Elliott (1937)
1937–1939 · 14K yellow,14K yellow GF · Manual Wind
About the Elliott (1937)
Made from 1937 through 1939, the Elliott is a small rectangular dress watch running Hamilton's caliber 980 manual wind movement. The Elliott was offered in a 14K yellow gold-filled case in natural yellow only, with two dial options available at purchase: the standard inlaid black numeral dial and an applied gold numeral version at a slight premium. Numerals appear at all positions except 6 o'clock, where a subseconds register takes their place.
Surviving examples can show up with either dial configuration, and knowing which you're looking at matters for originality assessment. The applied gold numeral dials carry a different character than the inlaid black version, so confirming what Hamilton actually shipped versus what may have been redone over the decades is worth the effort on a watch this age.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Elliott in natural yellow gold-fill only, with the standard inlaid black numeral dial priced at $50.00 and the applied gold numeral dial version at $52.20. The modest price difference between the two dial options made the upgraded look an accessible choice for buyers at the time.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1937
1938
1939
What to Look For
| Dial | Confirm whether you have the inlaid black numeral dial or the applied gold numeral dial, as both were offered originally. Look for hairlines, spotting, or refinishing, any of which significantly affects value. The numeral construction should be crisp and consistent with age. |
| Crystal | Check for correct crystal fit on the rectangular case. A poorly fitting replacement can sit unevenly and may indicate the wrong part was used in a past repair. |
| Movement | The caliber 980 mainspring has a strong tendency to weaken or set with age, and a tired mainspring will show as poor power reserve or inconsistent amplitude. Also inspect the escape wheel jewels, as they are known to loosen and fall out on this caliber. Budget for a full service regardless of how the watch presents. |
| Case | The 14K yellow gold-filled case should show consistent warm tone across all surfaces. Check for wear-through at high-contact points like the lugs and caseback edges, where the base metal can show through on heavily worn examples. The caseback can be stubborn to open, so look for evidence of prying damage around the seam. |
| Crown | Make sure the crown is period-appropriate and engages cleanly in both winding and hand-setting positions. Replacement crowns are common on watches this age, and an incorrect size or profile can affect both function and appearance. |
The Movement
The caliber 980 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton produced for its dress watch lines during this period. It is a relatively compact movement built to fit the slimmer rectangular cases popular in the late 1930s. Reliable when properly serviced, but the mainspring and escape wheel jewels are the points most likely to need attention on any example that has gone years without a watchmaker's hands on it.