1961 Stormking VIII

I don't know the Hamilton lore behind the Stormking line of models but I'm sure there must be something to it.  There are 11 different Stormking models, starting with the Stormking I, II, III, IV and V in 1955 and ending with the Stormking X and XI in 1964.  

The Stormking line features all of the case materials from solid 18K through 14K, 10K, gold filled and even stainless steel.  There's a Stormking model for just about anyone.  However,  I've only come across eight so far, and this post marks number nine.  

Today's post is the 1961 Stormking VIII.  It was produced for only two years.  It was presented in a 10K solid gold case.

I don't believe it was available with a bracelet, just a large-time alligator strap.  It was not an inexpensive model, priced at $110 in 1961 is the equivalent of over $1,100 in today's currency.  Although you'd be hard pressed to find a solid gold watch new in a jewelry store today for $1,000.

My project watch is a nice example that shows good, honest wear.  The bracelet is made by Kreisler and has started to wear grooves in the lugs.  If a bracelet is not original to the model, I'm always in favor of replacing it with a fine strap.

The case back has a deep bowl and that's to make room for the 8/0 sized US-made 735 movement that's tucked inside.  This is a one-piece case so I'll pull the crown and crystal and the movement and dial should drop out the front.

As I suspected, the 735 movement powers the watch.  This is a shock-jeweled version of the 748 movement introduced in 1948.  In another year of two, the 735 would be replaced with the 736, essentially the same movement but with a new balance design.  The movement is held securely in place with a movement ring.  The movement ring holds the assembly in the case.

The rim of the bezel is a little banged up in the 11:00 region.  There are four or five watchmaker's marks inside the case indicating that the watch was pretty well maintained - at least for the first 20 years of it's 60 year life.

The crystal has a yellow reflector ring and the crystal is cracked - perhaps by the same incident that damaged the bezel.  Cracks can let moisture in so I will replace the crystal.

I find that GS Evr-Tite crystals are a great choice for models with reflector rings.  27.9mm should do the trick.

All the parts are disassembled and cleaned in the ultrasonic (except the dial).  Actually, they get three passes - one cleaning and two separate rinses.  Everything comes out nice and shiny.

Reassembling a 748, 735 or 736 movement is not for the faint of heart and definitely not for new, aspiring watchmakers.  Getting all four pivots aligned in the train bridge takes a gentle touch and lots of patience.

The balance goes back on and the watch is ticking away.  I haven't wound it very much since there's no crown attached but there's enough energy to get it going so I can check the timekeeping.

Ooof!  The beat error is too high at 5.6ms for me to let slide.  I had the same issue with the last blog post watch I did.  This will require removing the balance from the balance cock and then adjusting the hairspring.  Trial and error is the only recourse.

Getting warmer, I'm no at 3.3ms but I challenge myself to do better than 3.0 so I will tempt fate and make another adjustment.

Okay! I'm happy with 1.1 so I will call it good to go and now I can adjust the regulator to slow the ticking down slightly.

There - right on the money.  The amplitude of 167 doesn't bother me because I haven't wound the watch up fully yet.  I'm confident it will increase when I wind the watch up properly.

The finished watch looks a lot shinier than what I started with but the new crystal is a nice improvement.  Now the watch looks as good as it runs.