Linwood
1938–1941 · 14k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Linwood
The Linwood arrived in 1938 as one of Hamilton's more adventurous designs of the period, running through 1941 and pairing either the caliber 980 or caliber 982 with a tonneau-shaped 14K yellow Gold Filled case that measured a slim 22.0mm wide and 33.9mm long. Its defining feature was the spherical dial, a double-curved surface Hamilton marketed as an engineering first, allowing the dial to follow the natural curve of the wrist while keeping overall thickness to a minimum at 10.2mm. The Linwood belongs to a small group of Hamilton curvex-style models from this era, and it stands as one of the more architecturally distinctive wristwatches the company produced in the late 1930s. Applied gold numerals on a silver dial, with all positions marked except 6, give the face a clean and considered look.
Dial variation on the Linwood is worth understanding before you buy: examples turn up with a gold star at the 6 position, a round dot, no marker at all, and at least two distinct dial shapes including the original spherical version and a later elongated barrel form. The spherical dial examples are the ones Hamilton was loudest about in 1938, so finding one with that original curved surface intact, undamaged, and without refinishing is the real prize. Gold Filled cases from this period can wear through at the lugs and high points, so check those areas carefully before assuming the finish is solid.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1938 catalog introduced the Linwood with genuine enthusiasm, calling the spherical dial an engineering triumph and positioning it as the start of a new style direction for men's watches. It retailed for $52.50, with the 14K gold-filled case available in natural yellow only.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1938
1939
1940
1941
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the dial surface for cracks, chips, or any sign of refinishing. The spherical shape makes the dial more vulnerable to damage than a flat surface, and a repainted or restored dial loses significant collector value. Check which variant you have at the 6 position: gold star, round dot, or open. All are original, but knowing which you have matters for reference. |
| Crystal | The domed dial requires a correspondingly curved crystal to sit properly above it. Make sure the crystal fitted is the correct profile for the dial shape. A flat replacement crystal will often sit too high or contact the dial, and the gap around the edges will look wrong. |
| Movement | The spherical dial requires a longer cannon pinion to position the hands correctly above the curved surface. If the hands look like they are sitting oddly low or are dragging, the cannon pinion may have been replaced with a standard-length part. Also be aware that the escape wheel jewel on these calibers has a known tendency to loosen over time, and mainsprings at this age frequently need replacement, especially if the watch has sat unworn for years. |
| Case | Gold-filled cases wear through the plating at high-contact points: the lugs, the back edges, and anywhere a strap or watch tool has repeatedly touched. Examine those areas under good light. Some wear is expected and acceptable; worn-through areas exposing base metal are worth factoring into the price. |
| Crown | Check that the crown is original to the watch and sized appropriately for the case. A mismatched or oversized replacement crown on a watch this size is immediately noticeable and usually means someone serviced it without the right parts on hand. |
The Movement
The Linwood ran on either the caliber 980 or caliber 982, both American-made 17-jewel manual wind movements with a solid reputation for accuracy and longevity when properly maintained. The 982 was available in a 19-jewel version as well. Both calibers are well-understood by watchmakers familiar with Hamilton's American movements from this period, and parts remain more accessible than many Swiss-era Hamilton calibers.