Endicott
1938–1948 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold / 14k Coral Gold Filled / 10k Coral Gold Filled / 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Endicott
The Endicott ran from 1938 through 1948, giving it one of the longer production windows among Hamilton's round-cased dress watches of that era. It's powered by the caliber 987A, a 17-jewel manual wind movement, and came in a 28.575mm round case offered in 14K yellow gold, 14K coral gold, 10K yellow Gold Filled, and 10K coral Gold Filled. The related Secometer shares some family DNA, though the Endicott holds its own as a standalone model with a notably rich set of dial options across its run.
Gold Filled examples are far more common than solid gold ones, and the condition of that case plating varies considerably depending on how the watch was worn and stored. The dial variants are one of the more interesting things about hunting for an Endicott: applied gold numeral versions, black enamel dials, black zone dials, and examples with rectangular or triangular hour markers all exist, which means two Endicotts sitting next to each other can look quite different from one another.
From the Catalog
When Hamilton introduced the Endicott in the fall of 1938, it was available starting October 15th of that year, offered with an applied gold numeral dial for $40 or a black enamel numeral dial for $37.50, both in 10K gold-filled yellow cases.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1938
1939
1940
1941
1946
1948
What to Look For
| Dial | The Endicott appears with several distinct dial configurations. Check which variant you have: applied gold numerals, a black enamel numeral dial, a black zone dial, or a version with rectangular or triangular markers. Two-toned and white dials are also known. Look for fading, flaking, or moisture damage, especially on the luminous painted numerals, which can discolor or pull away from the dial with age. |
| Crystal | The 10K gold-filled case is particularly prone to wear-through at the top and bottom of the crystal bezel. Check that area carefully before buying. Deep wear here is cosmetically significant and difficult to address without replating. |
| Movement | Dried oil is a real concern on a caliber 987A of this age. A watch that ticks but stops when laid down, or runs inconsistently through the power reserve, almost certainly needs a full service. Don't assume a running watch is a healthy one. |
| Case | On gold-filled examples, also inspect the corners near where the tube lugs join the case body. That area wears through before most others and can expose base metal. Solid gold cases avoid this issue but should still be checked for dents or reshaping around the lugs. |
| Crown | Pull the crown gently through its positions and make sure it winds smoothly and sets the hands without slipping. Case backs on watches of this era can be tricky to open without the right tools, so if the back looks like it's been pried, check the gasket seat and back edge for damage. |
The Movement
The caliber 987A is a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used across a number of its dress watch models during the late 1930s and into the 1940s. It's a solid, well-regarded caliber built to run reliably in a slim case, with a subseconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. At this age, regular servicing is what keeps these movements honest.