During World War II, Hamilton produced numerous models for the military from 1941 to 1946. The 987A was similar to the earlier 987 models including the “F” amd “E” series.
But the “A” movement had an Elivar Extra hairspring. The “A” was a different design, and only a few parts were interchangeable with the earlier models. Hamilton produced approximately 490,000 model 987A’s for the US Army, Navy and the UK Air force. The “A” had a second hand in the six o’clock position.
Hamilton began producing a watch with a center or sweep second hand. The was similar to a civilian watch released in 1940 known as the Secometer or the sentinel. That model carries the designation of a 987S. The Hamilton models with a sweep second hand (another military watch) were produced from 1940 to 1948. The 987A and 987S were fitted with Elinvar Extra hairsprings when they became available.
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| 987A Movement |
Hamilton also produced a 2987 version of the movement for military use. It’s quite different from the civilian model and has 18 jewels instead of the 17 jewel 987 movements. It was made for the Marine Corps between 1943-1945 in small numbers with approximately 3000 produced. Like the 987S, it had a sweep second and a hack setting soldiers could use to synchronize time.
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| Marine Reference Watch For synchronization |
The 2987 models are the most collectible of the watches produced by Hamilton in the 6/0 series. First, it had an extra jewel, it had a hack feature (mentioned above) that allowed for synchronization between members of the same unit and the sweep second hand.
What’s a watch like this worth? Lots of money. In mint condition without restoration (no re-painted dial), you should expect to pay upwards of $2000.
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