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Hamilton Grade 917 Pocket Watch Identification & Technical Specs
Guild Home > Archive > Hamilton Grade 917 Pocket Watch Identification & Technical Specs

Serial Number & Production Dating Lookup

Enter the 5 to 8 digit serial number stamped directly on the movement plate (not the watch case):

AMERICAN WATCHMAKER • American Watchmaker Hamilton Grade 917 DIAMETER: 42.4 mm | JEWELS: 21 Jewels | FREQ: 18,000 BPH ARCHIVE SPEC
Original Horological Blueprint • American Watchmaker Hamilton Grade 917 Movement Architecture

Technical Specifications & Factory Archival Records

Grade / ReferenceGrade 917
Movement Size10s
Jewel Count17 Jewels
Railroad CertificationStandard Grade (Non-Railroad)
Vibrations Per Hour18,000 BPH (2.5 Hz)
Balance Lift Angle51°
Power Reserve36 hours
Escapement TypeSafety pinion lever
Balance Wheel ConstructionBimetallic compensation balance with gold screws
Hairspring SpecificationBlued steel Breguet spring
Shock Protection SystemNone (Solid jewel settings)

Horological Architecture & Collector Notes

The American Grade 917 was engineered to meet rigorous American horological standards during the turn of the 20th century. Utilizing high-grade alloy components, a precision Safety pinion lever, and 17 jewels with fine ruby endstones, this movement provided exceptional isochronism and positional stability.

Among vintage restorers and conversion specialists, this series is admired for its accessible gear train geometry and solid metallurgy, making surviving specimens excellent candidates for preservation and custom recasing.

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