Hello Jonathan,
Thank you for sending in this Hamilton wristwatch to mearto.com for an appraisal. I shall do that for you today.
TITLE:
Gent’s, 10k gold filled, self-winding, crown set, quartz, wristwatch with date integrated with a 1/40 10k rolled gold, rice grain, Milanese style mesh bracelet, Case no. 8148, S/N 36360, made by Hamilton/Swatch Group watches, quartz movement made in Switzerland, circa 1980-1990.
{On May 16, 1974, Hamilton was sold to SSIH, which is the previous name of what is now the Swatch Group. Although part of a new group, Hamilton was still located in the U.S.}
DESCRIPTION:
Case: 33mm diameter round 10k gold filled wristwatch case with embossed gilt bezel, fluted setting crown and the gilt back cover marked, “B&A, 10k gold fill, Hamilton”. The case is water resistant to 10M (1Atm), the straight lugs have a concave metal lug attachment for the Admiral gold tone rice mesh bracelet with adjustable clasp, the logo and quality of the metal embossed on the clasp.
Dial: Round silvered white dial with applied gilt and onyx colored baton hour indices, date aperture @3, gilt/black baton hands and center sweep seconds pointer while the dial is marked, Hamilton (with electric H logo), Masterpiece above and Swiss Quartz below.
Movement: Swiss made, timed and standardized quartz movement with functions: hour, minute, second, date.
Condition: Case – Good with scratches and scuffs at the back of the case and the hooded lug covers. Dial – Excellent. Movement – Blurred photo does not allow me to evaluate this battery operated quartz movement.
HISTORY ELECTRIC POWERED WATCHES:
In January 1957, Hamilton introduced the world's first electric wristwatch, a breakthrough for the industry and the first basic change in portable timekeeping since the early 16th century. Powered by a tiny 1.5 volt battery guaranteed to run the watch for more than a year, the new watch completely eliminated the need for a mainspring. The electric current necessary to operate one 100-watt bulb for one minute could run an electric watch for 20 years. The Hamilton Electrics featured not only a revolutionary movement design, but also were known for their avant garde styling, making them among the most collectible watches today.
Also during the mid-fifties Hamilton embarked on a program of expansion and diversification. As a result, the company produced watches under three brand names – Hamilton, Vantage and Buren – in six plants in this country and abroad, manufactured sterling and plated silverware, fabricated and processed rare and exotic metals, and produced mechanical and electronic measuring devices and components. Hamilton also produced rocket fuel alloys, special metals for the Apollo program, missile timers and safety and arming devices for military applications.
Hamilton continued to produce some of the finest American watches until 1969, earning them the distinction of being the only American watch company to survive global competition will into the 20th century. They truly represent the pinnacle of American watchmaking.
Modern Hamilton Watches
If you own a modern, battery-powered quartz Hamilton Watch, you should know that it has no connection to the original Hamilton Watch Company. Watches bearing the Hamilton name can still be found today, but the brand is now owned by the Swatch Group, one of the largest Swiss watch conglomerates. Any Swatch service center can perform repairs on your modern Hamilton watch. This Masterpiece wristwatch by Hamilton Watch Company was made in the USA in the 1980s.
The Masterpiece line, made primarily for corporate logos, most were variations of existing models, but went uncatalogued. Through the years, they ranged from solid to gold filled cases and housed mechanical, electric, and electronic movements. This watch is fitted with a Swiss quartz movement and displays hour, minute, second and date. The silver colored dial is fitted with gold colored hands and line indices. Watch case, crown, strap and folding clasp are made of partially gold colored stainless steel, while the cap is of metal. The watch case has the number 8148 and is furthermore water resistant. Most of the Masterpiece line came out after Hamilton was sold the Swiss swatch group.
COMPARABLES:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hamilton-Masterpiece-Watch-E-I-DuPont-De-Nemours-amp-Co-1980-039-s-NEAR-MINT-w-BOX-/164086147756?hash=item26344beaac%3Ag%3AjywAAOSwQj9eSvmT&nma=true&si=jDOkSMrKTHJurgopQPL8cwl%252BNGA%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 (Sold on eBay sold for $65)
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/hamilton-masterpiece-quartz-wrist-watch-3141-c-efd4981bf5# (Sold in 2019 for $20)
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/vintage-hamilton-masterpiece-gold-tone-date-wrist-29-c-a504bfc8b7# (sold for $50 in 2019)
PRICING:
Since this Hamilton has nothing to do with the famous old Hamilton Watch company of Lancaster, it would not be of interest to Hamilton Collectors. However, it does have a nice clean look and is a very well cleanly designed watch. The fair market value of the watch if offered for sale today would be in the range of $50-$70, with retail prices about twice that amount. I hope you have found the information supplied of interest.
I thank you for choosing mearto.com for your appraisal.
My best,
David