Technically, a new model was introduced in 1940, the Coral Ross. I mentioned it in my 2012 posting on the Ross. I've restored a bunch of them over the years but I was surprised I didn't do a specific post on the Coral Ross - until now.
The model was introduced in 1940 and only made for two years.
It's interesting to see that the applied gold numeral (AGN) dial was more expensive than the polished numeral dial shown in the 1940 catalog. Personally, I really like the polished numeral dial and variations were available for the yellow Ross and the white gold filled version too!
The 1941 catalog showed both of the dial options for the Coral Ross. The polished dial version got black hands while the AGN version got rhodium plated hands to match the rhodium plated solid 18K gold numerals on the dial.
Being made in 1940 and having a 14K gold filled case, you should find a 19 jewel 982 movement under the hood. The same is true for the white and yellow cased versions but they could have been made in 1939 and received the 17 jewel 980. So what's inside the case can help date the watch.
My project watch arrived in working condition, well ticking condition anyway. It's a bit dirty but I don't see any really rough signs of wear. This model can often show wear through on the edges and especially the corners. The crystal definitely needs to be replaced and the second hand is missing in action.
The back is nicely hand engraved with the original owner's name. The bracelet is rose gold filled too and made by Hadley. It wasn't an option from the factory but the original jewelry store may have installed 79 years ago.
Without the crystal blocking the view, the dial and hands are in remarkably good shape. I wonder what happened to the second hand?
The serial number of the movement dates the watch to 1940, just as you'd expect to see, although a 1941 movement wouldn't be incorrect either.
The inside of the case back has a couple of watchmaker's marks inside so it's been overhauled at least twice in almost 80 years.
No surprise here, the mainspring in the barrel is a blue alloy spring. It's going to be "set" for sure so I will replace it with a white alloy Dynavar spring.
A new glass crystal is definitely in order. This one is double thick so it will protect the case from additional wear from shirt sleeves, etc.
Glass crystals are held in place with UV glue and the glue cures in UV light, or you can take it outside and let the sun take care of it.
All the parts are cleaned and ready to be reassembled.
First to be installed is the new mainspring. This will power the watch for 40 hours or thereabouts.
It's always a relief to see the balance start moving once it's reinstalled. It's got good motion so I'm optimistic that the timer will like what it hears.
Not too bad, running a little fast but the amplitude and beat error are within my specs.
A couple of tweaks to the regulator slows the watch down and you can see the two lines start to approach horizontal. At a perfect beat rate of 18,000 beats per hour the two lines would be perfectly horizontal at zero seconds per day. 8 seconds fast per day is nothing to complain about.
What a difference a trip to the spa makes! Everything is clean and shiny and even the correct rhodium plated second hand looks like it was there from the beginning.
My light tent is merciless so here is a wrist shot with more flattering (realistic) lighting.
And just to show you why this model is a personal favorite, here's the white Ross with the two-tone gilt and coral dial. Nice, huh?
I'm the proud owner of the Coral Ross Dan is working on in this blog! I commend him for his craftsmanship, his customer service & the quality of the finished product! This was my fathers watch and has been in a dresser drawer for most of its life. I never thought I'd be proudly wearing it as a functioning time piece! A tip of my hat to Dan!
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Brian from Tinley Park, ILL.