It is indeed the date the drawing was done. Each time the drawing is modified, another date is written below the previous dates. So this is the first drawing.

Good eyes Rick.

I think Tom has the right idea. Notice hand written notes says that no part number had been assigned because it was a purchased part. This drawing was done when they assigned a part number. H3458 I think they wanted a drawing in case they ever did need to make the dial themselves.

Don

OK, now you have me curious. I check several of the other early dials for the 987. None of the drawings were done before 1932. Some are labeled as having been made outside, while some are not labeled as such.

Hamilton changed their parts numbers system many times over the years. When they started a new part number for an old part they created a new drawing. However, when this happened in later decades, there was usually a note stating that this was the same part as old number xxxx or that is was a modified version of this old part.

Always more to learn.

Don

The rectangular is my favorite Hamilton, Period. It is large, lovely, and the first in 18K gold. The engraving is magnificent. I like everything about this watch. I own a perfect example, and bought and sold a lesser one. This one appears quite worn. It was obviously loved and worn. Attached are 2 examples of the dial. The one on the left was an old original dial. Note the faint gold coloring that was in the center. The one on the right is a restored dial, now placed on the example posted above.

It sold for $3862 to a known Hamilton collector.

The Rectangular.

Sold for only $3861 - even with worn lugs, surely a good price ?

DM

It is a buyers market. Prices are soft. This was a fine enough watch at a very VERY fine price.

IMHO buyer did well here.

Bill,

Knowing your love for the Rectangular, I was surprised to see you not posting about this one last week.

Frankly, at this price, I'm surprised a few more bidders we not in the mix. But I guess since all "the usual suspects" knew this one was for sale, one can only presume that a soft market allowed for a still relatively good deal...if one can label a fairly worn watch under $4k a good deal? Though if you'll sell me your terrific Rectangular for this price, I'll drive the 400 miles today!!

BTW Bill, is there any reason you did not have the "Butler's Center" added back on your example? Int'l dial has done this on a few of my Illinois dials, and it has looked great.

Regards,

Rick,

Thanks for your post. I added a post or two to this thread, but I make a practice to not post about a watch that I have bid on, or one that I will bid on. I believe that I may have posted an hour or two prior to the auction ending, but it was highly positive of the watch and the value of the watch, and certainly didn't help my cause in TRYING to buy it. I did not buy this watch.

In the future, I will make it a practice not to post about a watch that I have either bid on, or a watch that I am planning to bid on.

The Rectangular is my favorite Hamilton. Keep the Spur. Keep the Coronado. Keep the Piping Rock.

The Glendale, while more rare and equally engraved, is far too small. The Rectangular, with its large size, amazing detail, 18K case and special place in Hamilton History, this watch is my favorite. This one, and my Flight I, will be the 2 that I give to my children, if they wish to own a watch.

I was a high second place bidder for this watch, but alas, I failed to buy it. If it were the green gold version, I would not have lost.

It is my favorite Hamilton watch.

As for my dial, I believe that Internation Dial, my favorite watch dial restoration company, does not have the original pattern for this dial. They and I will get it right eventually. It isn't going anywhere. "Progress, not perfection".

WJH