DESCRIPTION:
Hamilton, rare Model M-21 marine chronometer with 24-hour dial, fusee-drive with spring detent escapement, 56-hour power reserve winding indicator, original gimbaled brass tub within brass-mounted and banded inner mahogany box with gilt Hamilton signature plate, outer mahogany box with plastic Hamilton signature plate, leather strap, black metal 24-hour dial of approximately 4 inch diameter marked "Hamilton U.S.A.," "Model M-21" within a capsule-shaped recess and "3E014" within its seconds-register, KWKS, fully capped spring detent escapement, 14J, mono-metallic free-sprung balance with helical Elinvar hairspring, mvt marked "Model 21," satin nickel finish, s#2E12483. This very rare piece was made by Hamilton in the 1950s and features the same 24-hour dial arrangement as was used in the 1940s by Hamilton among a small production of 24-hour dial "Model 121" chronometers. The dial of the present example differs from the Model 121 dial in that its seconds-register has a white ring interior to the seconds numerals, whereas the Model 121 dial does not. A number of these dials with inner seconds-register ring were produced in the 1940s intended for the Model 121 and these were marked with US Army Air Force markings and serialized with the 3E sequence of the Model 121 production, but this dial style was rejected by the Air Force in favor of the version without inner seconds-register ring. In the 1950s a small number of these "rejected" dials in Hamilton's inventory were then utilized as seen on the present example for the production of 24-hour dial chronometers with Model 21 movements, and these 1950s vintage 24-hour chronometers with Model 21 movements are known to collectors as "second series" machines as opposed to the 1940s vintage Model 121 which are considered the "first series," are marked "Model 121" on their movements, and of which only 42 were made. The dial of the present example, with its "Model M-21" marking in a milled recess in place of where the dial would have initially been marked "U.S. Army Air Force," is consistent with at least two other known pieces which share this same style 24-hour marking with milled "Model M-21" marking and likewise have movement serial numbers in the 2E1248x range and dial serial numbers in the 3E01x range. Please see our attached photos for images of the Hamilton factory timing records of the present piece noting its serial number of 2E12483, the presence of "24 hour dial," and listing of "Geotechnical Corp" as the entity being tested for. These Hamilton timing card records for this chronometer were provided courtesy of Larry Crutsinger of https://www.hamiltonparts.com. Thank you, Larry! From the Estate of Michael "Skip" Marrone.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, good winding indicator function, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, some scattered fine scratches; dial with some areas of oxide and finish loss within and around the recessed “Model M-21” marking, some spots of finish loss in this area have been recolored with ink, few mild fine scratches elsewhere to dial, some typical perimeter wear under bezel; excellent hands; near mint brass tub and gimbals, good beveled glass crystal; inner box in near mint cosmetic condition overall, few scratches, upper half currently opening/closing freely without resistance as it is lacking its locking key and latch function is unknown; outer box in excellent cosmetic condition overall, small unevenness of front left junction of top and sides to upper portion of box with small overhang at side, some scratches with high majority being to upper portion, leather strap intact and shows ample wear.
ESTIMATE:
$2000
-
$4000
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