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Sunday, February 3, 2013

1918 910 Pocket Watch

Hamilton made a variety of pocket watches before they introduced their first wrist watches.  Pocket watches ranged in size from 6/0 sized ladies watches to 18 size railroad watches.  Somewhere in between is their size 12 pocket watches.

I recently picked up a Hamilton 17 jewel 910 pocket watch in a local shop.  The movement dates to 1918.


The 910 comes in a family of other 900-series movements in various jewel counts.  It's a 12-size movement but it's a special design where the main plate is a larger diameter than the rear of the movement.  Some folks view it as a cross between a 12-size and 14-size movement.  What it really means though is that it goes into a special case which later 12-size watches won't fit (and vice versa).  So to put a 910 (or similar) movement into a case, you need to have a case specifically made for that family of movements.

My pocket watch came with everything except the crystal so after an overhaul to make sure it was cleaned and oiled, I installed a new glass crystal.  This watch is pendant-set... so you pull the crown out to set the time and push it back in to wind it.


This pocket watch comes in a three-piece hinged case.  So the center folds into the back, and the front bezel folds onto the dial.  Then it all snaps shut.


7 comments:

  1. I just received a 910 and this has helped to identify it. By the serial number, mine was made in 1920. When it is wound, it runs like a rocket. The minute hand moves like a second hand. Can you tell me what the problem is likely to be and the cost of repair?

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  2. Hi, do you have any idea of the actual collector value of one of these, complete, in excellent running condition?

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    1. 17 jewel dress pocket watches are not as collectible as high grade examples and especially not as much as railroad grade watches. That said, they still have a lot of appeal. A really nice example in excellent condition can be $300 or more but its not difficult to find one on ebay for under $100. If the case is solid gold the value would increase, obviously.

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  3. Would it be a good investment for the future? Will it increase in value?

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    Replies
    1. Beats me... all I can say is they don't make them anymore.

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  4. Hi HandyDan, I just found this thread and I happen to have the same watch also missing the front crystal. May I ask where you found your replacement and if you have any specs for it?

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    1. You'd have to measure the diameter and then order one... easy peasy

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