Recent purchase. This is a Hamilton 12s with a digital rotating seconds. Serial number is 3398475. What I liked about it besides the rotating seconds was the like new condition of the case. The dial has a few age spots, but I was happy to pay $155 for this beauty.

John III

Case Back

Cuvet

Outside Case Markings

Cuvet Markings

Bow and Crown area

Movement

John, I was looking at that thing. I am proud that you have it. It is interesting and the price was right.

Cool watch John!

That's a neat watch, John. You don't see many with that rotating seconds. I like it!

Very nice looking watch, John, and the seconds bit is very unusual....Instead of a hand moving on a seconds dial, the entire seconds dial moves against a stationary indicator....very quaint, indeed....

Regards,
Jerry

I also have the Waltham version. It is also in a Wadsworth case,but it reads Waltham,Wadsworth. It has a rigid bow,and nice artwork on the case. I was trying to get one of each,Waltham,Hamilton,Illinois,Ball,and I even have the Dollar watch version,called the Sentinal Click,by the E. Ingrahm Co. I didn't have any luck finding either the Illinois or the Ball versions. I guess they are pretty rare.

The back

The movement

Nice watches,

I have seen a few of the Illinois ones...... anyone have a picture?

Steve

Cecil,

Nice Waltham. The area where you read the seconds is, I think, a little easier to read than the Hamilton.

John III

Hey John,

Thanks. I kinda like the Waltham a little more than the Hamilton,plus I have had it for a long time and kinda attached to it a little more than the Hamilton. The Hamilton is worth more,according to the book,but I guess my values don't always follow book values. I think this is the last Hamilton that I have. Seems hard to believe that less than a year ago I had over 30 Hamiltons.

For a short period of time Hamilton,Waltham Illinois and Ball offered watches with rotating seconds.

I think one reason that they were only a fad is that they are harder to read .

Below are two pictures of some of these watches. The first is of Illinois and Waltham I own.

Most of the rotating seconds Illinois came in this unusual shaped case. Also what is unusual is the condition of the dial--most show a lot of oxidization.

The Waltham looks brand new except for a small ding on the back of the case.

Back cover of Waltham

In original box

Here are photos of my Waltham and Hamilton rotating seconds watches. Starting with the Waltham, here is the dial of a circa 1923 21j Colonial-B in 14k.

Movement

Here is the Hamilton in a Farragut 14k wgf Wadsworth case.

Ethan
You always have nice examples.

My experience is that the Hamiltons were most likely to come in a white gold filled Farragut case--I have also seen a few in green gold.

Bob

Bob/Ethan,

What beautiful examples as usual! Pristine as the day they were made. Gorgeous!

Here is my other Hamilton 912 with rotating seconds. Serial number is 3404437. The dial on this one also has some spots, but the case and movement are nice.

Case Back

Case Markings:

Wadsworth
Quality
14 Karat Gold Filled
0403866

Movement

Nice, unusual case!

Lindell's just posted Ball Illinois 12s watch is the only the second example I have seen.