EXCEPTIONAL ANTIQUE MANS HAMILTON HASTINGS WATCH

The Hamilton Watch Company opened in December of 1892, they spent over a year tooling up without producing a watch. In March of 1894 they started production of their famous and reliable railroad watches.

In 1908, they started making ladies pendant watches which were smaller than the large pocket watches produced. Ladies wristwatches were introduced after World War 1. They were a re-styling of the pendant watches, and had cloth or ribbon straps.


Men's wristwatches were considered effeminate prior to the 1920's. Hamilton introduced their first men's "strap watch" on November 11, 1922. They had to not only market the watch, but they had to market the "idea" of a strap or wrist watch. Finally, their use in hot summers when wastecoats were not worn, the association with the war, explorers, and rugged outdoor activities all helped the wristwatch gain acceptance. Hamilton was out in front selling the idea, and aimed much of their promotional materials at merchants on how to sell the "idea."

In the late twenties, they introduced some stylish watches like the "Cushion," "Square," and the "Tonneau." Their art deco designs of the 1930's were accompanied with the practice of naming all of the watches. Many people think the 1930's designs were the golden age of Hamilton's design and production.

World War II saw the halt of consumer production to concentrate on military watches. Following the war, they sold pre-war designs. Hamilton had introduced new designs in the early 1950's. By the mid 50's, their styling failed to capture the American publics attention.

In 1957, they introduced the world's first electric watch, The Ventura with a radical asymmetric design to accompany the radical technology, it became Hamilton's best ever selling gold watch. Many think that the superb manual movements of the 1920's through the 1950's, and the innovative electric watch, made Hamilton the most influential watch company of the century.

This watch is the square model referred to in the above caption called Hastings. Highly sought after by watch collectors especially Hamilton collectors. It has a Wadsworth 14Kt white gold filled 3 piece casing, measuring 30mms across by 28mms in length excluding
lugs and crown. You will see in the images that on the inside of the back cover  is the number  0527839 and in the corner on the main casing are the numbers 7839 this confirms that the back and the casing are matched. The 17 jewels Hamilton made 987-F quality movement highly regarded as one of the best especially for that time period. Has been serviced and keeps good time. Nothing has been altered or replaced only a new black leather lizard grain strap fitted.   The hands may have been replaced at some stage in its life but they certainly are the hands that this model came out with.  As watches like this are very scarce and certainly increasing in value. I am going to start it at a modest R2000 and let you bidders decide who wants it most.  You do not have to take my word for it , just try and find another one like it. This history  is so that those who are not aware, will understand the importance of this watch. 

. Vintage 1929 ad

NB. Serious bidders only and I reserve the right to withdraw this watch while no bids are struck.

UPDATE. 1/3/2011  With thanks to a watch collector contact who has done further research on this watch and informed  me that this is a model named Hastings manufactured in 1929 and that the  serial,case and movement  numbers  all match and are correct. I have also managed to find an ad of this watch.