1958 Hamilton Automatic K-409 | Restoration
Hamilton sourced all their automatic movements from a few different Swiss companies before they themselves relocated to Switzerland. The automatic movement in the K-409 was supplied by Cerina and branded as a Hamilton Caliber 661.
As received, this K-409 was in pretty good shape, although maybe a little tired looking.
With the screwdown caseback removed, I get my first glimpse of the 661 movement. All in all, it looks pretty good, if not a little dull. At this point I'm optimistic that it'll clean up very well.
As I start digging in, it's clear that there is plenty of arm cheese and verdigris gumming up the works. In the picture above, it's clear what the fault is that was adversely affecting the performance of this watch.
The dial ring is separate and independent of the dial. It will be easy to polish the gold numerals and markers on the dial ring not that is is removed from the case.
Still looking very good, just in need of a thorough cleaning.
On the watchmaker's side, it's apparent this watch has been over-lubricated. There is an excess amount of grease on the mainplate where the barrel bridge sits.
The automatic works alos look good, just dirty. There is no obvious damage to the various components.
The mainspring in the watch was an older style steel mainspring. Sitting inside the barrel for untold years has 'set' the mainspring, reduceing not only the power the spiring is able to produce, but also the amount of time it is able to run the watch, also known as power reserve. I swapped this old blue steel mainspring out for a NOS white allow mainspring.
Once out of the heated ultrasonic cleaner, the movement is nice and shiny.
As are the reassembled automatic works.
With the automatic works installed onto the watchmakers side of the movement, the watch is ready to be reassembled.
When installing the hands, it's critical to make sure all three hands clear, not only each other, but also any markers or numerals on the dial.
The dial was gently cleaned, revealing the distinctive design.
Using a crystal lift, the acrylic crystal is installed into the bezel.
After a good buffing, the case is reassembled to test the fitment before installing the movement and dial.
Under the unrelenting lights of a lightbox, this K-409 looks amazing and is ready for some serious wrist time.
