Managed to score a Hamilton Model 21 (from the 80's...?)

Gentlefolks

Recently I started to look into clocks and tried (in vain) to find a good marine chronometer.

There are a few easier choices like those Russian made chronometers (Poljot 6MX) which from what I've researched, they are copies of a marine chronometer made by Germans in the last 30's in a collaboration between Wempe and Glashutte.

The chronometers by Wempe are not an option for my taste and I will explain.

It is a personal thing, but I don't want *anything* to do with anything *remotely* related to Nazi Germany.

I have a hard time to understand why some people seem attracted to German stuff from the period of 30s to mid 40's (like rifles or coins or watches). Sorry (not sorry!), but I hate nazis and authoritarians.

If you are into WWII memorabilia, buy American or British merch as they were on the right of history.
😀

I used to have a good perception of Russians due to their contributions during WWII, but the recent events in Ukraine changed my perception. I guess this is what happens when you grew up under a military dictatorship, that gives you a better appreciation for basic human rights and freedoms, but I digress.

All that being said, it leads naturally to the Hamilton model 21 marine chronometer.

Started as a copy of a Nardin marine chronometer requested by the US Navy in the late 30's already predicting an escalation of the conflict in Europe. Back then, the USA depended on importing movements from either UK or Switzerland, only building the case and boxes required by a marine chronometer.

The US Navy predicted that the Nazis could force an embargo, therefore stopping exports from Switzerland (which stayed neutral) to the USA. While the British could send chronometers to the USA, fact is that they desperately need their own production to attend the needs of their navy.

And credit should be given to Hamilton, as they went a few steps ahead in improving the original design:
a) Introducing an ovalizing balance wheel.
b) Manufacturing a better hair spring with a new production method that ensured all had the same properties (i.e. no need for manual fine tuning).
c) Creating manufacturing techniques that allowed mass production.

Apparently in the 30's only around 300-ish marine chronometers were made per year in the whole world (counting UK, Switzerland, France, etc).

By the end of WWII, Hamilton was producing over 600 marine chronometers *per month*.

The main issue is that it is pretty hard to find a good model 21 that hasn't being abused or neglected. The very few in good state are a bit over my budget.

Looking on EvilBay I chanced on a ad that listed a 'Hamilton Model 21 Tribute edition'. It looked in pristine state and the price was low, so I decided to pull the trigger.

Performing some research (after the fact), to my surprise I learned that I bought a clock made in the 80's. Apparently this 'Tribute edition' was a limited edition made by the then going bankrupt Hamilton.

It features a small plate on its front with a dedication for the original purchaser and serial (in my own it is '090', but I'm unsure how many were made).

Its movement is *not* a marine chronometer (i.e. no detent or fusee), but instead swiss lever escapement. It apparently was made by a manufacturer called 'FEMA' in the UK and has a power reserve of I believe 8 days.

I decided to keep it, it looks pretty cool and its an odd piece. There was an issue with postage where one of its mounting bolts were damaged, but I managed to find a really nice enthusiast watchmaker near my neck of the woods that manufactured new bolts (since their dimensions are *not* the same as the ones in the original Model 21 from the 40's).

So far, my search for a true Model 21 continues (perhaps will try to get me a Model 22 to pair them together).
😀

Serial # 6125 (September, 1944) sends salutations. These are a treat to own. A 52-hour reserve, 14-jewels, fusee, Earnshaw (dead-beat) escapement, 14,400 bph, key wind, key set, helical (elinvar) hairspring, free-sprung, mahogany cases by Heintzman Piano Co. The contract was awarded to Hamilton in 1941, but the first production model wasn’t delivered until early 1942. Elgin and Waltham were also bidding for the contract. I have seen pictures of the Elgin chronometer.

(Edited to correct “palladium” to Elinvar, and date changed to 1942.)

Mine. #5572



Hamilton Model 21 video of the detent action. Regular video frame rate for the first 14 seconds. Slo-mo after that. Notice the detent and escape wheel do not appear to be moving at the regular frame rate.

@Deafboy is very modest. About two years ago, or so, I received a PM from him regarding servicing a Hamilton model XXI, the chronometer in his post. He had happened upon several posts of mine on the OB concerning my XXI, and he was planning on servicing his. He had questions.

Over a period of a month or three, we PMed back and forth while he carefully followed the directions in the service manual. He completely went through the movement, and restored the case to the glory you see in the photos. I don’t know what @Deafboy ‘s background is, and what exposure he has had to projects such as servicing a model XI, but I gather this was a first for him. His addition to this thread reminded me of our earlier communications, and I must say that he has done a remarkable job, considering this was his first experience with servicing a model XXI. Well done!

@Syrte seems a possibly familiar storyline and timeline to your recent weems research 😀

@Deafboy and @Canuck: fantastic story!

Have you considered opening a thread with the steps of restoration of your marine chronometer? I believe lots of OF members would love to learn more.

Within the same theme, there is this really cool book on the subject, titled '
The Mariner's Chronometer: Structure, function, maintenance and history' by W. J. Morris
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1480121851/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I’d be glad to show pictures of the process of servicing a Model XXI, as I have done in the past. But the lack of response indicates to me that there is usually not much interest shown in the process. Perhaps @Deafboy might have a different response?

As I mentioned in the first post, there was an issue with one of the bolts that mount the clock in its case (it was damaged during the transport).

After considering what to do (should I send the clock back?), my wife suggested that it looked so nice so why not try to fix it?

I initially bought some bolts from an original Hamilton Model 22 from the 40's, but they didn't fit.

So I reached out to a fine gentleman that is a watch enthusiast and aspiring watchmaker based here in California, explained what was the issue and sent to him the broken bolt after sharing some photos.

He started making the bolts based on photos and finished them after receiving the broken one to verify what was the thread of the originals.

A look on its back and the movement:

As @Canuck mentioned, I mostly used the official service manual to overhaul the Model 21, and is the best written reference for this purpose. Morris' book is good for explaining the workings of a marine chronometer and gives tips to service them. His blog is also informative. Whitney's "Ship's Chronometer" is an excellent reference on marine chronometers. I want to thank @Canuck who graciously and generously took the time to answer all my questions to fill in the blanks in overhauling the Model 21.

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There is a source for genuine Hamiltonmilitary parts. The case on the tribute model may have some original Hamilton parts, and if so, replacements may be available. Paul is a great chap to work with.

Paul Krichten
Box 121, Finksburg MD.
21048
410 746-3384

If there is any interest in watching the process of servicing a model XXI marine chronometer, see the link. I didn’t watch the video, so I claim no responsibility for the content.

Early one!!

The Hamilton model XXI detent block and associated components wasn’t made by Hamilton. If I recall correctly, it was produced for Hamilton by a St. Louis Miss. retail jeweller. Apparently, Hamilton had problems producing this very vital component.

WOW! Serial number FOUR! How is it that this one is not n a museum, somewhere? Outstanding! According to Marvin Whitney, serial number 4 was one of the model XXI chronometers delivered to the navy in May of 1942.

To the happy owners of a true Hamilton model 21, I have a few questions:
a) Do you keep it running all the time?
b) Can parts be sourced?
c) What is the regular service interval?
d) Given the age (i.e. near 80 years), do they still keep good time?

My model XXI was finished in September, 1944. I bought it in 1985, from a collector. At that point, it hadn’t run for many years. I serviced it within weeks after I bought it, and ran it for several years. It was dormant for about 20 years, after which I serviced it again, and I ran it for several more years. I serviced it again in 2020, and have kept it running ever since. If one of these chronometers was to be run continually, I would suggest they be serviced every 5 years or so. Parts for Hamilton military timepieces are available from Paul Krichten whose info I gave, earlier in this thread. Accuracy? Mine runs within seconds per week, though I don’t obsess with its accuracy.