1959 Thin-o-matic T-650

It's been a while since I had a new model to show on the blog.  Sometimes I think the only models left must be really expensive or super rare.  That's probably mostly true but there are still garden variety models out there to be found too.

For example, my latest project wasn't too expensive and it was made for four years.  Why has it taken 15 years to come across one - was it just unpopular?

The model is the 1959 Thin-o-matic T-650.  It's actually a pretty interesting model, as you'll see why.

In 1959 it was introduced with an embossed dial with numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 and markers in the the other locations.  It's also the only Thin-o-matic (without a date) that was cased in 10K rolled gold plate.

In 1960, the dial changed to a number at 12 and markers in the other locations, and the marker styles changed.  The price stayed at $89.50 for either the strap or the bracelet.

In the final year of production (1962), the original dial came back and a masonic dial was introduced.  The priced dropped for both the bracelet or the strap model.  So that makes for an interesting model... three different dials and no real way to narrow down when it was produced.  I suppose you could say the masonic dial is a one year wonder though, and the number only at 12 dial would be a 1960 or 1961 example.

Looking at my project watch, I can now assume that it's a 1960 or 1961 example.  It's had some moisture get inside and the dial has a large crack.  The crown is also a replacement from some point in the last 60 years.  The one-size-fits-all expansion bracelet isn't original and it isn't doing the watch lugs any favors - these type of bracelets eventually wear grooves in the lugs and should be avoided.

The case back provides a lot of information and would help you identify the model if you could decode it.  As you can see, it has a 10K RGP bezel and a stainless steel back.  That means it's a 6-series model and a 65-series more specifically.  Since the dial say Thin-o-matic, this has to be a T-65-something.  There's only one model, so it's got to the be the T-650.

The back unscrews to reveal a Hamilton 663 micro rotor movement.  It's not in too bad of shape, other than a little bit of rust by the stem.

Everything is disassembled and cleaned.  I already installed a new crystal in the bezel so now all I have to do it reassemble it... hopefully without having an extra parts left over.

The movement is back together and ticking away with a good motion.  Now it's sitting on the timer to see how it's ticking.

Well, it's running cleanly, with a good amplitude but the beat error is a little above spec.

To adjust the beat error, I'll have to remove the balance from the balance cock and that would also require manipulating the regulator pins.  It's very tricky on this movement and my inner Han Solo is telling me "I've got a bad feeling about this...".  I don't have a replacement movement to donate a balance if I screw it up - so I'm going to listen to Han and let the sleeping Wookie sleep.

I was able to clean the dial up a smidgeon and with fresh lume on the dial and hands, this watch looks a lot better than what I started with.  The new strap is a great improvement too.  Don't you think?