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sconehead

Hamilton 917 build info

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sconehead

I've been asked a few times about the mods required to use the 917/921 movements for custom builds using various Pam cases.

I'll update this thread if I find out/discover any other useful stuff.

 

If you wish to use a 44mm Pam case, the small lip, only 1-2mm, on the mainplate needs removing for it to fit. This can be done by sanding, filing or using a dremel. Care must be taken not to get any filings/debris into the movement. For this reason I chose to strip it down completely. You use the mainplate itself as a guide and you'll achieve a virtually flush fit in the case, below is a pic to show what I mean.

 

10102009312.jpg

 

 

There's a tuto on stripping the movement here, http://www.replica-watches-guide.com/forum...?showtopic=2609 should you choose to go down the route I chose.

 

No removal of the lip is required when using a 47mm Getat/Jackson Pam case. In fact there's a 1-2mm gap around the entire movement. (I believe DSN cases will have the same internal dimensions as they are made for ETA 6497's too) Below is a pic of a 917, lip unmodded, in a Jackson/Tat case where I've tried to show this clearance.

 

DSCF0271.jpg

 

You'll need to make a movement holder for a secure fit. You can use pieces of piano wire, bent slightly, to secure the movement as Ziggy showed here with an Illinois movement,

 

pianowire.jpg

 

Other options are to use epoxy as Nightwwatch did here, http://www.homageforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=362

or to contact him to make a custom brass one for you, his section is here, http://www.replica-watches-guide.com/forum...p?showforum=101

 

As for 45mm Rad style cases, I haven't tried the Hammy movement in one yet.

 

I can confirm that a standard ETA stem works without modification in the 917 movement, I should imagine it's the same for the 921 as well. This means standard rep crowns can be used. :)

 

The biggest hassle to date with using this movement is if you want to use Pam style hands. The Hammy hand sizes are different to those of the ETA's. Members have worked around this in various ways. Most simply cutting and glueing the posts onto the underside of the hands. This means clearance with the dial is tight though. Ziggy used his watchmaking skills to machine an ETA cannon pin onto the Illinois one and modded the hour wheel too. This, however, isn't an option to us hobbyists, as the skill levels and machinery required are beyond most of us.

 

If only one of the custom part makers would supply a blank handset so that we could drill our own hole sizes to suit...:)

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toomanywatches
I've been asked a few times about the mods required to use the 917/921 movements for custom builds using various Pam cases.

I'll update this thread if I find out/discover any other useful stuff.

 

If you wish to use a 44mm Pam case, the small lip, only 1-2mm, on the mainplate needs removing for it to fit. This can be done by sanding, filing or using a dremel. Care must be taken not to get any filings/debris into the movement. For this reason I chose to strip it down completely. You use the mainplate itself as a guide and you'll achieve a virtually flush fit in the case, below is a pic to show what I mean.

 

10102009312.jpg

 

 

There's a tuto on stripping the movement here, http://www.replica-watches-guide.com/forum...?showtopic=2609 should you choose to go down the route I chose.

 

No removal of the lip is required when using a 47mm Getat/Jackson Pam case. In fact there's a 1-2mm gap around the entire movement. (I believe DSN cases will have the same internal dimensions as they are made for ETA 6497's too) Below is a pic of a 917, lip unmodded, in a Jackson/Tat case where I've tried to show this clearance.

 

DSCF0271.jpg

 

You'll need to make a movement holder for a secure fit. You can use pieces of piano wire, bent slightly, to secure the movement as Ziggy showed here with an Illinois movement,

 

pianowire.jpg

 

Other options are to use epoxy as Nightwwatch did here, http://www.homageforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=362

or to contact him to make a custom brass one for you, his section is here, http://www.replica-watches-guide.com/forum...p?showforum=101

 

As for 45mm Rad style cases, I haven't tried the Hammy movement in one yet.

 

I can confirm that a standard ETA stem works without modification in the 917 movement, I should imagine it's the same for the 921 as well. This means standard rep crowns can be used. :)

 

The biggest hassle to date with using this movement is if you want to use Pam style hands. The Hammy hand sizes are different to those of the ETA's. Members have worked around this in various ways. Most simply cutting and glueing the posts onto the underside of the hands. This means clearance with the dial is tight though. Ziggy used his watchmaking skills to machine an ETA cannon pin onto the Illinois one and modded the hour wheel too. This, however, isn't an option to us hobbyists, as the skill levels and machinery required are beyond most of us.

 

If only one of the custom part makers would supply a blank handset so that we could drill our own hole sizes to suit...:)

 

 

Thanks for the information B... will save a lot extra work and frustration

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dingle

fine, quality post this is......:)

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greg_r

Great stuff. Well done, Sconey! :)

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