#248 • Hamilton, Grade 4992B, low s#4C912, US Army Air Corps marked mvt

Part of 260528 - "Spring Featured Auction" Horology, Jewelry & Coins - May 7-28 (live auction by Jones & Horan Auctions)

High bid $750.00

Status: Sold

APW - Hamilton, Grade 4992B with "U.S. Army Air Corps" marked mvt, WWII era military "Master Navigation Watch," 22J, 16S, chrome-plated base metal OF original case with contract markings to rear, black metal GCT (Greenwich Civil Time) 24 hour dial, SW-hack-set with sweep-seconds, fully capped lever escapement, mono-metallic balance with Elinvar hairspring, striped pattern nickel damascene, s#4C912. An early example with serial number in the three-digit range of its series, this example is listed in the Hamilton ledger as having been sold March 3rd, 1942. The "U.S. Army Air Corps" marking is uncommon among Grade 4992B production and is found only among a portion of the very early end of production. We believe total production with the "U.S. Army Air Corps" movement marking is likely somewhere between 2000 and 3000 made as we have observed it only among serial numbers in the 4C3000s and under, and as a number of watches from the earlier portion of this serial number range were marked "Bu. Aero U.S. Navy" instead of "U.S. Army Air Corps." CONDITION: Mvt: Running, good hacking function, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright plates, few short fine scratches to balance cock, some scattered micro-fine scratches, patch of oxide to smaller winding wheel and small spots to regulator assembly, few tiny spots elsewhere to steelwork, case screws are mismatched; excellent-plus dial with mild contact mark left of GCT; nearly mint hands; case shows medium wear, scratches to rear, many pinpoint nicks throughout band, contract markings remains fully legible, loss of chrome finish to center rear; tight bow, crown shows very light wear; plastic crystal with few small abrasions and short fine scratches. Estimate: $500 - $700 JH-78516