What module works in this Hamilton case?

[BENRUS]

I'm looking for a module to fit this case.
I found that my Frontier module fits nicely, but button contact to pusher is slightly out of reach, and the module carrier is too thick by a bit.
Any info on the original module needed, or what works would be greatly appreciated

HAMILTON LED CASE.JPG

HAMILTONLED.JPG

HAMILTON BACK.JPG

Anyone have a better glass?

Thanks

[retroleds]

No standard Frontier module will fit - you're right, the carriers are too thick and the contacts are much too recessed. A standard Frontier circuit board will fit on a Hamilton carrier, but the trimmer will be misaligned - don't press, you'll crack the board. You have to either do some plastic trimming on underside of carrier or move the trimmer about 2mm.

[Ole Joe]

Frontier made alarm modules for Hamilton which should fit that case. The alarm modules were about 7.5mm thick and had metal inserts which would allow the command and set buttons on the case to make contact with the watch substrate. By simply removing two spring contacts which were used to make contact to the piezo sounding element in the alarm watches, and removing the two metal contacts for the alarm functions, you would end up with a six function time piece, i.e., Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Month, Day, Day of the Week. The real time portion of the alarm modules used the identical chip used for standard six function watches. I can assist you in making the simple modifications to an alarm module if you are interested.

Regards,

Joe

[BENRUS]

Frontier made alarm modules for Hamilton which should fit that case. The alarm modules were about 7.5mm thick and had metal inserts which would allow the command and set buttons on the case to make contact with the watch substrate. By simply removing two spring contacts which were used to make contact to the piezo sounding element in the alarm watches, and removing the two metal contacts for the alarm functions, you would end up with a six function time piece, i.e., Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Month, Day, Day of the Week. The real time portion of the alarm modules used the identical chip used for standard six function watches. I can assist you in making the simple modifications to an alarm module if you are interested.

Regards,

Joe

Hi Joe,

Destroy alarm function?
Is there a way to just have dampened alarm sound with leaving all as-is, and then adding a thin piezo to underside of original case-back?
Totally interested in purchase or trade if you have one of these available

Thanks,
Matt

No standard Frontier module will fit - you're right, the carriers are too thick and the contacts are much too recessed. A standard Frontier circuit board will fit on a Hamilton carrier, but the trimmer will be misaligned - don't press, you'll crack the board. You have to either do some plastic trimming on underside of carrier or move the trimmer about 2mm.

Hi Ed,

Unfortunately, I don't have original carrier.
Does anyone has a picture of what it looks like?

Thanks,
Matt

[retroleds]

Frontier made alarm modules for Hamilton which should fit that case. The alarm modules were about 7.5mm thick and had metal inserts which would allow the command and set buttons on the case to make contact with the watch substrate. By simply removing two spring contacts which were used to make contact to the piezo sounding element in the alarm watches, and removing the two metal contacts for the alarm functions, you would end up with a six function time piece, i.e., Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Month, Day, Day of the Week.
Joe

THIS IS COMPLETELY INCORRECT - that alarm module will not fit in your case. It is 1.5mm to thick. "OJ" was in the circuit end of the biz at Frontier and apparently was quite unaware that Hamilton and Omega supplied their own carriers, which were 1.5 mm thinner, to accommodate 385 batteries versus 357s.
Joe first tried to sell me those modules 1.5-2 years ago and I pointed this difference out to him. He seemed to think he knew better - none of us gets it right every time.

And alarm module will fit in a Brietling, because Brietling used the generic Frontier carrier.

[Ole Joe]

Hi Joe,

Destroy alarm function?
Is there a way to just have dampened alarm sound with leaving all as-is, and then adding a thin piezo to underside of original case-back?


No way to make the alarm functions work. The piezo disk must be isolated electrically from any part of the case due to internal design of the alarm drive integrated circuit. Even if you could add a piezo, you must also have Alarm Command and Set buttons on the left side of the watch case.

[Ole Joe]

THIS IS COMPLETELY INCORRECT - that alarm module will not fit in your case. It is 1.5mm to thick. "OJ" was in the circuit end of the biz at Frontier and apparently was quite unaware that Hamilton and Omega supplied their own carriers, which were 1.5 mm thinner, to accommodate 385 batteries versus 357s.
Joe first tried to sell me those modules 1.5-2 years ago and I pointed this difference out to him. He seemed to think he knew better - none of us gets it right every time.


Ed, I worked for Frontier from approximately 1 year after the doors opened to the time that the LEDs phased out, so I was there for a good while. The alarm modules that I have were made for, and sold by Hamilton. They are constructed using plastic carriers designed by my boss while at Frontier, fabricated locally and assemblied by our production department. I have sold a number of these alarm modules on Ebay to individuals needing a working module that have Hamilton cases. As of this date I have never had anyone return one of the module or complain that the module did not fit their case. What you state about Hamilton and Omega suppling thier own carriers is true to a point. Frontier did install the original 5 & 6 function substrates into their supplied carriers. Omegas were gray, Hamilton black, and they WERE thinner than the run of the mill carriers that were used for the many "generic" watch companies we did business with. Our generic carriers were designed to accomodate 357 type battieries while the Omaga and Hamilton carriers used 386. The Hamilton Alarm modules that I have will take EITHER 357 or 386 style batteries by simply changing the battery clip. The battery cavities in the Hamilton Alarm modules I have were designed to the depth of a 386 battery (4.2mm). 357 batteries are 5.4mm thick, but with a proper battery clip will also work in this module.

You may very well be correct in stating that this alarm module will not work in the case shown, but it would be very simple to find out. I never seemed to think, "I knew better", that is a supposition made by you, why, I don't know.

[retroleds]

Actually, imo you slammed that supposition up my arse both here and in our private emails - it was merely quid pro quo rudeness. But anyway, imho you can't stick a module that 1.5mm taller into a Hamilton case without a whole lot of fiddling - the Hamiltons and Omegas were supposed to be thinner and sleeker. I realize you want to get rid of those parts but maybe you could buy a few Hamilton watches and scope out the differences for yourself. You don't want people steered wrong apparently and neither do I. Everyone has some holes in their knowledge base.

[BENRUS]

I broke my spare Frontier fiddling with it enough trying to squeeze it in my case, But I enjoyed the challenge.
I believe I can fix my mistake with silver solder, and I await the challenge of placing the display back on where it belongs later

Joe has offered for me to send him my case and see if he has something that will work, and if it does...
And if not, oh well...This one can sit on the back burner for awhile. I have plenty of other watches to enjoy

M.JPG

Thank you both for helping me out on my project, and I hope all is resolved eventually.
I wasn't expecting an immediate fix. I like the challenge of piecing together the past, it will be worth the wait to enjoy.

Thanks again,
Matt

[retroleds]

I have sold a number of these alarm modules on Ebay to individuals needing a working module that have Hamilton cases. As of this date I have never had anyone return one of the module or complain that the module did not fit their case.

Unfortunately our original poster doesn't have an alarm case so that doesn't apply. The alarm modules are all the same depth - which makes them mercifully easy to find. But the Hamilton alarm and stopwatch carriers are Ford blue.

[clockace]

don't want to get into the middle of this scuffle, but i have for repair a hamilton 957 alarm. frontier 2007 board in a blue carrier. not sure whether it is ford or chevy blue. my 2 cents. peter

[retroleds]

No squabble really, least not at my end - I made my point, I'm so over it.*

Pete, Ole Joe has a bunch of those - probably much better than trying to snatch one off the 'bay since his are NOS and should drop right in. Although, the board contacts may require cleaning after 35 year since they oxidize no matter what..unless you are prepared to store your watches in an airless environment.

I was being funny and informative with the Ford blue comment - I own a New Holland(brand) tractor which is "Ford Blue"......the color/brand of your equipment is a hot topic of discussion in this area. Yeah, yeah, just made a REAL funny.

*
I felt kind of bad for Hanno when he mentioned on "the other forum" that being a forum owner wasn't all fun. It is nice to be able to come and go and not give a piss what public opinion is on any topic or person.

[BENRUS]

I finally sent my watch to Joe, and I received it back working within a few days of sending it to him...

THANK YOU JOE
This works great!

MynewHamilton.JPG

Hbackside.JPG

HAMILTON.JPG

HamiltonLED.JPG

Hmodfront.JPG

[vpn]

Fantastic news, it's great to see that nice case with a working module again. Are you thinking to remove the scratches from the filter? Or you'll leave it as it is for daily wear?

[BENRUS]

Thanks!

I was planning to refinish the case, and do a crystal replacement...But now I've decided to just wear it
The watch band/bracelet is a Duchess off from a Hamilton METRO Date-o-Matic/Automatic in GoldPlate over StainlessSteel...But most all of the original plating is gone.
Being this watch is a caloboration of parts...It will never look original.
Love it the way it is, and I will enjoy it

[vpn]

'Welcome Benrus! Despite all the parts have been sourced from different models, it looks well combined together, the band doesn't look unfitting with that case. It can be a good daily wear as it is, so you won't have to fear to scratch the case or the filter, since it's been already used intensively.