Glendale
1929–1930 · 14k Solid White Gold / 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Glendale
The Glendale was made from 1929 through 1930, placing it among Hamilton's earliest wristwatch offerings from the Lancaster, Pennsylvania factory. It runs on the caliber 979, a 19-jewel manual wind movement, and was offered in both 14K yellow and 14K white gold with an angular case and dial to match. Hamilton positioned it as a dressy strap watch with some practical appeal, marketing it for both business and sport wear at a retail price of $125.00.
Finding a Glendale in honest condition is a genuine pleasure. The luminous painted numerals on dials of this era are almost always showing their age, and some browning or fade is expected and not a flaw. What matters more is that the dial surface itself is intact, without chips, peeling, or evidence of refinishing. Both the silver and two-toned dial variants exist, and the two-toned examples tend to generate more collector interest.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1929 catalog described the Glendale as rich in design and smartly styled to meet the demand for an ornate strap watch, suitable for business or sport. It retailed at $125.00, with a list price of $147.50, positioning it comfortably in the premium tier of Hamilton's wristwatch lineup at the time.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1929
1930
What to Look For
| Dial | The luminous painted numerals are nearly a century old, so expect some patina or discoloration. What you're checking for is whether the dial is original and intact. Chips, cracks, or a suspiciously even tone can indicate a refinished dial, which significantly affects value. |
| Crystal | The original crystal would have been glass. Check for chips at the edges and any crazing or deep scratches that affect legibility. A replacement crystal is fine as long as the profile suits the case. |
| Movement | Oil dries up on a caliber 979 of this age, and that friction alone can stop the watch. If it ticks but halts after a few minutes, or runs erratically, the movement almost certainly needs a full service before you can assess its true condition. |
| Case | The 14K gold case should show wear consistent with its age. Look at the lugs specifically, as they take the most stress from strap changes over the decades. Significant thinning or cracks at the lug roots are worth factoring into any purchase decision. |
| Crown | Check that the crown winds smoothly and sets the hands without slipping or grinding. A loose or unresponsive crown on a watch this old often points to wear in the keyless works, which is serviceable but adds to the restoration scope. |
The Movement
The caliber 979 is a 19-jewel manual wind movement built in Hamilton's Lancaster facility. It was one of Hamilton's more refined movements of the late 1920s, with the higher jewel count helping reduce friction at the wear points that matter most. Like all movements of this era, it needs periodic service to keep the lubricants doing their job.