1961 Pacermatic (Pacer A)

You don't get to see uncommon watches every day.  I guess that goes without saying, as they wouldn't be uncommon if you did see them every day.  I've already documented the 1961 Pacermatic but I had the opportunity to restore another and thought you'd like to see another one.

The Pacermatic is one of the mechanical asymmetric models and is extremely popular - so popular that they have been faked over the years.  It was only cataloged for a single year and it uses the same case the the Electric Pacer - so when it is "faked" it simply that a mechanical movement is put in an Electric Pacer case in an attempt to make an $800 watch a $3000 watch.

The Pacermatic is technically part of the K-series of automatics in that it utilizes a 17 jewel 667 movement like the other K-series models of the time.  The case is a two tone design with a yellow gold filled bezel and white gold filled lugs.  The dial says "automatic" and Swiss but is otherwise similar to the Electric Pacer.  To fake a Pacermatic you'd also have to modify the dial printing as well as the dial feet locations.

The back of this one has a presentation from Nonie and Grandpa so there is no doubt that this is a treasured heirloom.  The date of '63 isn't too unusual as models could sit on a jeweler shelf for a year or two.  This watch doesn't show too much wear, but it is a bit dirty.

The real tell for an authentic Pacermatic is the serial number of the case.  Cases for the Pacermatic came in two batches so their serial number falls into two ranges.  The case serial number should fall into the range of 528500-528800 (300 of in this run) or 637700-638200 (500 in this run).  Based on the range of the serial numbers, you can assume there were a total of 800 Pacermatics made.  This case falls comfortably in the middle of the second batch of numbers.

The 667 movement looks very good.  That's not too surprising as there are about 10 prior watchmaker service marks inside the case back.

The dial shows some rubbing on the right side.  I noticed the movement was a little loose in the case and could rotate a smidgen.  That will wear on the dial for sure.  It looks like the original dial to my eye.

The plastic crystal that came in the watch is beat so I'll replace it with proper glass crystal while all the parts are in the ultrasonic.

Everything is ready to be reassembled.

The basic mechanical movement is ticking away with a good motion.  Time to see what the watch timer thinks before putting the rest together.

Just a smidgen slow.  It won't take much of an adjustment to speed it up.

There... right on the money.

The finished watch looks fantastic with a new crystal.  This watch isn't perfect but it's an all-original version of a Pacermatic and would be the pride of any Hamilton collection for sure!