Overview
A quintessential American-made Art Deco timepiece featuring a rectangular gold-filled case and a sub-seconds register at the six o'clock position.
Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A quintessential American-made Art Deco timepiece featuring a rectangular gold-filled case and a sub-seconds register at the six o'clock position.
Story
In the 1930s, a Hamilton watch wasn't just a tool for telling time; it was a badge of success during the most challenging economic era in American history.
Maker / Origin
Founded in 1892, Hamilton became the backbone of American horology, initially gaining fame for preventing train wrecks by providing ultra-accurate watches to railroad conductors.
Condition & Value
The case shows significant wear-through of the gold filling on the high points and edges, commonly called 'brassing.' The dial has a warm, honest patina consistent with age, and the crystal shows light scratching. The mechanical state is the primary variable; a fully serviced and running example would sit at the top of the range.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Regional auction
· Jun 2024Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
$1,280
Dealer archive
· Mar 2024Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
$1,450
Marketplace sale
· Jan 2024Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
$980
Estate platform
· Oct 2023Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
$1,150
Auction result
· Aug 2023Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.
$1,375