DESCRIPTION:
APW - Hamilton, Serial #37, Grade 936, 17J, 18S, gold-filled OF original Dueber case with beautiful engine turning and floral engraving detail to rear, white enamel DS dial, SW-LS, nickel damascene, s#37. An excellent example of a low two-digit serial number Hamilton, this movement also has the notable feature of Hamilton's earliest regulator design which features its tensioning spring on the underside of the balance cock table. Per the superb research on early Hamilton products at Rhett Lucke's http://hamilton.rrstd.com/Hamilton/Early_Hamiltons.html website, it is believed that this earliest regulator style is found only among movements which Hamilton shipped out prior to January 1894. In review of the factory ledger, it appears that only 58 watches were likely sent out with this regulator design, and among this total 12 were sent back to the factory and resold at a later date and would have likely been fitted with the later regulator style prior to their re-shipment which would reduce the total number with this regulator style to only 46. This particular serial number is listed in the Hamilton factory ledger as having been finished on November 25th, 1893 and as having been sold on December 16th, 1893 to John H. Reid of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, some mild toning of plates, patch of fine scratches to plate in area between lever jewel setting and "Safety" marking, some scattered small micro-fine scratches and pinpoint surface nicks elsewhere to plates, mild bits of oxide to regulator assembly; dial with patched edge chip outside minute chapter near 8, few scattered faint to very faint hls and small micro-fine scratches, minuscule pinpoint flakes at junctions of outer chapter and center section alongside seconds-register, few scattered minuscule edge nicks under bezel; excellent hands, seconds-hand with some oxide; case shows hardly any wear, few pinpoint nicks to band, no dents or dings, excellent engine turning and engraving detail; tight bow, crown shows little wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$3000
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$6000
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