Many of the classic Hamilton wristwatches of the late 1920's and Early 1930's were identified by their shape: Barrel, Tonneau, Square, Oval. Others had interesting names: Meadowbrook, Coronado, Spur, Byrd.

I recently unearthed an example of the Hamilton "Rectangular", a watch from 1927 - 1928 that, for reasons that are unclear, never appeared in a Hamilton Catalog

A fellow collector and Hamilton Fanatic, Will Roseman, provided the following information from his Research:

"I am very familiar with the "Rectangular" (This is how it is described in Hamilton's early papers) and I did some research on it while at the museum, They were manufactured in 1927 and 1928, and utilized the 987 movement. Of the 18K White Gold version, 137 were made in 1927, and 111 in 1928. Thirty five examples of the 18K Green Gold version were made in 1927, and 29 in 1928. Rene Rondeau did not include it in his book because it did not appear in the Hamilton catalogs, and subsequently, he did not have a catalog picture to include."

As you can see from the following photographs (all of which I took and have different bands to give the watch a different look), the Rectangular is one of the larger Hamilton's. It has a curious hinged case, and the section that holds the movement is also engraved.

I thought you would enjoy seeing this very interesting and beautiful Hamilton.

Second

Third

fourth

movement

case

dial

edge

Bill,
that's one great looking watch. , Forgive me for saying so , but it reminds me of the classic Illinois watches from that timeframe.

Regards

Those photos are great, Bill. Thanks for letting us see this extremely rare Hamilton.

Most Hamilton collectors are unfamiliar with this watch. Although the Shugart price guide has contained a listing for the watch year after year with no model name (listed years ago correctly in 18K, then incorrectly in 14K in recent editions), it wasn't until a year or two ago that a catalog illustration was found that showed the watch as the "Rectangular" model, and the connection was made to the figures shown in the production records.

The watch was produced sporadically from 1927 to 1931, offered primarily with the grade 987 movement, although some were also made with the 979 movement. Combining the figures for both movements, a total of 249 were made in 18K white and 66 in 18K green.

The cases were hand-made and hand-chased. Consumer price in 1927 was $125.00.

I have only seen 4 examples of this model, including Bill's. I hope the next one I see will be mine... wishful thinking perhaps!

...just a magnificent 'piece Bill!!...

As luck would have it...I unearthed another example of the 18K White Gold Rectangular at the Kentucky Bluegrass Meeting/Mart in Louisville this weekend. I was shocked, to say the least, as this is a very, very rare one.

More views

Back

Dial

Case

Note how the movement holder is also engraved.

Unbelievable!!! The odds of finding two of these ultra rare early Hamilton 18K "Rectangular" wristwatches in the same month are beyond calculation!

Your luck is incredible... do you have any suggestions on what lottery numbers I should play for Wednesday night?

Bill,

Beautiful watches. Are the case backs actually hinged?

Bryan,

Use a combination of the serial numbers from each watch for Lotto.

Thanks so much. Actually, the first example has all 3 pieces of the case hinged together. The back is hinged on either side to the bezel and the movement holder.

In the new one, the back and movement holder is hinged together. The hinge holding the bezel to the back needs repair.

I sit here utterly amazed.

Thanks Dr. Bill!

Debbie, with lots to learn.

Debbie, Thanks so much for your continued participation on this board.

I am a beginner, and I am learning.

"Luck Happens".


It happens more often when you put yourself in the :

"path of probability".


In this hobby, it involves participating on boards, going to shows, responding to emails, seeking new sources for watches, watching the internet auction sites, and being ready for the impossible.