I have been reading some very interesting notes about the production figures of the Hamilton 992B and when the last one was produced. According to Hamilton, the last serial number was C525169. However, it is well known that higher numbers have surfaced, such as C525258.
Then to compound the issue, there are known to be other Hamilton 992B's that have the prefix 4C in the serial numbers. These were produced in 1970.
I personally own a Hamilton 992B with the serial number 4C145715. This watch has never been used and it has the original Hamilton flip top box. The dial is made out of melamine and is marked Hamilton Railway Special. I personally think that these later produced Hamilton 992B's are rather rare, I don't know why, I just feel that way.
Here is some information about the Hamilton 992B serial numbers.
C001-C13000..............................1940-1941*
C13001-C37900..........................1941-1942
C37901-C62800..........................1942-1943
C62801-C87700..........................1943-1944
C87701-C112400 .......................1944-1945
C112401-C137500......................1945-1946
C137501-C175000......................1946
C175001-C199800......................1947
C199801-C254500......................1948
C254501-C281400......................1949
C281401-C310200......................1950
C310201-C352800......................1951
C352801-C385800......................1952
C385801-C408300......................1953
C408301-C415500......................1954**
C415501-C423600......................1955
C423601-C441700......................1956
C441701-C448400......................1957
C448401-C455000......................1958
C455001-C461700......................1959
C461701-C468400......................1960
C468401-C475000......................1961
C475001-C481700......................1962
C481701-C488400......................1963
C488401-C495000......................1964
C495001-C501700......................1965
C501701-C508400......................1966
C508401-C515100......................1967
C515101-C521800......................1968
C521801-C525300......................1969***
All with "4C Prefix".....................1970****
* According to a Hamilton sales catalog the new 992B was planned for public introduction October 15th 1940.
** Last Officially Recorded Numbers, compiled from Hamilton Factory Records on the John F. Gelson Listing.
*** Taking into consideration the highest known number C525258 which is also rounded to next hundred.
Colonel George E. Townsend stated that the last Hamilton Railroad Watch was a 992B bearing the C525169 serial number. That movement was reported to have been cased and presented to Hamilton Watch Company President Arthur Sinkler in December of 1969 marking the end of regular production. Interestingly, we have found a higher 992B number C525258 thanks to Samie Smith. Scroll down to see the image displayed. And as you'll read below, we know that was not really the end.
**** During 1970 the very last American Railroad Pocket Watch movements were assembled. Although guestimates run as high as 700 we may never be certain how many of the "4C Prefix" Serial Numbered 992B examples were put together using material essentially left over from the last 4992B U.S. Government Contract. These "4C Prefix" 992B movements from that final "clean-up run" at Hamilton represent the last Great American Railroad Grade Pocket Watches. As such, they occupy a unique place in our hearts, minds and collections.
There are also a few "S Prefix" 992B examples reported. Whether or not the "S Prefix" examples are genuine, when and where they might have been put together along with other circumstances surrounding them has long been debated. Providing these can be proven as having been factory assembled of correct components they should be included as well. Any sound information on this and other matters would be of help in establishing the record.
NOTE: All number sequences from 1955 through 1969 are just estimates and open to re-interpretation.
This wonderful information came from Chapter 185. The chapter is called the Internet Horology Chapter of the NAWCC.
I suggest that you follow the links below to read more about this interesting topic on Chapter 185. Very good people there with a lot of wonderful knowledge and some great pictures also.
Hamilton 992B Serial Numbers.
The Last Hamilton 992B.
Then to compound the issue, there are known to be other Hamilton 992B's that have the prefix 4C in the serial numbers. These were produced in 1970.
I personally own a Hamilton 992B with the serial number 4C145715. This watch has never been used and it has the original Hamilton flip top box. The dial is made out of melamine and is marked Hamilton Railway Special. I personally think that these later produced Hamilton 992B's are rather rare, I don't know why, I just feel that way.
Here is some information about the Hamilton 992B serial numbers.
C001-C13000..............................1940-1941*
C13001-C37900..........................1941-1942
C37901-C62800..........................1942-1943
C62801-C87700..........................1943-1944
C87701-C112400 .......................1944-1945
C112401-C137500......................1945-1946
C137501-C175000......................1946
C175001-C199800......................1947
C199801-C254500......................1948
C254501-C281400......................1949
C281401-C310200......................1950
C310201-C352800......................1951
C352801-C385800......................1952
C385801-C408300......................1953
C408301-C415500......................1954**
C415501-C423600......................1955
C423601-C441700......................1956
C441701-C448400......................1957
C448401-C455000......................1958
C455001-C461700......................1959
C461701-C468400......................1960
C468401-C475000......................1961
C475001-C481700......................1962
C481701-C488400......................1963
C488401-C495000......................1964
C495001-C501700......................1965
C501701-C508400......................1966
C508401-C515100......................1967
C515101-C521800......................1968
C521801-C525300......................1969***
All with "4C Prefix".....................1970****
* According to a Hamilton sales catalog the new 992B was planned for public introduction October 15th 1940.
** Last Officially Recorded Numbers, compiled from Hamilton Factory Records on the John F. Gelson Listing.
*** Taking into consideration the highest known number C525258 which is also rounded to next hundred.
Colonel George E. Townsend stated that the last Hamilton Railroad Watch was a 992B bearing the C525169 serial number. That movement was reported to have been cased and presented to Hamilton Watch Company President Arthur Sinkler in December of 1969 marking the end of regular production. Interestingly, we have found a higher 992B number C525258 thanks to Samie Smith. Scroll down to see the image displayed. And as you'll read below, we know that was not really the end.
**** During 1970 the very last American Railroad Pocket Watch movements were assembled. Although guestimates run as high as 700 we may never be certain how many of the "4C Prefix" Serial Numbered 992B examples were put together using material essentially left over from the last 4992B U.S. Government Contract. These "4C Prefix" 992B movements from that final "clean-up run" at Hamilton represent the last Great American Railroad Grade Pocket Watches. As such, they occupy a unique place in our hearts, minds and collections.
There are also a few "S Prefix" 992B examples reported. Whether or not the "S Prefix" examples are genuine, when and where they might have been put together along with other circumstances surrounding them has long been debated. Providing these can be proven as having been factory assembled of correct components they should be included as well. Any sound information on this and other matters would be of help in establishing the record.
NOTE: All number sequences from 1955 through 1969 are just estimates and open to re-interpretation.
This wonderful information came from Chapter 185. The chapter is called the Internet Horology Chapter of the NAWCC.
I suggest that you follow the links below to read more about this interesting topic on Chapter 185. Very good people there with a lot of wonderful knowledge and some great pictures also.
Hamilton 992B Serial Numbers.
The Last Hamilton 992B.
m 31 Aug '00 