NWA: Vintage Hamilton Square from 1925
Being fairly content with my modern timepiece collection, I’ve been feeding my curiosity in American watchmaking heritage and started looking into vintage pieces. I came across a beautiful vintage Hamilton last week and, rather than diving straight into it, I held off from buying it to do further research over the course of the past week.
My research (and additional research provided by @ChronoGuy) found that, in short and based on the serial number, the watch was probably made around 1925, and used the 986A movement (no moving seconds). The line came in a solid or engraved bezel configuration of either ‘green’ (yellow) or white 14k gold filled. Unlike the other models I found on various sites online, of which were quite limited, the model I came across in person was overhauled by a watchmaker with a new crystal, but still had the original lume and an overall beautiful intact dial patina.
I wasn’t able to get my mind off of the watch over the last week, so today I decided to revisit it and thankfully it was still available. Pejman at ‘One More Time’ in Ventura, California and I settled on a great price and now I’m smitten to have a piece of American horological history on my wrist.
Watch nerd focused on classic timeless pieces with undeniable heritage in a compact package.
17 jewels was top of the line for 1926. That's a good looking watch.
Fantastic watch!
I consulted the great book "Hamilton Wristwatches: A Collectors Guide"by Hamilton expert Rene Rondeau.
He lists this style as "Square Engraved" 1923.
With respect to the 986 movement, he states, "The first 986 movement was made on December 19, 1922 with serial number 2100001, the last on October 18, 1926 with serial number 2191300, for a total of 91,300 watches. There was only one series of numbers through the 986 and 986A production."
Your serial number is 2168404, so it would make sense that the watch was produced circa 1925 since it would be approx. 22,825 movements per year beginning in December 1922.
Fantastic watch!
I consulted the great book "Hamilton Wristwatches: A Collectors Guide"by Hamilton expert Rene Rondeau.
He lists this style as "Square Engraved" 1923.
With respect to the 986 movement, he states, "The first 986 movement was made on December 19, 1922 with serial number 2100001, the last on October 18, 1926 with serial number 2191300, for a total of 91,300 watches. There was only one series of numbers through the 986 and 986A production."
Your serial number is 2168404, so it would make sense that the watch was produced circa 1925 since it would be approx. 22,825 movements per year beginning in December 1922.
Thanks for all the info!!! This is great! It really spoke to me the first time I saw it. I might need to get that book.
Thank you 🙌
17 jewels was top of the line for 1926. That's a good looking watch.
Thanks 🙏
Thanks for all the info!!! This is great! It really spoke to me the first time I saw it. I might need to get that book.
Be careful...Rene helped me when I was getting into the Hamilton Electrics (I am a huge mid-century modern / 1950s rockabilly fan)...I was buying my first Hamilton Ventura...I picked up his book on the Hamilton electrics...I was gone man...ended up with a whole collection of them...
Be careful...Rene helped me when I was getting into the Hamilton Electrics (I am a huge mid-century modern / 1950s rockabilly fan)...I was buying my first Hamilton Ventura...I picked up his book on the Hamilton electrics...I was gone man...ended up with a whole collection of them...
Ok, maybe I don’t need the book. Hahaha! Besides it ranges between $200-500 for the book. Not sure I want to drop an additional sum just to read exactly what you paraphrased. Thanks again!
Ok, maybe I don’t need the book. Hahaha! Besides it ranges between $200-500 for the book. Not sure I want to drop an additional sum just to read exactly what you paraphrased. Thanks again!
Wow! $200-500 - maybe I should sell my copy 😉
Wow! $200-500 - maybe I should sell my copy 😉
Keep the book. That way you are the learned wizard who has special access to the rare watch tome.
That is a beautiful example. Créme de la créme.
I only managed to pick up one square. It already had an incorrectly reprinted dial so I had it redone properly.
Be careful...Rene helped me when I was getting into the Hamilton Electrics (I am a huge mid-century modern / 1950s rockabilly fan)...I was buying my first Hamilton Ventura...I picked up his book on the Hamilton electrics...I was gone man...ended up with a whole collection of them...
That’s a stunning collection!!!
I see one that’s missing though. LOL
That’s a stunning collection!!!
I see one that’s missing though. LOL
Thanks for the kind words!
Actually I just ran out of space...I love the Polaris...it's such an elegant design.
Winner!
Amazing!!!