Merritt
1937–1939 · 10k White / Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Merritt
Made from 1937 through 1939, the Merritt is a tonneau-cased dress watch powered by either the caliber 987E or 987A, both 17-jewel manual wind movements. Hamilton offered it in 10K yellow Gold Filled as standard, with the applied gold numeral dial retailing at $40.00 in 1937 and the black enamel dial version priced slightly lower at $37.50. The Merritt belongs to Hamilton's broader lineup of 1930s rectangular and tonneau dress watches, a category where Hamilton consistently delivered well-finished, affordable American watchmaking.
The two dial variants tell different stories on the wrist: the silver dial with applied gold numerals reads clean and traditional, while the two-tone black enamel dial has a sharper, more graphic look that feels distinctly Art Deco. Surviving examples in good case condition are worth seeking out, but the 10K Gold Filled cases on these do show wear, particularly at the crystal edges and near the lug tubes, so condition varies considerably across what's out there.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1937 catalog listed the Merritt in natural yellow 10K gold-filled only, pricing the applied gold numeral version at $40.00 and the black enamel dial variant at $37.50, a modest difference that reflected the added work in the dial construction rather than a difference in the movement or case.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1937
1938
1939
What to Look For
| Dial | On the applied gold numeral dial, check that all numerals are present and sitting flat. Applied numerals can loosen or fall off over decades, and a missing numeral is difficult to replace correctly. On the black enamel dial variant, look closely for chips, crazing, or separation at the edges, since enamel dials are fragile and damage is common on watches of this age. |
| Crystal | The crystal on a tonneau case like this is a shaped fit, so replacements need to be sized correctly. Check for deep scratches or chips. Also examine the case metal immediately around the crystal bezel, as this is a known wear-through zone on 10K gold-filled cases of this era. |
| Movement | Oil dries out completely on a caliber 987E or 987A of this age, and that friction alone can stop the watch or cause it to run erratically. A watch that winds and sets but won't run consistently almost certainly needs a full service. Ask when it was last cleaned and oiled. |
| Case | Gold-filled cases from this period are prone to wear-through at the top and bottom of the crystal and on the corners near where the tubes join the case body. Look at those spots under good light before buying. Some wear is expected on an 85-year-old watch, but deep wear-through that exposes base metal changes the character of the piece significantly. |
| Crown | Check that the crown winds smoothly without slipping and that it sets the hands without grinding. A worn or replaced crown that doesn't match the original finish stands out on a dress watch of this size, so note whether it looks period-correct. |
The Movement
The 987E and 987A are both 17-jewel manual wind calibers that Hamilton used across a range of dress watches through the late 1930s and into the 1940s. They are compact, reliable movements designed for slim tonneau and rectangular cases, and they wind and set with the kind of smooth, deliberate feel that characterizes good American watchmaking of that period. Parts availability for service is reasonable, and a watchmaker familiar with Hamilton's vintage lineup will know these calibers well.