Hamilton

Hamilton – Top-Hat Tank Sertie 14kt. White Gold Special Order 1940`s Watch – Diamond Soirée Dial – Cal. 770

The Hamilton “Top Hat” and the Jeweler’s Contract Tradition The Hamilton Watch Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, produced wristwatches from 1917 until the closure of the Lancaster factory in 1969. Alongside its standard catalogue models, Hamilton supplied movements to independent American jewellers who commissioned their own custom cases — a system known in the trade as “jeweler’s contract” or “jobber” cases. These watches were not listed in Hamilton’s catalogues. The cases were designed and manufactured by third-party goldsmiths or by the jewellers themselves, typically 14kt solid gold, or platinum, to a specification that often exceeded the standard Hamilton production. Hamilton supplied the movement, the dial was either standard Hamilton or custom-ordered with applied gold or diamond indices, and the finished watch was sold under the Hamilton name through the commissioning jeweller’s shop. The “Top Hat” designation refers to a specific rectangular tank case geometry with stepped, hooded lugs — a design that echoes the Patek Philippe Top Hat ref. 1450, though this watch is in slightly bigger. These jeweler’s contract Hamiltons are not catalogued and were produced in small quantities; each is effectively a unique or near-unique configuration. This Hamilton in 14kt white gold is in excellent condition with only slight traces of use. The rectangular case measures 22 mm (excluding the crown) × 38 mm (lug to lug). The stepped, hooded lugs and flat profile are typical of the “Top Hat” tank design. The case is in excellent condition and it shows only very light traces of use. The vertical satin-finished silvered dial is in excellent condition. It is set with diamond indices at each hour position (serti diamonds), with a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o’clock. The hands are original. The movement is the Hamilton Calibre 770, a 22-jewel manual-wind movement manufactured at Hamilton’s Lancaster factory. Introduced in 1955, the Cal. 770 is regarded as one of the the best watch movement produced by Hamilton — the culmination of over fifty years of American movement development. It is shock-resistant, it has an anti-magnetic Dynavar mainspring, and full adjustment. Production continued until the closure of the Lancaster factory in 1969. The movement has been serviced and is in good working order. The watch is fitted with a croco strap. This watch has been serviced in-house and is in good working order. It is delivered with our six-month guarantee and our originality certificate.