Eight Steps to Grade a Vintage Hamilton Watch

So you’ve finally procured a Hamilton watch! It’s one-of-a-kind timepiece that tells you more than hours, minutes and seconds. The classic, handcrafted watch is made by a company that dates back to 1874, originally known as Adams & Perry Watch Manufacturing Company. Product quality got much better when it became Hamilton Watch Company in 1892. An online watch publication cited that success of watchmaker typically depends on quality rather than number of produces per year.

Today, there are dozens of vintage Hamilton wristwatches traded online from prime collectors and specialists. You can grade the timepiece by its overall condition and genuineness. Assign a percentage or grades such as “AAA” for excellent, “AA” for very good to “B” fair so on. Here are a few steps to help you classify the piece accurately!

Step One

Closely examine the dial with a magnifying glass or jeweller’s loupe (a special magnifier used by jewellers and watchmakers). Even a lightest glow across the dial with neat markings, numbers and hands are a symbol of authentic product and usually classified in good condition. Perfect markings and pristine hue over 80 years old Hamilton watch might be a refurbished version.

Step Two

Using the same magnifier, scan for possible cracks and scrapes over the crystal. Mineral glass indicates original product whereas sapphire glass indicates renovation since sapphire crystals weren’t available to 60s and 70s.

Step Three

Now, inspect the crown. If it’s signed on a pre-war timepiece, product is counterfeited since Hamilton didn’t sign crowns with an “H” till 1950s. Take a polishing cloth and gently clean the case. Small scratches and blemishes are expected due to everyday wear and tear and that itself is a sign of genuine wristwatch. Revamped piece will be unscratched!

Step Five

Classic Hamilton watches boast either a screw of snap back case to pry it open. Lest it’s a snap case, carefully open with a flat blade to examine movement for possible dirt or tampering. Multi-digit serial code, movement number which usually contains alphanumeric would help identify year of manufacture.

Step Six

Contact a local appraiser in your area or take the piece to authorised dealers who’ll gladly help you to determine product authenticity. List details over online appraising sites however information can be biased at times. Auction sites like eBay or any other are excellent source when it comes to price or check legitimacy of a product. While you may come across hard-to-find timepieces as well which is a wonderful treat for collectors.

Step Seven

It’s always better to leave the product untouched that is in pure shape rather than applying restoration tricks. Genuine pieces, even with a little wear and tear can be sold on profit rather than refurbished version. Nevertheless, if purchasing overhauled wristwatch, remember cogs and other parts aren’t always genuine that eventually degrade product quality and ultimately, cost.

Step Eight

After carefully noting the details and condition, it’s finally time to assign a percentage or grade as stated earlier. Opinions from watch experts are;

• Above 90 is for excellent, maybe restored, never worn or old stock, no brassing
• From 80 to 89 for normal wear
• 70 to 79 is for usual wear but possible scrapes
• 60 to 69 for dings and heavy brassing
• Below 60 for damaged, missing parts, inoperable however salvaged product.

By following the above steps, you can precisely and easily classify vintage Hamilton wristwatch.

Body Hang-Ups: I Wish I have…..

Everyone have body hang-ups and apply ways to get rid of them or conceal them so that it doesn’t get obvious. We definitely have no magic wand to fix them over night, but we definitely have alternatives to conceal them under. Addressing your body hang-ups is the best way to understand and embrace your personality with confidence.

Today, we have crop top ubiquity and expectations to meet, so we hardly get ways to escape from our own body hang-ups. Embracing your originality doesn’t mean that we stop growing or skip an eye from addressing our shortfalls. Thus, working out solutions to improve or conceal body hang-ups is the only way to boost your self-esteem and confidence.

Fashion has reached an edge where we have everything but hopelessness. Thanks to fashion schools and institutes for working out best styles for all seasons, women is no more redundant with old granny coats and hand stitched frocks.

It’s time to say good bye to skin baring weather, we went to some of the best designers and have culled up some of the best winter styles with fashionable cuts to address every shape, body cuts and concerns. So whether you want to be as bootylicious as Lopez in her fur coats or as appealing as beyonce’s, here are a few tips to enjoy figure flattering dressing ideas this autumn winter 2014.

If you want a bigger chest and you want to get rid of your squeezed look, go for ruffled coat and embellished jackets. Get a volume-enhancing décolletage with embellished ruffles to make your chest area look busy.

If you want a flatter stomach or you want to hide out your flappy belly, go for a smart wrap dress. Something that wraps around your waistline with a smart belt, the draped flowing fabric helps hide away your belly fat. Make sure your belt stays above your naval and doesn’t slip down.

If you want longer legs or want to look taller as others, a monochromatic running pant would do the needful. Slim your gams with a single colour pants straight down to your feet along with long boots, without getting your ankles exposed, or else the look wouldn’t work out well.

If you want smaller hips or you want to hide your heavy bottom look, the best way to slenderize your bottom shape with a pair of jeans that has flares. Volume at the hem neutralises wider and broader hips and conceals your ugly hang-ups. Try and wear mid-thigh coat along with it to add glamour to your entire look.

If you want a shorter torso and want to get rid of your exceeding height, try a cropped top with a full-length skirt. Full length skirts cut down body’s lengthening effect and a smaller top would complement your entire outfit. If its freezing and you’re unable to show your tummy, pick a high-waist skirt, so only a sliver of skin shows out.

Apart from choosing the right winter pairs and concealing your body hang-ups, it is important to keep up with latest fashion statements like Tom Ford sunglasses, designer watches and jewelleries. Or else, no matter how good you are dressing up your body nothing could fix the accessory gap or shortfalls.

You could be as glamorous as any Hollywood queen if you’re successful in concealing your flappy body hang-ups. Read further to understand how to make the best out of winters and add glamour to your personality.