Cushion B
1930–1949 · 14k Solid White Gold / 14k Solid Yellow Gold / 14k Green Gold Filled / 14k White Gold Filled / 14k Yellow Gold Filled / 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Cushion B
The Cushion B ran from 1930 through 1949, making it one of Hamilton's longer-lived cushion-case designs from that era. It's part of a small family of related cushion models that includes the original Cushion and the WWII Cushion, each sharing that distinctive squared-oval silhouette that was fashionable through the 1930s and into the war years. Depending on the year and configuration, the Cushion B was fitted with either a 17-jewel caliber 987F, a 17-jewel caliber 987A, or a 19-jewel caliber 979F, all manual wind movements. Case options were generous, ranging from solid 14K gold in yellow, white, or green to Gold Filled versions in the same color trio, plus a 10K yellow Gold Filled option for buyers watching their budget.
Silver dials on watches from this period are prone to aging in ways that range from light patina to significant spotting or loss, so condition varies considerably from example to example. One thing worth knowing: Hamilton offered the Cushion B with an aviation dial at no extra charge, so finding one with that variant is possible and worth confirming against what a seller is claiming. The numerals are luminous painted black with lume-filled characters, and the lume itself will have aged to some shade of cream or tan by now, which is completely normal and part of the appeal.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1931 catalog listed the Cushion B at $50.00 in 14K gold-filled yellow or white gold, with the aviation dial offered as a no-cost option for buyers who wanted it. That price put it within reach of a broad range of customers without positioning it as an entry-level piece.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1931
1932
1933
1934
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the silver dial for spotting, flaking, or separation around the numeral areas. The luminous material on the numerals ages naturally to cream or tan, but any crumbling or significant loss affects value. Confirm whether the dial is a standard configuration or the aviation variant, since both are correct for this model. |
| Crystal | These cases are prone to wearing through at the top and bottom of the crystal, and on 10K gold-filled examples that wear is often more pronounced. Check those areas carefully before buying, and factor in whether the crystal seats properly or shows signs of past replacement with an ill-fitting piece. |
| Movement | Three different calibers were used across the Cushion B's run. Whichever is present, look for even ticking and a crown that winds smoothly without slipping. The hairspring on these movements is particularly vulnerable to damage during balance adjustment, so a watch that has been poorly serviced in the past may run inconsistently or not at all. |
| Case | Gold-filled cases, especially the 10K version, are prone to wear-through at the top and bottom of the crystal and on the corners near where the tubes join the case. Inspect those spots in good light. Solid 14K examples are more durable but should still be checked for dents or reshaping around the lugs. |
| Crown | Make sure the crown is original or at least period-correct in size and profile. An oversized or undersized replacement crown is a small detail that affects the overall look more than you'd expect on a case this size. |
The Movement
The Cushion B was fitted with one of three Hamilton movements depending on production year: the 17-jewel caliber 987F, the 17-jewel caliber 987A, or the 19-jewel caliber 979F. All three are manual wind movements built to Hamilton's American standards, meaning well-finished, serviceable, and reliable when properly maintained. The 979F's higher jewel count reflects a more refined specification, but all three are capable everyday movements by any reasonable measure.