1956 Automatic K-202

The mid-1950s was really the golden age for Hamilton innovation.  Automatic models were introduced, Electric models were introduced, calendar models were introduced, shock jeweled balances were introduced, etc. etc. and over only a handful of years.

That's not to say that the prior decades of Hamilton production lacked innovation.  It's simply that between 1955 and 1959 - there was a tremendous amount of new features added to the Hamilton lineup.

One of the early automatics was the 1956 Automatic K-202.  It was cased in solid 14K gold.  It was produced for only two years but you can find them in both silver butler finished dials as well as black.  What makes the K-202 interesting is it had luminous hands but the radium paint was added to the back of the hands so it glowed onto the dial and silhouetted the hands.  I'm sure it was a very cool look but the radium eventually took it's toll on the finish of the dial.  The lume eventually burned out and no longer glowed but the damage would continue since the radium never goes away.

The 1957 catalog shows the black dialed version so if you happen upon a black dialed K-202 it's probably a 1957 model.

My K-202 project watch is definitely in need of some TLC.  It runs but it looks like it's had a hard life.  Check out the crown... it's still holding in there but wow, is it worn!  

This watch was an award for 35 years of service to Union Oil Company - that was quite an accomplishment and even more so today.  I know lots of people who work for the company I work for with a track record like that - but they won't be getting a solid gold watch, that's for sure.

It took some elbow grease but I got the back off to reveal the 17 jewel in 661 movement inside.  The case back reveals what the model name is but it also has an abundance of prior watchmakers' marks inside.  So this watch was clearly well taken care of by it's owner.

This is really interesting... the framework for the rotor has two jeweled settings.  These are usually metal bushings on this caliber.  There are a couple of other higher jeweled calibers, the 664 and 665 that have jewels in the framework but they also have two additional jewels where this one does not.  So I gather that someone replaced the original bushings at some point over the last 70 years.

This dial has obviously been refinished at some point.  I know that because the printing is not correct.  Also, the "pearled track" has been redone but some of the pearls aren't really aligned well.  There's also a tiny notch on the edge by the 3 position.  No doubt the original dial was compromised by the radium under the hands (which has already been removed).

As if the other clues weren't obvious enough, the back of the dial shows the obvious evidence of being refinished with numbers scratched onto the back.

Everything is nice and shiny now that's it been through the ultrasonic.  I also installed a new crystal - that will be a nice improvement.

The reassembled movement is ticking away with a nice motion.

The timing is pretty good.  The beat error is at the high end of my specs but it's good enough.  It's very tricky to adjust on this caliber and I know better than to push my luck.

With the movement installed back in the case I can now turn my attention to the crown.  The stem is very rusted - probably why the dial was so grungy around the perimeter.

The new stem will need to be trimmed to the to proper length to fit the case tube.

The funk around the dial has compromised the finish on the dial so I was able to clean it but the damage has been done.  A new crown and crystal should keep the moisture out and hopefully this watch will be good to go for another 70 years.