It’s doubtful many of these watches exist and they are highly collectible.
Hamilton released this watch in 1940, produced it for two years and then suspended production due to the First War Powers Act. That’s usual since FDR placed the country under the War Powers Act and forbid Hamilton to make consumer products.
The original Sentinel featured an enamel dial with roman numerals and blued hands.
Hamilton placed ads for it’s first watch with a sweep second hand in several magazines before the war. To show the company’s commitment to the war effort a different ad began to appear such as the one below.
Subsequent to the Sentinel’s advertised release, Hamilton used the 987S movement in their Navy and Marine Corps R88-39108 watches with sweep second hands that stopped and reset at the 12 o’clock position when the owner pulled the crown into the setting position (known as a hack feature). The Company made 22,410 units for the Navy and 15,888 for the Marine Corps with the 18 jewel, 987S movement. Few Sentinel watches remain after their introduction 80 years ago.
Hamilton’s internal design department collaborated with Wadsworth and the independent design firm of DiVincenzo & Arienti of New York to create a line of watches to appeal to moderately affluent buyers during the depression.
Franklin Roosevelt assured the nation that the economy had emerged from the depression and as a result many manufacturers began hiring and creating inventory. In 1937, the country fell back into a major recession. Instead of offering moderately priced watches with 14/0 size, 19 jewel 982 movements, the company switched to different cases and 17 jewel 987A movements. The Sentinel emerged as the first Hamilton watch with a sweep second hand. Prior, the company only offered watches with the second hand in the six o’clock position.
Hamilton made technically superior watches to domestic and international competitors with Elinvar balances. The alloy allows the watch to keep accurate time regardless of fluctuations in temperature and, or altitude. In addition, Hamilton equipped the 987A and S with materials that allowed watchmakers to adjust them to chronometer status.
The restorer of this watch refurbished the movement to its original condition replacing 1) a complete balance with an Elinvar Extra hairspring and 2) a new Dynavar original Hamilton (alloy) mainspring unavailable before 1948. He adjusted all the jewels, used fresh synthetic oil, checked all pivots, plates and screws. If he found anything needing replacement, he replaced it.
Summary of this model:
Hamilton gold filled men’s wristwatch
Hamilton 10K Case for 987S – Case Number SS553742
Crystal: Mineral Shatter proof, scratch resistant
Hamilton 987S 18 Jewel hand wound movement completely reworked
Soft leather band
Brand: Hamilton Case: 31mm
Clasp: Buckle
Water Resistance: Not water resistant
Lug Width: 16 mm
Country of Origin: USA
Watch industry insiders and critics consider Hamilton’s Art Deco watches from the 1930’s as the finest wind-up mechanical watches ever made. The 987A & S movement originated in the 1930’s. It has precious medal plates, real jewels, no wear on the pivots and the alloy materials allows it to keep time regardless of altitude or temperature.
After the war, Hamilton released the watch with an applied gold numeral dial without a second hand. The post-war model, called a Secometer, did not have a roman numeral dial but used the same case and the 987S movement.
