Anyone have the production figures for the yellow gold filled Lee with the 979-F movement? Between Rene's book and Will Roseman's website, I'm coming up with 672.

How about the white gold fill with the 979?

Hamilton's production logs don't differentiate between the 979 and 979-F, which were essentially the same except that the 979-F had friction-fit jewels (hence the "F") rather than screw-mounted jewel chatons.

The records summarizing the 979 state "A new type of jeweling - semi-friction - was started with serial number 2911501 and the grade number was changed to #979F." This was in 1929, and the "Lee" was first released in 1933, so it is safe to assume that none were 979.

Production records show the following for yellow gold-filled "Lee" with 979-F:

1934: 539 (14K filled)
1934: 174 (10K filled)
1935: 3 (14K filled)
1935: 50 (10K filled)

They also show production with 987 movements, as follows:

1933: 2131 (10K filled)
1934: 70 (14K filled)
1934: 371 (10K filled)
1935: 60 (14K filled)
1935: 9 (10K filled)

Production records show the following for white gold-filled "Lee" with 979-F:

1934: 261
1935: 1

With 987 movement:

1934: 17
1935: 3
1941: 2

There is some danger in assuming any watch to be completely original since it's a simple matter to swap a 987 for a 979F or vice-versa.

Note also that the records were compiled well after the fact, and the data is scattered over hundreds of pages making it very confusing to sort out. It's realistic to believe that they are probably not 100% accurate, but they're all we have today.

thanks for posting that watch thomas. i was keeping an eye on it and was very surprised at the price it went for. i realize it has a few condition issues, but i wonder why it didn't sell for more? any thoughts?

Brad,

Compared to most other Hamilton offerings in the 1930's, it is not an attractive watch. Also, the dial is not correct, but most people wouldn't know that. The main reason I took a flyer on it was the fact that I acquired the white gold version a few weeks ago and it would be nice to have both, as they are scarce (especially in white with only 284 produced).

well, for what it's worth, i think it's a great pick-up. congrats.