Martin (1941)
1941–1948 · 10K yellow GF,10K coral GF · Manual Wind
About the Martin (1941)
The Martin appeared in only one catalog year, 1941, though examples continued to be sold through 1948 as existing inventory moved. It runs on Hamilton's caliber 987A, a 17-jewel manual wind movement, and came in two case options: 10K yellow gold filled and 10K coral gold filled, the latter paired with a coral dial. The tonneau case with its square dial and applied gold numerals gives the Martin a quietly distinctive look for the period.
Coral gold filled cases from this era are genuinely uncommon, and finding one with the matching coral dial intact and unfaded is the real challenge. The applied gold numerals at all positions except 6 o'clock are worth scrutinizing closely, as replacements or missing indices are harder to source than on more common models. A clean, original example in either color is a solid find from Hamilton's early 1940s lineup.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Martin in its 1941 catalog with emphasis on its distinctive coral gold filled option, positioning it as a refined dress watch for the period. Pricing placed it in the accessible mid-range of Hamilton's lineup, which helped account for its continued availability through the war years.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1941
1946
1948
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the applied gold numerals. Any that are lifted, tilted, or missing are difficult to replace correctly. Check the dial surface around the subseconds register at 6 o'clock for spotting or flaking, and confirm the dial color is consistent, especially on coral examples, which can fade unevenly. |
| Crystal | The 10K gold filled case is prone to wear-through at the top and bottom of the crystal, so inspect those edges carefully. Pitting or polishing in those areas often signals the case has been worn hard or poorly stored. |
| Movement | The caliber 987A should be running smoothly. Dried lubricants can build up enough friction to stop the movement entirely, so a watch that has been sitting unused for years may need a full service before it will run reliably. |
| Case | On both the yellow and coral gold filled cases, check the corners near where the lugs join the case body. Those areas are particularly vulnerable to wear-through on gold filled cases, and once the base metal shows, it cannot be reversed. Turn the case over and look at the back and sides in good light. |
| Crown | Make sure the crown winds smoothly and sets the hands without slipping. An original crown in good condition matters more on a less common model like this, since replacements can be hard to match to the case finish. |
The Movement
The caliber 987A is a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton produced across a range of dress watches in this period. It winds by hand, keeping good time when properly serviced, and has a solid reputation for durability. Like any movement of this age, it benefits from a full service with fresh lubricants to perform reliably.