Dodson (1938)
1938–1948 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Dodson (1938)
The Dodson ran from 1938 through 1948, giving it one of the longer production runs among Hamilton's pre-war and wartime dress watches. No caliber data is on file for this reference entry, so movement specifics are omitted here rather than guessed at. What the Dodson represents is a fairly typical Hamilton proposition of that era: a clean, dressy rectangular or shaped case intended for the American market at a time when Hamilton was producing some of its most refined domestic movements. Its decade-long run suggests it sold consistently enough to justify keeping it in the catalog through the difficult wartime years.
Finding a Dodson in honest condition after more than 80 years takes some patience. Case wear on the lugs and any gold-filled surfaces is the first thing to assess, since heavy polishing over the decades can soften the lines considerably. The dial is the other critical factor, as original dials from this period are fragile and difficult to replace without compromising the watch's integrity.
From the Catalog
Hamilton offered no official catalog descriptions or original retail prices in the available records for the Dodson. The model ran from 1938 through 1948, a span that included the disruptions of wartime production, which likely accounts for gaps in surviving catalog documentation. What is known is that the watch is cased in 10K yellow gold filled, positioning it as an accessible dress option within Hamilton's lineup of the period, where gold filled cases were common at price points below solid gold. Collectors researching the Dodson should treat surviving examples and period advertisements as the most reliable guides to original presentation and pricing.
Hamilton Catalog Images
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely for hairline cracks, lifting lacquer, and any signs of moisture damage or refinishing. Original dials from this era are not replaceable without significant compromise, so condition matters more here than almost anywhere else on the watch. |
| Crystal | Most watches of this age will have had the crystal replaced at some point. Verify that whatever is fitted sits flush and is free of deep scratches that distort the dial view. |
| Movement | A watch this age has almost certainly gone decades between services, if it has been serviced at all. Dried oil creates enough friction to stop a movement entirely, even one that appears to tick normally. Budget for a full service regardless of how it runs. |
| Case | Check the lugs and case edges for signs of heavy polishing, which rounds the lines and reduces collector value. On gold-filled cases, inspect the lug tops and case sides for wear-through to the base metal. |
| Crown | Original crowns on watches this age are often replaced with whatever was handy at the time. Check that the crown fits the stem properly, winds smoothly without slipping, and is period-appropriate in size and style. |
The Movement
The caliber 987A is a 17-jewel manual wind movement in the 6/0 size, measuring approximately 25.4mm in plate diameter and 24.8mm in movement diameter, with a height of 4.15mm. It represents a bridge redesign from the earlier caliber 987, with Hamilton reworking the bridge layout to refine the movement's construction and serviceability. Running at 18,000 alternations per hour, it offers a power reserve of approximately 38 hours from a full wind. Like all manual wind movements, it requires regular winding at the crown to maintain running. The 987A is a compact and capable caliber, well suited to the slim dress watch cases Hamilton favored during this period. Parts availability is reasonable given the number produced, and a watchmaker familiar with Hamilton's 6/0 size movements will find it straightforward to service.