Ball Pocket Watch Serial Number Database
Instructions for using our serial number look-up tables
The table below is specific to the Ball-Hamilton grade 999B, which used its own sequence of serial numbers. Almost all of the Ball-Hamilton 999B watches used a circular damaskeening pattern, but a small number of watches were produced in late 1954 featuring a straight line damaskeening pattern. Apr 12, 2017 For example, a Waltham pocket watch with serial numbers between 29,100,000 and 29,399,000 was manufactured in 1936. The caliber of movement could be used over several years or even decades. Many watch repairpersons keep pocket watch data to order parts. Lists from many pocket watch manufacturers, even those no longer existing, are published online.
This page contains INSTRUCTIONS for using the serial number look-up tables that are found on many of our watch company history pages. The example below uses information from the American Waltham Watch Company, but that is just an example. You should consult the serial number table for the specific brand of watch movement you are trying to date by selecting a company from the menu on the left.
Not all vintage watches can be dated using the serial number. Some American watch brands did not use a consistent series of serial numbers, but most of the big manufacturers did. Dreams fleetwood mac mp3 free download. Most vintage Swiss pocket watches did NOT have serial numbers and can't be dated by this method.
Can't find YOUR exact serial number in our lookup tables?
Many watch companies made hundreds of thousands of watches, and some companies made millions of watches! It would be impractical to list the individual serial numbers of EVERY watch made.. that would make some really long pages! Our serial number tables list RANGES of serial numbers. So to determine when your watch was manufactured, you will need to find where your serial number fits within the range of numbers.
Serial number look-up example:
Let's say you have a Waltham watch with serial number 21,607,210 as shown in the photo below. Note that we're using the serial number from the watch movement, not from the watch case. Looking at the table of Waltham serial numbers (see example below), you can see that number 20,900,000 was made in 1917 and 21,800,000 was made in 1918 (marked in red in the table below). Since your serial number falls between those two numbers, you know that your watch was made in 1917 or 1918.
Not sure which serial number to use?
You must use the serial number from the MOVEMENT of the watch.. the working part with the wheels and gears.. not the serial number from the watch case. Cases and watches were often made by different companies and each usually has its own serial number. You usually have to take the back off the watch case to see the movement serial number which may appear anywhere on the watch movement.
Use the movement serial number. Do NOT use the case serial number!
This is an example only. Your movement serial number may not be in exactly the same location as the one in the photo, but you are looking for the serial number that is on the watch mechanism itself.. not the serial number on the external case.
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1852 | 50 |
| 1853 | 400 |
| 1854 | 1000 |
| 1855 | 2500 |
| 1856 | 4000 |
| 1857 | 6000 |
| 1858 | 10,000 |
| 1859 | 15,000 |
| 1860 | 20,000 |
| 1861 | 30,000 |
| 1862 | 45,000 |
| 1863 | 65,000 |
| 1864 | 110,000 |
| 1865 | 180,000 |
| 1866 | 260,000 |
| 1867 | 330,000 |
| 1868 | 410,000 |
| 1869 | 460,000 |
| 1870 | 500,000 |
| 1871 | 540,000 |
| 1872 | 590,000 |
| 1873 | 680,000 |
| 1874 | 730,000 |
| 1875 | 810,000 |
| 1876 | 910,000 |
| 1877 | 1,000,000 |
| 1878 | 1,150,000 |
| 1879 | 1,350,000 |
| 1880 | 1,500,000 |
| 1881 | 1,670,000 |
| 1882 | 1,835,000 |
| 1883 | 2,000,000 |
| 1884 | 2,350,000 |
| 1885 | 2,650,000 |
| 1886 | 3,000,000 |
| 1887 | 3,400,000 |
Ball Pocket Watch Serial Number Database Free
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1888 | 3,800,000 |
| 1889 | 4,200,000 |
| 1890 | 4,700,000 |
| 1891 | 5,200,000 |
| 1892 | 5,800,000 |
| 1893 | 6,300,000 |
| 1894 | 6,700,000 |
| 1895 | 7,100,000 |
| 1896 | 7,450,000 |
| 1897 | 8,100,000 |
| 1898 | 8,400,000 |
| 1899 | 9,000,000 |
| 1900 | 9,500,000 |
| 1901 | 10,200,000 |
| 1902 | 11,100,000 |
| 1903 | 12,100,000 |
| 1904 | 13,500,000 |
| 1905 | 14,300,000 |
| 1906 | 14,700,000 |
| 1907 | 15,500,000 |
| 1908 | 16,400,000 |
| 1909 | 17,600,000 |
| 1910 | 17,900,000 |
| 1911 | 18,100,000 |
| 1912 | 18,200,000 |
| 1913 | 18,900,000 |
| 1914 | 19,500,000 |
| 1915 | 20,000,000 |
| 1916 | 20,500,000 |
| 1917 | 20,900,000 |
| 1918 | 21,800,000 |
| 1919 | 22,500,000 |
| 1920 | 23,400,000 |
| 1921 | 23,900,000 |
| 1922 | 24,100,000 |
| 1923 | 24,300,000 |
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1924 | 24,550,000 |
| 1925 | 24,800,000 |
| 1926 | 25,200,000 |
| 1927 | 26,100,000 |
| 1928 | 26,400,000 |
| 1929 | 26,900,000 |
| 1930 | 27,100,000 |
| 1931 | 27,300,000 |
| 1932 | 27,550,000 |
| 1933 | 27,750,000 |
| 1934 | 28,100,000 |
| 1935 | 28,600,000 |
| 1936 | 29,100,000 |
| 1937 | 29,400,000 |
| 1938 | 29,750,000 |
| 1939 | 30,050,000 |
| 1940 | 30,250,000 |
| 1941 | 30,750,000 |
| 1942 | 31,050,000 |
| 1943 | 31,400,000 |
| 1944 | 31,700,000 |
| 1945 | 32,100,000 |
| 1946 | 32,350,000 |
| 1947 | 32,750,000 |
| 1948 | 33,100,000 |
| 1949 | 33,500,000 |
| 1950 | 33,560,000 |
| 1951 | 33,600,000 |
| 1952 | 33,700,000 |
| 1953 | 33,800,000 |
| 1954 | 34,100,000 |
| 1955 | 34,450,000 |
| 1956 | 34,700,000 |
| 1957 | 35,000,000 |
| - | - |
| - | - |
This is an example using the Waltham serial number table. Be sure to use the table that is specific
to YOUR brand of watch when looking up your serial number.
Ball Pocket Watch Serial Number Database Online
Be sure to use the serial number on the watch movement (the mechanism).
Do not use the serial number from the watch case.
Including Hamilton Watch Serial Numbers and Production Dates
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
1892 - 1969
Hamilton factory: Using a precision scale to fit
balance screws to a balance.
Hamilton Watch Company: Early Days
In 1874, General Ulysses S. Grant was President of the United States and Conestoga wagons creaked their way along the Lancaster Turnpike, as citizens heeded the call of Horace Greely to 'Go West.' Another form of pioneer was building a factory in the pastoral community of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Adams and Perry Watch Company was built right beside the turnpike. Its founders possessed a good combination of skills: Mr. Perry was a watch designer, and Mr. Adams was an organizer and promoter. They brought skilled watchmakers to Lancaster and began production in 1875.
Like so many infant industries, Adams and Perry did not have enough capital to market their product. Lancaster citizens came to their rescue in 1877, raising $225,000, and the reorganized company was renamed the Lancaster Watch Company. The Lancaster Watch Company continued to suffer growing pains and was reorganized again in 1884, this time as the Keystone Standard Watch Company. Nevertheless, the financial problems persisted until 1892.
In that year, the Hamilton Watch Company came into existence as a result of yet another reorganization. The name, Hamilton, was selected to honor Andrew Hamilton, original owner of the Lancaster site on which the factory was situated. Hamilton was granted the land by William Penn's heirs and is credited with founding the city of Lancaster with his son James.
Hamilton Watch was founded by merging Keystone with the Aurora (Illinois) Watch Company. Aurora machinery was moved to Lancaster in summer of 1892. Among the leading business and professional men of Lancaster who founded the Hamilton Watch Company were J. W. B.Bausman, John F. Brimmer, Harry B. Cochran, Frank P. Coho, C. A. Fondersmith, George M. Franklin, John Sener, John C. Hager, J. F. McCaskey, H. M. North, Martin Ringwalt, J. Frederick Sener, William Z. Sener, James Shand, Peter T. Watt and H. S. Williamson. Charles D. Rood and Henry J. Cain of Springfield, Massachusetts represented the Aurora interests.
Hamilton Railroad Watches
The Hamilton Watch Company was founded in 1892 and set out to serve the railroad market with accurate timepieces. The rugged, precision watch that Hamilton produced became a favorite among railroad watch inspectors and personnel. In fulfilling the railroads' requirements for accuracy, it also filled the needs of the general public for a timepiece of high quality. By the turn of the century it came to be known as 'Hamilton – The Railroad Timekeeper of America.'
In 1927 Hamilton purchased the Illinois Watch Company of Springfield, Illinois and Robert E. Miller, vice-president, left Lancaster to become its general manager. The Hamilton-Sangamo Corporation was formed in 1929 by the Hamilton Watch Company and the Sangamo Electric Company of Springfield, Illinois to market a new line of electric clocks. The Hamilton-Sangamo Corporation was sold in 1931 to General Time Instruments, Inc. Trademarks of the E. Howard Watch Company were acquired by Hamilton in 1931. Although never extremely active in the manufacture of 'Howard' watches, Hamilton has produced small quantities under this brand name.
Hamilton Military Watches
American soldiers during World War I preferred the smaller size and convenience of the wristwatch to the 'old-fashioned' pocket watches. This trend caused a major shift in American watch production, with a new emphasis on producing wristwatch models for both men and women. During World War II, Hamilton ramped-up production of several models of chronometer to meet the US Armed Forces (particularly the US Navy's) need for an extremely accurate timepiece which could be used for navigation at sea. Prior to WWII, such highly accurate instruments were only produced abroad. The first Hamilton chronometers were delivered to the Navy in February 1942, and at their peak Hamilton was making 500 chronometers per month!
Hamilton Model 23 Military Chronograph was widely used during WWII as a navigator's 'stop-watch'.
Based on the super-reliable 992B with Elinvar hairspring and mono-metallic balance, the Mod 23 adds a chronograph mechanism, making it one of the most complicated watches produced by Hamilton.
Hamilton has always been on the forefront of horological innovation. The Elinvar hairspring was patented in 1931 and used in all movements thereafter. The name Elinvar was derived from the term 'Elasticity Invariable' and was the first alloy to resist the changes in elasticity that occur with changes in temperature.
Hamilton Electric
In January 1957, Hamilton introduced the world's first electric wristwatch, a breakthrough for the industry and the first basic change in portable timekeeping since the early 16th century. Powered by a tiny 1.5 volt battery guaranteed to run the watch for more than a year, the new watch completely eliminated the need for a mainspring. The electric current necessary to operate one 100-watt bulb for one minute could run an electric watch for 20 years. The Hamilton Electrics featured not only a revolutionary movement design, but also were known for their avant garde styling, making them among the most collectible watches today.
Also during the mid-fifties Hamilton embarked on a program of expansion and diversification. As a result, the company produced watches under three brand names – Hamilton, Vantage and Buren – in six plants in this country and abroad, manufactured sterling and plated silverware, fabricated and processed rare and exotic metals, and produced mechanical and electronic measuring devices and components. Hamilton also produced rocket fuel alloys, special metals for the Apollo program, missile timers and safety and arming devices for military applications.
See Full List On Pmtime.com
Hamilton continued to produce some of the finest American watches until 1969, earning them the distinction of being the only American watch company to survive global competition will into the 20th century. They truly represent the pinnacle of American watchmaking.
Modern Hamilton Watches
If you own a modern, battery-powered quartz Hamilton Watch, you should know that it has no connection to the original Hamilton Watch Company. Watches bearing the Hamilton name can still be found today, but the brand is now owned by the Swatch Group, one of the largest Swiss watch conglomerates. Any Swatch service center can perform repairs on your modern Hamilton watch.
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Total Production: Approx. 4.5 Million Watches
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1893 | 1 - 2000 |
| 1894 | 5000 |
| 1895 | 11,500 |
| 1896 | 16,000 |
| 1897 | 27,000 |
| 1898 | 50,000 |
| 1899 | 74,000 |
| 1900 | 104,000 |
| 1901 | 143,000 |
| 1902 | 196,000 |
| 1903 | 260,000 |
| 1904 | 340,000 |
| 1905 | 435,000 |
| 1906 | 500,000 |
| 1907 | 580,000 |
| 1908 | 680,000 |
| 1909 | 750,000 |
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 790,000 |
| 1911 | 860,000 |
| 1912 | 940,000 |
| 1913 | 1,000,000 |
| 1914 | 1,100,000 |
| 1915 | 1,200,000 |
| 1916 | 1,300,000 |
| 1917 | 1,400,000 |
| 1918 | 1,500,000 |
| 1919 | 1,600,000 |
| 1920 | 1,700,000 |
| 1921 | 1,800,000 |
| 1922 | 1,900,000 |
| 1923 | 2,000,000 |
| 1924 | 2,050,000 |
| 1925 | 2,100,000 |
| 1926 | 2,150,000 |
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1927 | 2,200,000 |
| 1928 | 2,250,000 |
| 1929 | 2,300,000 |
| 1930 | 2,350,000 |
| 1931 | 2,400,000 |
| 1932 | 2,440,000 |
| 1933 | 2,480,000 |
| 1934 | 2,520,000 |
| 1935 | 2,560,000 |
| 1936 | 2,600,000 |
| 1937 | 2,900,000 |
| 1938 | 3,200,000 |
| 1939 | 3,400,000 |
| 1940 | 4,000,000 |
| 1941 | 4,250,000 |
| 1942 | 4,500,000 |
Be sure to use the serial number on the movement (the works) of the watch. Do not use the serial number from the watch case.
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Can’t find your serial number in the table? Click here for an explanation and example of how to use our serial number tables.
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Need help finding the serial number on your watch? Click here for instructions on how to identify and open most common case types.
Hamilton also used serial numbers preceded by a letter on certain grades from about the late 30's until the late 60's. The following tables can help in identifying these watches. It is sometimes necessary to interpolate to estimate the particular year of a watch.
| Grade | S/N | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 992B | C001 | 1940 |
| 992B | C40,000 | 1941 |
| 992B | C60,000 | 1942 |
| 992B | C90,000 | 1943 |
| 992B | C120,000 | 1944 |
| 992B | C170,000 | 1946 |
| 992B | C215,000 | 1947 |
| 992B | C255,000 | 1948 |
| 992B | C350,000 | 1949 |
| 992B | C390,000 | 1950 |
| 992B | C420,000 | 1954 |
| 992B | C455,000 | 1956 |
| 992B | C500,000 | 1959 |
| 992B | C520,000 | 1964 |
| 992B | C529,200 | 1969 |
| - | - | - |
| 4992B | 4C0001 | 1941 |
| 4992B | 4C40,000 | 1942 |
| 4992B | 4C90,000 | 1944 |
| 4992B | 4C120,000 | 1950 |
| 4992B | 4C135,000 | 1960 |
| 4992B | 4C145,000 | 1968 |
| Grade | S/N | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 950B | 2B001 | 1941 |
| 950B | 2B400 | 1942 |
| 950B | 2B800 | 1943 |
| - | - | - |
| 950B | S001 | 1941 |
| 950B | S1500 | 1944 |
| 950B | S2800 | 1945 |
| 950B | S4000 | 1946 |
| 950B | S4500 | 1947 |
| 950B | S6500 | 1948 |
| 950B | S7500 | 1949 |
| 950B | S10,000 | 1951 |
| 950B | S25,000 | 1955 |
| 950B | S28,000 | 1962 |
| 950B | S30,000 | 1965 |
| Grade | S/N | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | H50001 - H57500 | 1930 - 1933 |
| 747 | Y001 - Y453800 | 1947 - 1954 |
| 748 | CY001 - CY232000 | 1948 - 1954 |
| 750 | 001A - 914000A | 1949 - 1954 |
| 752 | 001E - 48000E | 1951 - 1954 |
| 753 | 001F - 103400F | 1951 - 1954 |
| 754 | 001H - 43900H | 1952 - 1954 |
| 979 | 2900001 - 2931900 | 1934 - 1951 |
| 980 | G101 - G669400 | 1934 - 1951 |
| 980B | A001 - A8900 | 1937 - 1946 |
| H980 | HW001 - HW1075 | 1942 - 1949 |
| 980I | W001 - W1050 | 1942 - 2948 |
| 982 | J1001 - J670600 | 1935 - 1951 |
| 982M | M001 - M201900 | 1941 - 1951 |
| 986 | 2100001 - 2191300 | 1922 - 1926 |
| 987 | 001 - 0486300 | 1937 - 1948 |
| 987E | 4025301 - 4523000 | 1928 - 1937 |
| 987S | SS001 - SS87400 | 1940 - 1948 |
Be sure to use the serial number on the movement (the works) of the watch. Do not use the serial number from the watch case.
Can’t find your serial number in the table? Click here for an explanation and example of how to use our serial number tables.
Need help finding the serial number on your watch? Click here for instructions on how to identify and open most common case types.
At Renaissance Watch Repair, we are experts in the repair and restoration of Hamilton watches, and they are one of our personal favorites to work on! We are also always looking for Hamilton watches to purchase. Please contact us if you have any questions about the repair of your vintage Hamilton watch.