Over here we have the 'pips' on most radio stations precisely on the hour.
The thing to remember is if you're listening to the pips on a DAB radio they will not be accurate as there is a delay of roughly 8 seconds whereas the pips on a VHF (FM) station are perfectly accurate and suitable for setting your timepiece. Failing that you can use the 'Time-Is' website.
"The Hamilton was adjusted for temperature and ischonism [sic] to six positions for over a year, in their manufacture".
I think you'll find that the timing of the watch took about 6-7 weeks as is mentioned in the Hamilton video.
My modern Hamilton cannot be regulated as it is factory set which annoys me no end.
Jay.
Here’s the fascinating story—
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possible.
Aside from the technological advances that Hamilton made in the construction of their timepieces, extensive man hours went into the construction of each watch. The average time it took to complete a watch was nine months. No watch was ever made in less than seven months and it would not be unusual for construction to take up to a year. Of this time, two months alone are utilized in the “finishing room” where every part of the watch is tested and applied and the assembled watch tested again.
As of January 1st 1928, the Hamilton Watch Company owned and controlled the entire assets, good will, trade name and plant of the Illinois Watch Company which was located in Springfield Illinois.
In fact, many of the well-known watch manufactures during the 1920’s used the same case manufacturers Wadsworth, Fahys, and L&W (Lutringer & Wittmer) and there were only slight differences as designated by the watch manufacturer. It is important to note however that although Hamilton sold far fewer watches than Elgin, which was the leading watch manufacturer of the time, proportionately, Hamilton sold significantly more gold watches than gold-filled (over 80,000 solid gold watches in the first ten years of wristwatch production). In fact, of the five American watch manufacturers, Elgin, Waltham, Illinois and Hampden, Illinois sold relatively few solid gold watches with most being gold-filled.
Of the four American wristwatch makers (Illinois, Hampden, Elgin and Waltham), Hamilton was the last to close its doors. Although Hamilton watches are still manufactured, they are owned by the Swatch Company and are manufactured in Switzerland. Hamilton was the last of the great American watch manufacturers to cease US production in 1969. Hampden ceased wrist watch production after 1927. Hamilton bought out Illinois in 1928. Waltham dissolved in 1955, and Elgin closed its doors in 1965.
However arguable this statement may be, there is no denying that Hamilton watches demand a premium amongst collectors and are without question, the most collectable of all American made watches.
watchdoctor.biz
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There are no new parts for a pre 69 Hamilton watch and so I wear my Arnex regularly (which is a generic 6497 Unitas) and reserve my Hamiltons for occasional, careful use except the 992 B.
Since the 992 B was the last Hamilton, there are still NOS parts a plenty for them. So I wear my 992 B more often but never in bad weather or where I might damage it.
I own a half a dozen Chinese copies of the 6497 in large wrist watches, all that cost new less than $100 complete:
A real Hamilton 992 B is maybe ten times more accurate in rate than the standard $35 Chinese 6497.
But that means instead of 2-3 seconds a week it’s 20-30 seconds off. Still accurate to railroad standards.
The Chinese (or the Swiss) could reverse engineer and make a geniune 992-B.
But instead they time and regulate the 6497. It’s been used in very high dollar wrist watches.
Still yet, I’ve got a thing about trains.
The last railroad watch was the Elgin 571 in 1946. I own a 1950 model.
I own a 1923 Illinois Bunn Special.
And two 23 jewel Waltham Vanguard movements, a 1903 and 1940.
Plus my 1950 992 B plus a 1895 930 17 jewel Hamiltons.
All are railroad grade watches, and my 1940 Waltham was in actual railroad service until 1980, when the owner retired. The back of the case is just nearly covered in jeweler’s marks by a railroad certified watch maker.
There won’t be anymore railroad grade American watches.
Time moved on.
When the smoke and the cinders were visible at every railroad crossing the railroad chronometer was the main instrument of a railroad engineer.
I even own an 1892 Waltham 1883 like the one Casey Jones rode to glory using at Vaughn Mississippi.
More information on railroad watches.
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