Heyward
1937–1939 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Heyward
The Heyward was made from 1937 through 1939, a square-cased dress watch in 10K yellow Gold Filled that Hamilton positioned as an accessible but refined option for the man who cared about his wrist. It runs on either the caliber 987E or 987A, both 17-jewel manual wind movements that were among Hamilton's reliable workhorses for smaller rectangular and square cases during this period. Hamilton offered it in two dial configurations from the start: a two-tone white and butler finish dial with applied gold numerals, and a black enamel dial with applied gold numerals at a slight discount. The Heyward is part of the broader family of Hamilton square-cased dress watches from the late 1930s, a style the brand returned to repeatedly across that decade.
Dial condition is the first thing worth scrutinizing on a Heyward. The two-tone dials in particular can show separation or fading between the white and butler finish zones, and the applied gold numerals, while durable, can come loose at the feet if moisture ever reached the dial. The black enamel variant is less common in the wild and tends to hold up well when it hasn't been damaged, since enamel doesn't yellow or fade the way lacquered dials can. Either way, finding one with an honest, unrestored dial and intact numeral feet is what makes the difference between a good example and a great one.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Heyward as a watch for the man who appreciates good taste, originally positioning it as a Christmas season introduction with a natural yellow case and applied gold numeral dial. By 1937, it was offered at $40 with the two-tone applied gold numeral dial, or $37.50 with the black enamel dial variant.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1937
1938
1939
What to Look For
| Dial | Check the applied gold numerals closely for any that have shifted, come loose, or been reglued. On two-tone dials, look for separation or inconsistency between the white and butler finish zones. On black enamel examples, look for chips along the edges of the dial rather than surface wear. |
| Crystal | The 10K gold-filled case is especially prone to wear-through at the top and bottom of the crystal, where the bezel meets the case. Examine those zones carefully before assuming the case is solid. |
| Movement | Oil dries out completely on a caliber 987E or 987A of this age, and that dried friction alone can stop the watch or cause erratic timekeeping. If the watch ticks but won't sustain a full wind, or stops when laid down, assume a full service is needed before drawing any conclusions about the movement's health. |
| Case | Beyond the crystal area, check the corners near where the tube lugs join the case body. This is another spot where gold fill wears through first. Some wear is expected on an 80-plus-year-old watch, but deep wear through to base metal affects both appearance and long-term durability. |
| Crown | The case back on square Hamilton cases of this era can be stubborn to open, and sometimes a previous owner or jeweler has marred the case back trying to force it. Check for tool marks around the back edge before purchase. |
The Movement
The caliber 987E and 987A are closely related 17-jewel manual wind movements designed for the smaller case formats Hamilton favored in dress watches of this era. Both are manually wound, reliable under normal conditions, and well-understood by watchmakers who specialize in vintage American movements. The primary difference between the two is minor enough that it rarely affects how the watch wears or keeps time, but whichever is present deserves a proper service given the age of the lubricants.