Vintage Hamilton Watch Restoration: 1928 Piping Rock

 I’ve performed a couple of other posts above the earlier 10+ yrs on one particular of Hamilton’s most well known products, the 1928 Piping Rock.  It was developed by way of 1935 and then redesigned and reintroduced once again in 1948 with the freshly launched 747 movement. 

The present day Hamilton corporation reissued the Piping Rock in the 1990s in both of those yellow and white electroplate and with both of those quartz and mechanical actions.  So you will find a Piping Rock version out there for just about everybody.

The flexible hinges on the a few piece case are a little bit over-flexed.  A talented goldsmith could substitute the pin that retains the hinges with each other and convey them again to their suitable angle.  I’ve witnessed even worse although and this look at is nonetheless wrist-worthy as-is.  The plastic crystal is an clear substitute and changing that with a glass crystal will be a massive improvement.

The 19 jewel 979 was the major of the line movement in Hamilton’s wrist view lineup.  Only sound gold types have been outfitted with this caliber at the time.  Some gold loaded versions would receive 979Fs in the early 1930s.   The serial range of this movement dates this observe to 1928 – creating it a initial yr example of the design.

With the bezel out of the way and the lighting just ideal you can see the complete on the sterling silver dial is a little bit splotchy.  This is an engraved dial so it could be refinished completely and look like new if desired.  I’ll see if I can get rid of some of the splotchiness due to the fact cleansing it won’t make it seem even worse. 

If you have a great eye for depth you may well have previously spotted that the hour hand is the erroneous type and dimension.  I am going to glance in my stash for a better example.

As soon as the dial and hands are out of the way, it really is apparent that dampness has gotten inside of and corroded the nickel plating of the movement.  The problems is performed but it shouldn’t impression the operation of the movement (ideally).

This look at has clearly been seen by a watchmaker at some place more than the past 90 decades but the mainspring inside of is even now an aged blue metal mainspring.  There is certainly a 99.47% prospect the spring has established into a limited coil and missing most of its possible strength.

Yup – identified as it.  This observe would run ok for a tiny when but a complete wind would only energy it for 12 hours or considerably less, I suspect.

A contemporary Hamilton Dynavar white alloy mainspring will electricity the look at for ~40 several hours or so and, most probable, is not going to need to be changed again.

Anything is cleaned and dried right before becoming reassembled.  Well, I need to say “virtually every thing” – there is just one piece missing… the bezel.

The bezel is sitting down underneath the UV lamp finding a suntan when the UV glue that retains the new glass crystal cures.  Generally I place crystals in the daylight to cure but Tropical Storm Ian is now dumping rain outdoors my workshop.

I generally can see the Blue Ridge Mountains out my window, but not nowadays.  The mountains are concealed by the rain clouds.

The reassembled movement is ticking absent with fantastic motion.  I often breathe a sigh of aid when a motion from the 1920s begins ticking yet again.  The earliest calibers have the most mileage on them and they did not always get the normal once-a-year service that Hamilton encouraged.  This movement is noticeably brighter and shinier now.

After a couple of slight adjustments the enjoy is operating properly.  The defeat mistake of 3.0ms is at the major of my higher spec restrict but I never dare attempt to adjust it – as executing so could result in goofing up the hairspring and I’ve learned my classes the hard way when it arrives to these oldest of the aged actions.  Great is fantastic ample, really don’t get greedy.

The motion goes back again into the case.  It really is freshly lubricated and rust-absolutely free.

A pair of female spring bars arrived with the check out but only one particular of them is the proper sizing.  The extended one is much too very long so I am going to have to dig out a further 5/8 spring bar from my private stash.

A new previous stock vintage strap completes the restoration.  A proper hour hand and a new glass crystal are enormous advancements.  The dial is superior than it was but still not ideal.  Having said that, the rest of the watch has superior, sincere dress in so the dial seems completely appropriate to my eye.

Here’s a different shot in a lot more flattering lights.  I marvel what tales this 94 year aged attractiveness could convey to?