CLASSIC TOURBILLON. This is obviously not a Hamilton watch, nor is it vintage, so it's very out of character for me. However as a watchmaker I am fascinated by mechanical complications and tourbillons are among the most interesting of all. This beautiful tonneau-shaped solid stainless steel watch has a superb genuine tourbillon movement, with the balance cage rotating one full revolution per minute. The balance wheel itself has screw compensation for fine adjustment. It measures 39mm wide by 51mm long (lug-tip to lug-tip) and makes a very bold statement on the wrist. The dial has a raised hour track and beautifully decorated recesses in the lower portions, highlighted by Breguet hands and fire-blued screws. Brand-new in box! Manufacturers list price is $3,999, I offer this truly stunning timepiece for only $1,350.
(left) ANDREWS - 14K gold. This is one of the scarcest watches in Hamilton's so-called "Explorer" series, all made with the rare grade 401 movement and named for noted explorers of the day. While other watchmakers were starting to gravitate toward long rectangular watches, Hamilton was still developing a rectangular movement suitable for such elegant designs. As a stopgap measure they opted to use the Illinois grade 207 movement (Hamilton had bought out Illinois in 1928) and upgraded it from 17 to 19 jewels to create the Hamlton 401. It was replaced in 1934 by the in-house 980 and 982 grades. All of the 401 series are scarce and desirable but the solid gold examples are the most coveted of all. Only 1,137 yellow gold Andrews were produced, making this one of the hardest early Hamiltons to find today. Superb unengraved case and original dial. $1,695.
(right) DATELINE 1000B- 18K gold. This is an incredibly rare watch, one of only four I have ever seen. The case and integral gold band are made of solid 18K gold -- nearly 65 grams!! The date feature is set into the band, which is a very unique feature. The watch measures 7-1/2" so it is sized to fit an average wrist. $2,750.
(left) DIAMOND DIAL DRESS WATCH - 14K White Gold. Many collectors call this type of watch a 'contract case' but that is a misnomer as it implies that Hamilton contracted with a casemaker to produce these watches. In reality a wide series of diamond dial watches were privately assembled in the 1940s by a NY jeweler who took grade 980 movements from gold-filled Hamilton watches and recased them into his own custom cases made of gold, platinum, or palladium. This is a classic example of these collectible watches, with a heavy 14K white gold case and custom diamond dial. The elegant curved case measures 42mm long. $1,695.
(right) "LIBERTY COIN" WATCH - 10K RGP. This may not qualify as the most attractive watch Hamilton ever made, but it is definitely one of the most historic. It was the very last American-made Hamilton, produced in 1969 to use up the last remaining stocks of grade 770 movements. Writing in 1994, former Hamilton procurement manager Paul Frankenfeld claimed that less than 100 were made in total. While this might be a conservative estimate, there is no question that it is one of the rarest of all Hamiltons. Two versions were made, solid 14K gold and 10K Rolled Gold-Plate. This is one of the latter watches, and is in overal excellent condition, with a superb original dial and top-of-the-line 770 movement with 22 jewels -- the finest wristwatch movement ever made in the U.S. A classic rarity that is a must-have for any serious Hamilton collector. $695.
(New RGM Model 22 on left, original Hamilton Model 22 deck watch shown on right for comparison)
MODEL 22 by "EQUATION OF TIME" (RGM WATCHES). This stunning brand-new watch may not be made by Hamilton, but it is a magnificent homage to one of Hamilton's most historic watches: the Model 22 Chronometer made for the military during WWII. The original Model 22 was an essential navigation instrument which played a critical role in winning the war. A few years ago master watchmaker Roland Murphy, of the world-famous RGM Watch Company, made a limited edition of new wristwatches inspired by the Model 22 Chronometer. The dial markings, "up-down" wind indicator, coin-edge bezel, grooved crown, and crown guard all faithfully echo the original Hamilton design, albeit in a smaller, wearable size -- 39mm in diameter, with a 24mm strap. This striking watch is carefully hand-assembled in Lancaster County, PA, where Hamilton crafted the originals 65 years ago, and is fitted with a sapphire crystal and a top-quality 21-jewel Swiss movement with Geneva stripes and blued screws. The "Equation of Time" Model 22 by RGM was, and remains, a modern icon, a brilliant interpretation of a Hamilton classic.
This model has been out of stock for a couple of years but recently I asked Roland if he could make one for me, to add to my personal collection. He did, and it is now one of my favorite everyday watches -- a beautiful complement to my original Hamilton Model 22 and Model 21 chronometers. I was so pleased with this masterpiece that I asked Roland if he would consider making some for me to offer to my customers. I'm delighted to report that he has agreed to custom-make a few more, exclusively for you. Each watch will be hand-made to order in Lancaster, PA and will take approximately 1-2 weeks to complete. Two dial options are available -- silver (as original) or black. (Although Model 22 chronometers never originally had black dials, some Model 21s made for the Army Air Corps were designed in this way.)
The price for either dial color, fitted with top-quality black genuine alligator strap, is $1,750 -- 15% less than the original list price. (It can also be ordered with tan padded calfskin strap in lieu of the alligator strap, for $50 less.) A deluxe wood box is included that closely evokes the original deck watch boxes (pictured above). An optional sapphire display back is also available at $100, to reveal the beautiful movement in operation. All watches are brand-new and come with one year factory warranty.