DESCRIPTION:
APW - Hamilton, Grade 950B with very rare gold case, 23J, 16S, heavy 14K gold OF Hamilton Model 2 bar-over-crown case, initials on rear, "Hamilton 23 Jewels Railway Special" marked melamine DS dial, SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, jeweled barrel arbor, mono-metallic balance with Elinvar hairspring, striped pattern nickel damascene, s#24335. Gross weight of assembled watch 69.1 dwt (107.5 g). This Model 2 case in 14K gold version is very rare as Hamilton's pricing of this style limited its sales to a small handful of wealthy customers; in the September, 1950 Hamilton price list, the 14K gold version of the 950B is illustrated at $320 while the gold-filled version of the 950B is illustrated at $100. Please note that the present example does have a serial number mismatch between its band and its other case components, but as all case components are proper 14K gold Model 2 material the tremendous difficulty of sourcing these rare components separately suggests the strong possibility that this numbering mismatch is an original factory assembly error as opposed to a later marriage. From the Estate of Michael "Skip" Marrone.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, near mint cosmetic mvt condition overal, few small micro-fine scratches; dial with some scattered fine surface splits and some scattered fine scratches, some perimeter rub under bezel; near mint hands; case band with differing serial number to other case components, s#X0163 marked on band, s#J300892 marked within rear and corresponding "0" (marked as upside down "V") and 892 marking in Roman numerals scribed within case bezel, we suspect this serial number mismatch is possibly the result of an original factory assembly error rather than a marriage of case components at later time as there would be tremendous difficulty in sourcing these proper 14K gold components and as the initials engraved on case rear align appropriately (our photo demonstrates the end position of case rear threading to ordinary hand snugness, but if some added pressure is given with a more vigorous hand turn or with a rubber case grip the end position can be made to perfect vertical alignment), case shows very little wear, no dents or dings, excellent engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows very little wear; good thick glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$1600
-
$2400
"
"
"
"
"
"
"