelt Hotel, Madison Avenue @ 45th Street, Dec 04, 2002

LOT 606

Hamilton Watch Co. Lancaster, PA., no number, Grade 992B, Model 23, circa 1938.Fine and unique, yellow gold-filled, keyless prototype of a Railroad Grade watch.

USD 4,500 - 5,500

C. Three-body, "bassine", display, screwed back and bezel. D. White enamel with bold Arabic numerals, outer minute ring, sunk sub-seconds. Blued steel "Railway Spade" hands. M. 16 size, nickel, bridge caliber, 21 jewels, the top ones in raised gold settings, gold center wheel, straight line lever escapement with sapphire pallets, monometallic balance with gold screws, adjusted to temperatures and 6 positions, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan neck micrometric regulator, sapphire roller jeel, conical pivot balance staff. Signed on dial and movementDiam. 50 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

This watch appears to be the prototype for the famous 992B Grade, which was one of Hamilton's most successful Grades. The watch demonstrates the company's experimentation; the balance pivots are conical, the bearings are made of steel with special three-ball contact points. Both the balance staff and its bearings are very cleverly designed, however difficult to produce. The company later secured the H.C. Dobbs balance staff design (patent No. 2293456), filed Dec. 1938.