The Lexington came with a 17 Jewel Movement and retailed for $42.50. This was a civilian watch even though the Ad says ‘for military use’. This is a much finer quality and less rugid watch than those made for and issued by the military. It also uses a 980 movement rather than the 987A and F series the US military requisitioned.
After the US declared war on Japan and Germany, recruiting offices were flooded with volunteers. America didn’t have service watches for its growing numbers of enlisted men. Hamilton re-geared and began making “Endicott” models in base metal and/or steel. The military did not supply Lexington models to its soldiers.
In 1942, Hamilton ceased manufacturing consumer watches and dedicated its resources to US and British war effort. (They even made watches for the Russian war effort.) They had to make ten of thousands of watches and get them to the troops in rapid fashion.
Keep in mind, the Lexington is not a military issued watch.
Hamilton marketed this watch prior to Pearl Harbor. They ceased production in 1942. The Lexington found a home among officers (as a civilian timepiece). You will not find ORD on the back indicating actual military issue, but don’t let that confuse you. The first Hamilton Endicott models didn’t have military issued markings on their backs either. The soldiers didn’t see screw on backs and “issued” markings for months after the US began mobilizing.
Here are examples of the Military Endicott and the 1938 civilian Endicott. As you can see, the Lexington bares little resemblance to the examples below. (Note the Lexington lugs).
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| Used in WWII Watches |
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| Used in Lexington |
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