Hamilton Ultra-Rare 14k Gold Liberty Coin Wristwatch, circa 1969. ...

Description

Hamilton Ultra-Rare 14k Gold Liberty Coin Wristwatch, circa 1969
Case: 14k gold, two body, 34 mm, reeded rim, straight down turned lugs
Dial: embossed Liberty coin form, star hour markers, black baton hands
Movement: grade 770, 22 jewels, adjusted
Band: leather, plated buckle

"...HAMILTON "COIN WATCH". This is one of the most unusual as well as one of the most historic of Hamilton watches. It was produced in 1969 just after all production of movements was shut down at Hamilton's Lancaster, PA factory in January 1969. Hamilton used the last remaining stocks of the superlative grade 770 movement with 22 jewels to complete this very interesting and rare watch. It was never cataloged and very few were made. It was produced in both rolled gold-plate, as this example, and in 14K solid gold. According to Paul Frankenfeld, a production manager at Hamilton at the time, only 50-75 were made in RGP, and 10-15 in 14K gold. However, based on my own experience, I believe these figures are too low. I think there were probably 150-250 in rolled gold-plate and 50-100 in gold, based on surviving examples. That still puts this watch among the very rarest of all Hamiltons ever made. The style is obviously copied after the Corum gold coin watches that were popular at the time. The dial is embossed to resemble a gold coin, and the edge of the case is reeded like a coin. It is very much a watch of its time -- a bit garish but certainly an eye-grabber! As a collectable it is one of the most sought-after of all Hamiltons because of its extreme rarity. This example is extra nice, with excellent rolled gold-plate case with no wear, and perfect original dial..." (quoted from rondeau.net).


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