Expert: Melvin Mills - 2/27/2009

Question
hello,  I have a hamilton pocket-circa 1904=grade 992-only 500 made-21 jewels....according to serial #, it was made in ( 1904 ) but along the top ridge inside, it,s engraved (1883)----why??

Answer
Ed,

The serial number is what you want to go with for dating the watch.

Is the engraving on the case?  If so, it could be the serial number of the case.  Before the 1920's, movements were sold separately from the cases.  A jeweler/watchmaker would put them together at the store.
Many railroad watches, because of the constant use, had to be re-cased over the years.  That is why one cannot date the watch by the case.

Kind regards,

Melvin