1958 Automatic K-411

 I think I've documented about 800 of the 1100 or so mechanical watches produced by Hamilton prior to 1969.  That means what is left to find it either really expensive, really hard to find, or both.  I try to not duplicate models I've already documented but at the same time, I've been doing this blog for over 12 years now - so there's room to duplicate things now and again.

A good example is the 1958 Automatic K-411.  I last detailed this model in December of 2014... ten years ago.

The K-411 was produced for only two years.  It looks a lot like the 1960 K-419 (which I haven't come across yet) and especially the 1960 K-650 - with which it shares the same dial.

Of the three models, the K-411 and the K-650 are the most similar.  The easiest way to tell them apart is is the K-650 has a stainless steel back - although the shape of the lugs is different too.

My project watch arrived in better condition than the last K-411 I did but it still had a lot of challenges in store.  Looking at it, there doesn't seem to be any major issues, although I have no idea when it was last touched by a watchmaker.

The gold filled back is screwed on REALLY tight.  I'm not able to hold the watch in my hands and use a case opener at the same time.

I had to resort to some penetrating oil and my case holder in a separate vise.  Now I can use two hands on the case opener to hopefully get the case back to unscrew.

Phew!  Eventually the case back released and unscrewed along with a lot of DNA of a prior owner.  It's open now and the 661 movement inside appears to be in decent shape.

The set lever screw has been replaced by an incorrect screw.  That will need to be replaced.  There's also a missing screw on the train bridge.  The bridge is held with four screws and three is probably "good enough" but I'll replace the missing screw too.

I'm unable to get the stem to come out.  It looks like the movement ring is slightly rotated and blocking the stem from coming out.  I'll have to figure out how to rotate it or just pull it out separate from the movement.

I got the movement ring out and I can see the stem tube has a flat side, like the letter D and the flat edge is blocking the stem from coming out.

Fortunately I was able to grab the stem with pliers and unscrew the crown, so now I can pull the movement and stem out the back of the case.

While the movement is in the cleaner, I will try to fix the stem tube.  The appropriate sized rounding broach should do the trick.

A little tweaking finally gets the stem tube rounded again.  I presume the incorrect placement of the movement ring is what damaged the stem tube.

Perfect - now the stem will be able to be reinstalled once the movement is complete.

Everything is cleaned and dried.  There are a lot of parts to this movement but it's not too difficult to reassemble if you take your time.

The correct set lever screw is pictured (left) next to the incorrect screw a prior watchmaker used.  I guess if the threads are correct it would work but I'll use the proper screw for this restoration.

The reassembled movement is ticking away with a good motion - lets see what the timer says...

Not too shabby.  No adjustments required.  Now I can reassemble the rest of the parts and install it in the case.

The finished watch looks as good as it runs and it runs great.  This was an interesting project, I'm glad I was able to address it's hidden issues.

1950 Austin

The early 1950s was the beginning of the end for the 14/0 sized movements that Hamilton introduced in the early 1930s.  That was a pretty long run for the 980 and 982 movements.  There were technological advances along the way and the 982M was introduced in 1940 but, for the most part, the 17 jewel 980 and 19 jewel 982/982M powered the majority of tank-shaped rectangular men's models

One of the transition models was the 1940 Austin.  It looks very similar to earlier models like the Dennis and even some of the 1930 models like the Cabot and Carson.  Unlike earlier models though, the Austin was available with a bracelet - this was a trend started in the late 1940s and would continue for the next 20 years.

The Austin was produced in a 10K gold filled case and that would imply it has a 17 jewel 980 movement.  14K gold filled models would get the 19 jewel 982.  The 982M was reserved for solid gold models.  The majority of Hamilton dials are this period has sterling silver dials and solid 18K gold markers or numerals.  So even the most basic Hamilton models still had top of the line features.

In 1952 the Austin was depicted with a different dial.  Instead of all numerals, markers were introduced in the odd-numbered positions.  The two-tone dial used previously was replaced with a single colored dial.  This was also the year that the 14/0 movements were replaced by new 12/0 calibers.  The 17 jewel 980 was replaced by the 12/0 752 movement.  Because the movements had different shapes, although the outside of the cases were identical, the insides couldn't be.  So the 12/0 cased versions were known as "B" models.  The Austin wasn't marketed as the Austin-B so it's not clear if you'll find 980 Austins with this new dial or not - but if you do see this dial, it's likely an Austin-B.

My project watch is clearly the earlier dial pattern - well maybe not entirely clearly, as the dial is extremely beat up.  However, you can see the dial as a two-tone design.  This effect is a result of brushing the finish in different directions.  The inner section is brushed vertically and the outer section is brushed horizontally - so the dark / light sections change depending on how the light hits the dial.

The crown on this watch is obviously shot.  With some luck I may be able to clean up the dial a little but it will only get slightly better.  Too much cleaning and it will be ruined.

This version of the 980 is highly damascened.  Based on the serial number, this movement was made in 1950.  The only difference between this and a 982 is the 982 would have a cap jewel covering the escape wheel in the train bridge.  It's a very pretty movement - considering only a watchmaker would be likely to look inside the case.

The inside of the case back shows the model name, along with the finger prints of someone handling the watch.

The dial-side of the main plate is unremarkable, other than the remnants of the crown on the stem.

The mainspring is an old blue steel design.  It's likely "set" and lost most of it's strength but, more importantly, this one has also broken.  So it needs to replaced for sure.

While everything is being cleaned I will prep a new glass crystal and Dynavar mainspring for installation.

All the parts are cleaned and dried before being reassembled.  I still need to dig out a replacement crown.

The new crystal is enjoying some UV rays while the glue dries in the bezel.

Looking closely at the 4th wheel, I can see the pivot is bent.  This will definitely impact the timing so I will replace it.

The freshly reassembled movement is now ticking away with a good motion.  Let's see what the timer has to say for it.

Looking good - a slight tweak to the regulator will bring the timing in line.

The finished watch looks great with a new crystal, crown, and strap.  The dial cleaned up fairly well and shows good, honest age that you'd expect from a 75 year old watch.

Merry Christmas - 2024!

2024 has been a very difficult year for me, following on the coattail of several difficult years.   It hasn't been all bad, thank goodness, and I consider myself to be very blessed and fortunate overall.  However, I am now an "orphan" and celebrating my first Christmas in 57 years without my parents.  

It's been a little hard to get into the Christmas spirit, to be honest, but I think I finally made it.

A dear friend of mine shared a song by Ingrid Andres called, "Christmas Always Finds Me" and it makes me realize that I am not alone in this struggle.

    Through the years I've moved a lot
    Different doors with different locks
    But somehow Christmas always finds me
    It's been a while since I wished
    For roller blades and pixie sticks
    But somehow Christmas always finds me

    When silver bells and silent night
    And mistletoe's nowhere in sight
    With no chance of snow falling down
    Another year older
    Little harder to believe
    But somehow Christmas always finds me

    In traffic jams and shopping malls
    I lose the magic of it all
    But somehow Christmas always finds me

    When silver bells and silent night
    And mistletoe's nowhere in sight
    With no chance of snow falling down
    Another year older
    Little harder to believe
    But somehow Christmas always finds me

    It takes me back to younger days
    Of stockings on the fireplace
    And presents stacked
    And waiting by the tree
    And even if I'm all alone
    A million miles away from home
    It shows up in a warm memory

    Another year older
    Getting harder to believe
    But somehow Christmas always find me

Like everyone, I suspect, I have very fond memories of long ago Christmases.  My parents did their best to invest in me the true meaning of Christmas while also providing lots of great memories of Santa's deliveries, good meals and loads of family lore.  I have done my best to do the same with my children.

To understand the true meaning of Christmas you must recognize that we are all mortal.  As John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life".  Easter should be a bigger celebration than Christmas but without Christmas, there would be no Easter, and without an Easter no hope for everlasting life.

So I grieve the loss of my parents but can celebrate Christmas even more.  

I also lost my donkey, Bill, this year and as I laid him in the ground of our pasture I said a simple prayer that any descendant of the animal worthy to carry the Mother of Jesus into Bethlehem would surely find a place in heaven with my parents.

One of the reasons I like vintage Hamiltons is they make wonderful heirlooms... especially when they are given as Christmas presents.  Christmas gifts or not, vintage Hamiltons are treasured by the descendants of their original owners.  They are priceless.

My project watch for this Christmas post is not a ghost of Christmas past but it is a special watch nonetheless.  It's not a common model.  In fact, it's the first one I've seen, even in photos.  It's a 1962 Thin-o-matic T-205.

The T-205 was produced for three years and there's no easy way to date one unless it's engraved.  What's interesting about the model is the bezel has a Florentine engraving, as does the top of the lugs.  At first glimpse, you might wonder if it was done aftermarket, or even damaged.

Initially the T-205 was offered for $140.  That's about $1,500 in today's dollars.  You'd be hard-pressed to find a new solid gold watch today for anywhere near $1,500.

By 1964, the price increased $10 to $150.  The catalog depictions show the engraving to the case but don't really do the case justice.

The T-205 was offered on a croc strap and there doesn't appear to have been a bracelet paired with it.  As you might surmise by the 200-family name, the T-205 was the 5th Thin-o-matic cased in solid 14K gold.  Thin was in, in the 1960s and thin watches were very popular in Hamilton's lineup as well as other makers of fine watches.

My project watch is in good shape overall.  Very typical for a watch that lost it's crown and was put away in the sock drawer for 40 years.  There's really no mystery as to why the crown is missing.  This is a one-piece case and requires a two-piece stem.  Undoubtedly the crown was lost when the two-piece stem separated - either by mechanical failure or rust.  The dial looks very good though, so I doubt there's too much water damage.

The back of the case is very flat - tell-tale evidence that a micro-rotor movement is contained within.  Thin-o-matics used a couple of different designs for movements.  One was made by ETA and equipped with a conventional automatic framework, albeit a thinner than what Accumatics used.  The other designs were made by Buren, which Hamilton eventually purchased.  Buren made the micro-rotor movements that powered most Thin-o-matic models.

The lugs on this case exhibit wear grooves consistent with the use of a metal bracelet.  It was probably attached after purchase and is a great example of why I recommend a leather strap over a bracelet.

With the crystal lifted out of the way, the movement drops easily out of the case.  You can see the engraving on the bezel and the lugs that makes this model unique.

There are several similar calibers used in Thin-o-matics.  The initial movements were pink and by the late 1960s the movements became white (or silver) colored.  The white movements are used in the TM-line of Thin-o-matics, and were also made by Buren, which was owned by Hamilton by that time.

This movement is a 663 movement with 17 jewels.

The dial side of the main plate is unremarkable and looks like every other pink microrotor other than the calendar-equipped versions.

Everything is taken apart and cleaned - which is saying something.  I haven't counted but it feels like there are twice as many parts in a micro rotor movement than in a conventional automatic.  Piece by piece, it all goes back together with fresh lubricants - eventually.

Finally!  The movement is back together enough to be functional and running.  The only things missing are the oscillating weight and the dial-side parts.  It's off to the timer to see how it's performing.

Nothing wrong with this timing.

The oscillating weight goes on next and it's seated deep enough to not drag the case but also clear the main plate.  The male stem in the movement is a little rusty - that's probably why the two-piece stem separated.  I will replace it with a male stem with more "meat".

Now comes the tricky part... fitting a new stem and crown.  This movement has the male-side of the stem in the movement so the female side must be retained in the crown.  I was able to find a Hamilton crown in my stash of parts - a very fitting use for a solid gold Thin-o-matic.  The trick will be to trim the female stem to the proper length so it's not too long or too short.

There... the finished watch looks perfect- especially with a proper crown, new crystal and a genuine lizard strap.  This unique watch would be a prized member of anyone's Hamilton collection.   

As 2024 comes to a close, if you find that you're another year older and it's a little harder to believe, let me extend my deepest hopes that Christmas has found you too this year and that you and yours celebrate a wonderful Christmas.  May the new year bless you with health, wealth, and happiness.