I have titled this thread (The importance of looking in our junk boxes).
First of all and most important the full credit for researching this rare Hamilton goes to our wristwatch monitor and my friend Dr. Bill Hansen.
I will start this story at its beginning about 10 or 11 years ago I attended an estate sale of a watchmaker in New Jersey. Among the things for sale was a box of Hamilton parts and some watches in different states and condition. If my memory serves I wanted two watches in the box a 992 and a 4992B 12 hour dial. I did try to buy just these two watches but was told I had to buy the entire box. Luckily I did. I still have the 4992B and at some point I will restore it.
Fast forward to about three weeks ago. I was working on a Hamilton Thin-o-matic and needed a part. I went through my Hamilton supplies and came up empty. It dawned on me that I had this box of Hamilton parts that I had never really gone through so I dug it out to have a look. I found the part and I found this watch.
This is a Hamilton Clinton from 1935 or 1936. I wish I had the before pictures but at the time I had no idea just how rare this watch is.
Bill found the information in Rene Rondeau’s book Hamilton Watch, A collectors Guide.
The watch came in three versions Yellow gold-fill, white gold-fill and in Sterling Silver.
The production figures are as follows

Yellow Gold Fill: 803

White Gold Fill: 1667

Sterling Silver called the Greeley: 1093

If Mr. Rondeau’s figures are accurate (From all I have head about him I believe they are.) Hamilton made more Spur’s and Altair’s than the Yellow Gold filled Clinton.
As I said I wish I had the before pictures to share. The condition of the dial required a re-do and was not the dial on the watch when I took it out of the box. It had an orange re-done dial that was filled down to fit the case. I am glad this watchmaker never got rid of anything because the correct dial was in the same box of junk and I now have a complete watch.
I must also point out that this was among the first wristwatches offered but Hamilton with a metal band. Unfortunately I don’t have this and if anyone has an example to post I would love seeing what the original looks like.

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I forgot I do have pictures mid way in the project and here they are.

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very nice watch Rich and junk boxes do come in handy.I like these older Hamilton wristies .

The junk box has yielded a few more finds two that stand out are a Hamilton Midas and a Kirk. For the non Hamilton people both are 14K. Always look at the so-called junk.

I wished my junk boxes were like yours! My junk boxes contain only junk.

One more from the junk box

Rich,

It is amazing what some people throw into a junk box. For those not into watches, it doesn't look like much. For those in the know.........

One man's trash..........another's treasure.

It does pay to look through the bits and pieces boxes!! Yours is a prime example!

This is the Hamilton Midas. It is still a work in progress and I have to find a crystal for it.
The dial is courtesy of Bill Hansen. I want to thank him publicly for his help to me in identifying some of the less common Hamilton’s

The back

Rich, This watch looks GREAT. It is funny how we call "rose gold" or "rose gold-filled" pink. Hamilton says Coral. In any language, this is very beautiful.

(Note to self: Black bands...white great...don't always "Rule". Look how fantastic that band looks)

As it came out of the junk box

Gosh, I wish I cleaned up this well?!

Bill,
My wife wishes I cleaned up like the watches do.

Rick..super Clinton!!!

Jeff Hess

....the 'Midas' is/has been on my list of Ham ww favourites...yours looks great Rich...will you be listing it eventually at our or Ebay auction or is it designated to go into the personal collection?..