American Express featured this watch in its 1988 Platinum Club Christmas catalog as a Limited Edition. (I bought four). They called it a Tuxedo. Hamilton produced the offering as a reissue of the 1938 Wilshire with a black dial, raised numerals, original hands, including the second hand in the 6 o’clock position.
This Hamilton timepiece came from an estate and appears rarely worn. For example, the crystal has no flaws and the gold plating remains flat against the underlying metal. I added a new Hamilton leather band.
According to Hamilton, new tools had to be made to re-create the original hands. The original leather straps came from Canada. Only five original retro Hamilton models have gold backs and the ETA 580.001 (Omega & Tissot) movement.
The resulting reissued watch represents a classic, indistinguishable in appearance and performs better than the original according to Don Sauers.
Hans Scholl (from Omega) managed Hamilton’s original retro watch initiative. He commissioned Schwab & Wuischpard to produce the cases to the original specifications. After leaving the project, Hamilton switched to a different movement and cases with stainless steel backs instead of gold.
Specs:
Brand: Hamilton Limited Edition
Band Color: Silver
Band Material: Leather
Case: 24mm x 20 mm and 50 mm lug to lug (hinged).
Case Material: 18K Gold Electroplate
Clasp: Buckle
Crystal: Mineral
Watch Movement: ETA 580.001 Quartz
Water Resistance: 3 ATM
Lug Width: 16mm
Country of Origin: Assembled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
About Gold Plating:
In plating, the thickness determines how long a piece will retain its shine. 20 microns are excellent and used on watch cases equivalent to antique gold filled watches with a 20-year wear guarantee. High-end watches use 20 to 40 microns. Gold plating requires a base metal coating to adhere appropriately.
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