tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post6233864390954386866..comments2024-03-26T20:09:41.996-07:00Comments on Vintage Hamilton Watch Restoration: WWII USMC Aviators WatchHandyDanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02083270175066343104noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-59146012121654687922023-11-17T04:35:26.603-08:002023-11-17T04:35:26.603-08:00Hi all,
I have a black dial 2987 with 3S2894 movem...Hi all,<br />I have a black dial 2987 with 3S2894 movement number in great condition and bought it 30 years ago in London. I am pretty sure my matching hands are original as they fit the watch dial perfectly with enamel like luminous paint BUT their shape is diamond (hour) and fine pointer (minute), not spade or mercedes. Does anyone have similar. Cheers, PeteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-14911937606584054342022-12-17T21:13:31.426-08:002022-12-17T21:13:31.426-08:00Can anyone tell me what Marine grunts would have w...Can anyone tell me what Marine grunts would have wore in WWII? Because that’s the watch I wantAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-85200352221299508292022-02-15T09:02:58.378-08:002022-02-15T09:02:58.378-08:00Hi, I have one of the white faced USMC watches in ...Hi, I have one of the white faced USMC watches in my sights right now, can you tell me if all these had the Wadsworth case (is the name inside the case back?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01840186492065587525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-70872353980914716552021-07-05T19:00:33.521-07:002021-07-05T19:00:33.521-07:00Oh yeah, sometimes I'm appalled at my oldest p...Oh yeah, sometimes I'm appalled at my oldest posts because the beat errors are a wee bit high. Adjusting these movements isn't too hard but the older ones (pre-1940) can be very finicky. I'll often settle for a beat error under 3.0ms rather than roll the dice and screw up an otherwise good hairspring. 2.5 is on the high side of acceptable in my book but I usually try to get it under 1.0. HandyDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02083270175066343104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-88859938714434958972021-07-05T16:00:53.486-07:002021-07-05T16:00:53.486-07:00Great article HandyDan!
I know this is an old th...Great article HandyDan! <br />I know this is an old thread... I have restored a number of Waltham A-11's, but I have never found a single Hamilton 2987 to restore. <br />I do have a nice 987s watch that I recieved as a gift from another watch nut friend of mine...he also gave me a set of NOS 2987 hands - for that future project... <br />The only flaw I can see with these 6/0 military watches is their size - They would be even better if they were just a little bit bigger...<br />In any case, I am sure you know already, but if you're patient, you can tighten up that beat error - just by moving turning the hairspring collet a bit. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04681138223221095765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-67494439826950022352018-01-30T18:19:25.150-08:002018-01-30T18:19:25.150-08:00Probably easier to get the dial and hands refinish...Probably easier to get the dial and hands refinished.HandyDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02083270175066343104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-6143396110858006252018-01-30T17:45:57.755-08:002018-01-30T17:45:57.755-08:00I recently picked up a 2987 Hamilton but it has a ...I recently picked up a 2987 Hamilton but it has a Waltham dial. Are replacement dials available?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18345510895825051635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-37063308599317901362017-08-07T11:09:39.404-07:002017-08-07T11:09:39.404-07:00I have seen enough 39102s with original black dial...I have seen enough 39102s with original black dials that I suspect they came with black or white dials. That may just imply that Marine naval aviators got white dialed 39102s and Navy naval aviators got black versions or 39103s. Regardless, it's a cool heirloom nonetheless. It should hack so the spring inside is either missing or misshaped.<br /><br />Any watchmaker worth his salt should be able to tackle a vintage Hamilton. The 2987 is very similar to a 987S and shares most parts but not all of them. If you email me I will give you some recommendations.<br /><br />The Waltham 8-Day clock is a neat keepsake too. "Over wound" is a term used to describe a fully wound but non-running watch. It's probably not truly over wound, it just doesn't run. Again, any competent watchmaker can diagnose it. It's basically a big ol' pocketwatch with two mainspring barrels. Contact Historic Aviation Supply if you want to send it their way. https://historicaviationsupply.com/HandyDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02083270175066343104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-29785696669634254612017-08-06T15:03:57.708-07:002017-08-06T15:03:57.708-07:00I have recently inherited a 39102 watch from my fa...I have recently inherited a 39102 watch from my father who was a USN aviator in the pacific during WW2 (black dial and marked 39102 with W on case so the 39102 was not just a Marine Corp watch). This watch is completely original and has been stored in a drawer since 1945. Its not in bad shape considering its age, it still winds and works but the second hand does not stop when pulling out the crown. The crystal is faded and discolored and the minute/hour hands have rusted, Obviously, the watch has much sentimental value and I would like to have it repaired/restored. I also have the original aircraft clock from his USN plane (Waltham 8 day/15 jewel, Civil Date that is over wound and stcuk that I would also like repaired/restored), Do you have any suggested as to someone who is reputable with expertise in restoring/repairing these particular Hamilton watches and Waltham clocks (and also maybe have some spare parts) in their inventory? If so, could you make some recommendations?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-71248805466832708852017-03-03T14:27:56.091-08:002017-03-03T14:27:56.091-08:00Your chances increase in direct proportion to the ...Your chances increase in direct proportion to the amount of money you have.HandyDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02083270175066343104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-54401106044241676292017-03-02T22:56:56.964-08:002017-03-02T22:56:56.964-08:00I have this watch however what are my chances of e...I have this watch however what are my chances of either finding an original case or restoring the case?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128693903289190998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-63037713306563519692017-01-15T06:22:15.461-08:002017-01-15T06:22:15.461-08:00There are lots of military watches and versions wi...There are lots of military watches and versions with the small seconds hand at 6 on a white dial are the most common. Case maker and the movement inside is important, as they can get mixed around and not be correct. For example, the watch above should have a 2987 and not a 987S or a 987A. Other cases should have those movements though.HandyDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02083270175066343104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-19254690887438989532016-06-03T11:50:39.438-07:002016-06-03T11:50:39.438-07:00This is amazing... I may be getting my hands on on...This is amazing... I may be getting my hands on one of these, but with a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock... do you know if that one is as rare?Tostramandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16415539235500026213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5855696413978429801.post-70261370171846494702015-01-19T11:53:35.185-08:002015-01-19T11:53:35.185-08:00Amazing job on a fantastic looking watch! Amazing job on a fantastic looking watch! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com