There are 86 different Thinline models, if you include the two original Thincraft models introduced in 1957. That means you could assemble a pretty sizable Hamilton collection by just focusing on the manual wind Thinline models. If you wanted to add the Thin-o-matic automatic models, you could double your collection!
I think the Thinline models are very interesting, they really do live up to their name and are skinny on your wrist. I also like them because the wheels in the movement have such short axles that the movement almost reassembles itself.
One of the early Thinline models was the 1960 Thinline 5000. It was only produced for two years. It was available with a white dial or a black dial. I covered the white dialed version 10 years ago.
The movements in the Thinline models varied and eventually were produced by Buren, which Hamilton came to own in the 1960s. Early models used other Swiss makers, like Aurore-Villeret (AV).
My project watch is the black dialed version. I find that time is very non-forgiving on black dialed watches and eventually the dial can fade to a variant of gray. You can see my project watch is a good example.
The two-piece stem on this example doesn't want to hold and the crown just comes off if you try to set the time. That could imply the female side is rusty - which is a common occurence.
The case back is pretty scratched up and I suspect it's from someone trying to open the case with a case knife. This is a one-piece design though and opens through the crystal. They didn't get too far and only resulted in scratching the back.
In order to open the watch you have to remove the crystal. Since the crown is removed, the dial and movement will lift right out now. This is a good opportunity to see the unique textured dial. There is no way that this dial could be refinished properly, in my opinion. So I'll leave it as is. Trying to clean a black dial is a recipe for disaster.
Tucked inside the case is a Hamilton 676 movement. This movement was made by Aurore-Villeret (AV), as you'll see once I get it disassembled. The HYL on the balance cock is the import code for Hamilton Watch Company. All imported Swiss ebauches used by Hamilton will have HYL on the balance cock.
I've got a new female stem below the existing stem. They look pretty similar to my eye but it doesn't take much to lose the grip between the male and female sides of the stem. It's possible it's the male hub that is the issue - I'll have to test it to see for myself.
The new stem goes into the movement and movement goes into the case. Without the dial installed, I can see how the connection looks. I can pull the crown and set the time so I think the new stem will do the trick.
All the parts are cleaned and dried. Now it's ready to be reassembled with fresh lubricants.
Looking closely at the maker's mark on the main plate, the AV in the shield indicates Aurore-Villeret (AV) and the 4201 is the caliber number. So if I needed to order a part, I could use that information to specify what I needed.
The most difficult part of reassembling this movement is to get the balance jewels back into position. They are really small, compared to other movements and extremely easy to lose if they flick off into the ether like a tiny tiddlywink.
The reassembled movement goes onto the timer to listen to the ticking... it looks great, albeit a smidgen fast, but that's an easy adjustment.
A tweak this way, a tweak that way, this way again, oops too much... eventually I get it to the correct position.
A new crystal completes the restoration of this really cool black Thinline. Black dialed watches are always striking and with fresh lume on the dial and hands, it will be easy to read the time, even in the dark.
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