Hamilton Electric Wear Test PROTOTYPE Watch
Here's your chance to own a Prototype Hamilton 500 watch issued to Hamilton employees for tests to be returned for analysis. Pictured on pages 39-41 of René Rondeau’s Book, “The Watch Of The Future.” It used a different indexing mechanism that was prone to failure and had 17 Jewels (five more than the final production model). Employees were given strict instructions not to open the watch, as evidenced by the engraving on the case back. The dials were marked "Hamilton" only, with no "Electric" or "Pat. Pending" as evidenced by this example. The inside of the case backs were marked "Electric" as this model, so it is correct in all ways.
About 43% of the watches failed within the first month, and the indexing system was re-designed, so these are very rare pieces of Hamilton Electric History. This model does not run, although the balance is active when a battery is installed. The index mechanism does not advance the hands consistently, which was the major problem of this design. It is therefore sold as a non-running watch.
BRAND: Hamilton Electric Prototype
GENDER: Mens
CASE: 10K Gold Filled
CASE BACK: Marked Hamilton, 10K Gold Filled, S&W, Do Not Open, Hamilton, Property Of The Hamilton Watch Company and inside marked Electric, Hamilton W. Co., Lancaster, PA, 10K Gold Filled, S771275, S&W
BAND/BRACELET: Hamilton Marked Strap & Hamilton Gold Filled Buckle
MOVEMENT: Prototype Movement, marked Hamilton 500, 17 Jewels, ADJ., U.S.A., and serial number 349L
SIZE: 35mm without crown | 45mm lug to lug
CROWN: Excellent, gold tone
CONDITION: Excellent
CRYSTAL: Excellent, with no cracks
CASE: Excellent, with sharp edges
DIAL: Excellent, Silver, Original, marked Hamilton only (prototype dials did not say electric or Pat. Pending below the 6 position)
HANDS: Gold Dauphine hour and minute hands, and gold seconds hand, all correct for this watch
BAND: Probably original to the watch
Guaranteed to arrive as described, or money back upon return, or return for any reason within 7 days for a full refund. I am a NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors) member and stand behind what I sell.
