I am curious as to how much having the original cardboard box adds to the value of a Hamilton Model 22, 35s chronometer?

This one is mint - hasn't seen much daylight. My Grandfather bought it at a military surplus store for $30 some time ago.

Pic of outer box:

Front of Chronometer:

Inner wooden box

Movement

Details of Engraving

Case inside

Case Back

Closeup of Serial Number, 2F23802.

To quote an article I found in the November 1979 Horological Times:

"When the clouds of World War II were forming on the horizon and we were rapidly expanding the size of our Navy, the need for navigating watches was just as great as the need for ships' chronometers. Again, Hamilton rose to the occasion and, as in the case of their masterpiece, the Ship's Chronometer, designed and mass-produced a navigating watch (model 22) whose performance was unsurpassed.

This 35 size, high-quality, 21-jeweled movement is an instrument of great beauty, precision, and endurance. Anyone owning on of these fine timepieces has every reason to be proud of this possession."

I certainly am.

I also found an interesting history lesson on the development of the Model 22 from William O. Bennett who was on the development team.

Reference the Bulletin, June 2005 issue, "The Hamilton Marine Chronometer"

John, That is the first card board box that I have ever seen. If it matches the chronometer, it would bring a premium, I'm sure. Your watch is unusual in that the Model 22 was discontinued early on by the Navy in favor of the gimbaled version of the 22. A total of 9,815 were purchased by the Navy, and soon recalled for disposal with a few being transfered to the Army. Yours is an Army-Airforce version where only 420 were made. So, with the original box you are in uncharted territory in regards to value.

Hello John,

Excellent images and research.

Value:
It seems I’m often behind the times regarding value. However, I may be able to offer a few general observations:

Research = $. When a timepiece is as well researched as yours is, it not only satisfies the curiosity of the owner, but also enhances monetary value. When offered on the auction block, I have noticed that well researched items tend to increase the excitement of bidders.

Packaging = $
The outer packaging is a major plus. I have not seen one of these for sale, so no idea of how much extra. However, if you check the price guides for similar high grade watches, the original boxes and cartons always add considerably to the estimated value listed.

A great post. you and Matt have increased my knowledge of these fine timepieces.

Best regards,

Greg

Super watch! I've never seen a nicer one which would should be a plus - such a perfect condition is not normally found.

On the minus side is that it does not appear to have been actually used in the war and may be post-war with those serial and purchase order numbers of AF-45 which suggest it was either at the very end of the war or a year or two afterwards. Many (but certainly not all) military timepiece collectors like to imagine the watch or clock having been used for the purpose for which it was built - a bomber pilot checking the panel clock as he was making his bombing run, the artillery officer clicking his stopwatch timing the barrage, the crew of submarine staring at the bulkhead clock as they wondered how much longer they had to stay submerged and silent to avoid the destroyers passing overhead, etc.

Still, I would think the plusses outweigh this minus and that it would go for more than most watches of this kind - especially to the cross-over collectors who are real Hamilton connoisseurs.

Thanks gentlemen for all of this information on this and the other military watches. Like Lindell, I am learning something everyday.

I agree that this one doesn't have the mystique of helping the Allies win the Big One, but the box and the condition make it special nonetheless.

I almost sold this watch for $1200 a few months ago, but the buyer wanted a gimbled version. Whew! I think I'll keep it a while longer.

Picture the watch being used in post war flight operations such as the massive humanitarian effort of the Berlin airlift as the Marshall plan was evolving...the U.S. Army-Airforce (A.A.F.)was was ready to split into two seprate services in 1947...jets were arriving on the scene.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Air_Force