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| Arnold |
One has to ask themselves how a 1957 Hamilton watch could bring in $360 at auction. In fact, how do you explain how a “plentiful” Hamilton watch with no special features and an average Swiss movement could bring that kind of money on eBay?
On January 19, 2009 – I wrote a short description of an Arnold I sold for $125. Here’s the description:
An early version of what became Hamilton’s Thin-O-Matic Masterpiece line. It is called an “Arnold”. It has a gold bezel and stainless steel back, a unique satin and gold dial and the second hand at the six o’clock position. This watch pre-dates the 1957 redesign of all Hamilton watches with the signed crown and the well-known “H” on the dial. It’s an example of mid-century styling and fits in the high-end design category when Hamilton was still in its heyday. It has a Star Watch Company Case designed by Hamilton and one of the early Hamilton/Bruen 17 Jewel 673 movements. The dial is unusual with its gold accent around the dial.
If you look around for pre-1952 Hamilton watches with a 980, 982, 982M or 987 movement, you will not find much. Those watches are shopped out. The popular watches of the 1937-48 period are all, but gone. What’s left? A lot of Martins, Dodsons and Normans and a few Boultons.
On the same night, a solid gold 1926 Cushion sold for $227.50. It had 47 bids compared to 40 bids for the Arnold. The bidders of the Arnold were individually higher dollar amounts.
The migration toward 1950-1969 Hamilton watches is in full swing. They’re plentiful, few people wanted them three years ago. I see discussions about 770 22 Jewel movements that remind me of posts on watch forums that touted 987 caliber watches in 2009. People can still find parts for the 770 movement and it’s an easy watch on which to work.
These are the times in which we live.
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