Judson (1940)
1940 · 14k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Judson (1940)
Made only in 1940, the Judson is a clean, straightforward dress watch from Hamilton's American-made lineup. It runs on the caliber 982, a 19-jewel movement that was among Hamilton's more refined manually wound offerings of the era. The case is 10-karat gold filled, and the dial carries applied gold numerals, a detail that gives the watch a quiet formality that fits the period well.
Finding a Judson in good shape means looking closely at the dial, since original applied numerals can lift or lose their finish after eight decades. The gold-filled case holds up reasonably well when it has been worn and stored without moisture exposure, but the plating layer on heavily worn examples can show through to the base metal at the lugs and caseback edges, those are the first places to check.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Judson as a refined dress watch suited to formal occasions, offered in a 10-karat gold-filled case. Original retail pricing for this model was $47.50.
Hamilton Catalog Images
What to Look For
| Dial | Check closely around the base of each applied numeral for lifting, discoloration, or adhesive failure. Refinished dials are common on watches this age and will affect both authenticity and value, look for uneven texture, filled-in printing, or a surface that looks too uniform under good light. |
| Crystal | The original crystal is almost certainly long gone. Most survivors have been fitted with replacement acrylic or mineral glass over the years. A well-fitted replacement is fine, but check for chips at the edge and confirm it sits flush without gaps around the bezel. |
| Movement | The caliber 982 is a solid movement, but dried oil will create enough friction to stop it entirely even if it appears to run fine on the wrist. A watch sitting unworn for years may tick briefly and then stall. Plan on a full service regardless of what it does when you wind it up. |
| Case | Gold-filled cases from this era wear through at the lugs and caseback edges first. Examine those areas under magnification if possible. Some wear is expected and honest on an 80-plus-year-old watch, but check that the case isn't worn through to base metal in ways that compromise the look or structural integrity. |
| Crown | Check that the crown winds and sets smoothly without slipping. A crown that spins freely without engaging the movement usually means a worn or broken stem, which is a straightforward repair but worth factoring in. Also confirm the crown is period-correct, replacements are common and not always the right size or profile. |
The Movement
The caliber 982 is a 19-jewel manually wound movement built entirely in Hamilton's Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility. It has a strong reputation for accuracy and reliability, and the 19-jewel count reflects Hamilton's commitment to quality finishing in their higher-grade American movements. At this age, lubricants that have dried and congealed over decades create real friction in the gear train.