Grant (1933)
1933–1934 · Silver,14K white GF,14K yellow GF,10K white GF,10K yellow GF · Manual Wind
About the Grant (1933)
Made in 1933 and 1934, the Grant is a tonneau-cased manual wind dress watch from Hamilton's early 1930s lineup. It ran on either the caliber 979F or 987F and came in a range of case options including silver, 10K white and yellow gold-filled, and 14K white and yellow gold-filled. The dial choices included a two-toned rhodium gold-filled finish or a luminous painted dial with numerals at all positions except 6 o'clock, paired with a subseconds hand.
The Grant appeared in only the 1934 catalog, so finding one at all requires some patience. When one does surface, dial condition is where the story is told, the luminous painted numerals on the lume variant are prone to age unevenly, and the two-toned dial on the RGF version can show wear at the edges where the finish transitions. Case condition varies considerably depending on which metal option you're looking at, since gold-filled cases from this era show brassing at the lugs and high-contact points more readily than solid metal alternatives.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Grant in 1934 at $47.50 with the RGF two-toned dial, and at $45.00 for the luminous dial version, both in 10K natural yellow gold-filled cases.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1934
What to Look For
| Dial | On the luminous variant, inspect the painted lume numerals closely for flaking, fading, or uneven aging. On the RGF dial, look for wear at the edges and any loss of the two-toned finish. A clean, intact dial on either version is increasingly hard to find. |
| Crystal | The original crystal is almost certainly long gone. Make sure the replacement fits the tonneau shape correctly with no gaps at the edges and no excessive height above the bezel. |
| Movement | Dried lubricants can build up enough friction to stop the movement entirely, and a watch that has been sitting unused for years is often the culprit. Ask whether it has been recently serviced, and if not, budget for a full service before expecting reliable timekeeping. |
| Case | Gold-filled cases from this period brass at the lugs, bezel edges, and anywhere the finish has taken wear over ninety-plus years. Silver cases can develop patina or pitting. On any variant, inspect the case back seam and lug condition carefully. |
| Crown | Check that the crown winds the movement smoothly and with consistent resistance. A slipping or gritty feel usually points to a worn or damaged stem that will need attention. |
The Movement
The Grant was fitted with either the caliber 979F or 987F, both manual wind movements from Hamilton's American production. These are reliable, well-built movements from an era when Hamilton's domestic manufacturing was at a high point, though any example that has not been serviced in recent years should be treated as needing attention before regular wear.