Allison
1938–1940 · 14k Solid White Gold / 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Allison
The Allison was produced from 1938 through 1940 and carries one of the more distinctive dial features Hamilton introduced in that era: a spherical, or domed, dial surface with applied 18K gold numerals. The caliber 982 manual wind movement, rated at 19 jewels, powers the watch. Hamilton offered it exclusively in 14K yellow gold at introduction, though examples in 14K white gold also exist. Numerals appear at all positions except 6 o'clock, where a sunken round subseconds register takes their place.
Silver dials with solid 18K numerals show up on some examples, and that variant is worth knowing about before you go looking. The spherical dial surface is easy to damage and hard to restore convincingly, so condition there matters more than almost anything else on this model. A clean, unrestored dial on an Allison is the thing to hold out for.
From the Catalog
Hamilton introduced the Allison in 1938 by calling out the spherical dial as an exclusively Hamilton feature, pairing it with 18K applied gold numerals and a 19-jewel movement. The original retail price was $90, and it was offered in 14K natural yellow gold only at launch.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1938
1939
1940
What to Look For
| Dial | The domed dial surface is fragile and prone to scratching or flaking. Look closely for hairlines, chips at the numeral bases, and any signs of amateur refinishing, which tends to flatten the dome and lose the sunken character of the subseconds register. Original applied 18K gold numerals should have crisp edges and consistent color. |
| Crystal | The spherical dial requires a correctly fitted domed crystal. A flat replacement will sit above the case rim or press unevenly on the dial. Confirm the crystal profile matches the dial contour before assuming it's correct. |
| Movement | The caliber 982 is a capable movement but sensitive to dried lubricants. A watch that runs inconsistently or stops under light positional changes is often just overdue for a full service. The escape wheel jewel on this caliber is also known to come loose, so a watchmaker should check that during any service. |
| Case | Gold cases of this era are vulnerable to wear at the lugs and case back edges. Check for solder repairs, deep scratches, or significant thinning from polishing. |
| Crown | Confirm the crown is correct for the period and threads or seats properly. A replacement crown that doesn't match the original profile is a small but visible detail on a dress watch like this one. |
The Movement
The caliber 982 is a 19-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used across a range of its higher-grade dress watches in the late 1930s and into the 1940s. It winds and sets smoothly when properly serviced, and its beat rate keeps good time in a well-maintained example. One detail specific to the Allison: the domed dial requires a longer cannon pinion to position the hands correctly above the curved surface, so any watchmaker working on one should know that going in.