HAMILTON 12-Size 45mm Open Face 400 21j Gold Filled Frigidiare Sales Leader Presentation Watch 2-Star Rarity Circa 1936 w/Box

Description

REMARKS: Another gem for American pocket watch collector.  This is a two star rarity Hamilton model 400 pocket watch made in the late 1920-early 1930s.  Hamilton bought out Illinois Watch Co. around 1927-28 and adopted several Illinois watches into its own product line.  Most notably was the convertion of the 13s ‘ILLINI’ thin high grade movement into the ‘HAMILTON MODEL 400’.  It’s design is highly distinctive and due to the Illinois heritage it diverts away from Hamilton’s main 10-12s line of products.  It has the very special and the five toothed click invented by Charles DeLong.  Due to bad timing of the Great Depression not many model 400s were produced and many remained unsold as finished movements.  Eventually many were used in presentation pieces for Frigidaire employees.  This current Hamilton 400 was given as retirement gift in 1936 to a Frigidaire employee.

CONDITION REPORT: Condition-wise the watch winds and runs but we have not timed or had it serviced so we don’t offer any guarantee on timekeeping.  Most likely it will require full service if the owner wants to use it frequently.  Cosmetically it has a nice open face gold filled case with no wear through, and the movement is in clean condition except for a few rust spots.  The dial and hands have some very small bit of tarnish.  Overall it is a good example of the Hamilton 400 that is scarce to find and a great piece of horology to collect.  Diameter is 45mm.  Based on the serial number this watch was produced in 1932.  Comes with scarce Original 1930s Hamilton Blue Resin Box.