1958 Carlyle, Coburn, or both?

 Somethings never change, I guess.  Way back in 2014 I restored a watch that I believed to be a 1958 Carlyle that turned out to be a Coburn.  It's easily confused because the two models have very similar designs and different dials, depending on the year.

In 1958 the Carlyle had a dial with 12 and 6 and markers in the other positions.

In 1959 the Carlyle was offered with the original dial as well as an all-numeral dial.

In it's final year, 1961, just the all numeral dial was offered - if it was available at all - the catalog says "sold out".

On the other hand, the 1958 Coburn was introduced, also with an embossed dial but with numerals in the even spaces and markers on the odd spaces.

Note the shape of the lugs... they appear longer than the Carlyle and look like the horns on a steer.

In 1960 the dial was changed to numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 as well as offered in white or a black.

This was the version that I found in 2014 and mistakenly identified as a Carlyle when it was, in fact, a 1960 Coburn.

And just for fun, here's the earlier 1958 Coburn...

My friend, Mark, at vintagehamilton.com has an all-numeral dial version of the Carlyle listed for sale... at least at the moment.  Note the shape of the lugs... they sort of swoop outward and appear a little shorter than a Coburn.

So here we go again... I've got a project watch with what would appear to be a Coburn case but possibly the Carlyle dial.  Well, it's got all numerals and the same font numerals, at that, but the dial is actually highly textured.  This is a detail that the catalogs sometimes omit - but Mark's all numeral Carlyle dial is not textured.

It turns out, Michael Harding at Timeperiodwatches.com  has an example of a Carlyle with this textured all-numeral dial.  So the plot thickens...

So what model do I have?  Perhaps is a "Corlyle" and even the Hamilton factory mixed things up from time to time.

Regardless, my project watch will benefit from a trip to the spa and that starts with removing the aftermarket bracelet and opening the case.  There's a bit of a corroded gap where the bezel and back separate. 

With the bezel removed, you can see the highly textured, scalloped dial.  It's really a thing of beauty and, fortunately, it's in good shape, as getting this type of dial refinished properly would be extremely difficult.

Tucked behind the dial is a 17 jewel 673 movement.

Two dial foot screws secure the dial in place.  Removing the dial reveals the main plate of the movement.  Now I can start stripping the parts.

Everything is disassembled and thoroughly cleaned.  Now it's time to put it back together with fresh lubrication.

The 673 is a breeze to reassemble and in no time it's back together and ticking away with a nice motion.

According to the timer, this watch is running great.

The finished watch turned out great.  A new crystal is a huge improvement and a fresh strap is a great alternative to the one-size-fits-all Speidel bracelet.

Not a bad looking "Corlyle" - don't you think?