DESCRIPTION:
APW - Hamilton, Grade 3992B, 22J, World War II era Navigation Master Watch made for British military use, 16S, chrome-plated base metal OF case with Ministry of Defence (English spelling) pheon (broad arrow) to rear as well as Hydrographic Services (HS3) contract markings which have been lightly overscored, previous light numerical marking evident at center covered by current marking, white enamel dial with pheon and Hamilton marking, SW-hack-set with sweep-seconds, fully capped lever escapement, mono-metallic balance with Elinvar hairspring, mvt marked "U.S. Navy Bu. Ships" as well as with British pheon, striped pattern nickel damascene, mvt s#3C166. Watch comes with a fitted wooden box with internal Ministry of Defence signature plaque and 1971 dated Hydrographic Department card. From the well-known Hamilton collection of Robert Bennett of Olivehurst, California.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, good hacking function, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, some scattered fine to micro-fine scratches; virtually flawless dial with a minuscule as-made finish imperfection of a pinpoint pit in the glaze adjacent the 32 minute hash mark; nearly mint hands; case rear with s#570288 and case band with s#0570289 which we believe may be more likely an error of original assembly as the discrepancy is of only one number from the final digit and as the case rear markings align close to vertically, handscratched Roman numeral number inside bezel appears to be 349 which is likely indicative of its change during the lifetime of the watch, case shows very little wear to its rear but has near complete chrome loss to band likely caused by polishing, areas of chrome loss to bezel, no dents or dings, excellent contract marking detail to rear and circular finish of rear remains present; bow pivots freely and has some chrome loss, crown shows very little wear and crown tilts somewhat to side as it is turned; clean plastic crystal. Box in excellent condition overall; interior plaque with 3C166 serial number marking appears likely to have been created in more modern times.
ESTIMATE:
$800
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$1400
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