Bagley
1939–1942 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Bagley
Made from 1939 through 1942, the Bagley is a small, square-cased manual wind dress watch built around Hamilton's caliber 987A. The 10K yellow Gold Filled carré case pairs with a carré dial available in two versions: applied gold numerals on a silver two-tone ground, or a two-tone black enamel numeral dial. Hamilton offered numerals at all positions except 6 o'clock, with a subseconds register at the bottom of the dial. The Bagley belongs to a group of similarly proportioned rectangular dress watches from this era that includes the Dodson, Sutton, and Bowman.
Surviving examples in honest condition aren't especially common, partly because the 10K Gold Filled case is prone to wear-through at the crystal edges and at the corners where the tube lugs meet the case body. The two-tone enamel dial variant tends to show its age differently than the applied gold numeral version, with enamel checking or color shift that ranges from charming to problematic depending on how the watch was stored. Either dial configuration is worth a close look before buying.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1939 catalog listed the Bagley at $40.00 with the applied gold numeral dial and $37.50 with the two-tone black enamel numeral dial, positioning it as a mid-range dress option in the lineup.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1940
1941
What to Look For
| Dial | Check the applied gold numerals carefully for separation or missing pieces on the AGN version. On the two-tone enamel dial, look for checking, crazing, or color inconsistency across the field. Any restoration work on enamel dials tends to be obvious under magnification. |
| Crystal | The carré case shape means crystals can be hard to source. Confirm the existing crystal fits flush and without gaps. Deep chips at the corners are common and worth negotiating on. |
| Movement | The caliber 987A is a dependable movement but dried lubricants can create enough friction to stop it entirely. Ask whether the watch has been serviced recently, and if it's running, check for consistency across the day rather than just a quick wind-and-set test. |
| Case | The 10K gold-filled case is particularly vulnerable to wear-through at the top and bottom edges of the crystal and at the corners near the lug tubes. Examine these spots in good light. Light wear is expected on an 80-year-old watch, but exposed base metal will continue to wear faster. |
| Crown | Check that the crown winds and sets smoothly without slipping. A correct-period crown matters on a watch this size since replacements often look slightly off in proportion or finish. |
The Movement
The caliber 987A is a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used across a range of dress watches during the late 1930s and early 1940s. It's a compact, well-regarded lever-set design that winds and hacks in a straightforward way, easy to service when parts are needed. Not a complicated movement, but well-made for its purpose and historically reliable when properly lubricated.