Perry (1931)
1931–1934 · 14k Solid White/Yellow Gold Filled · Manual
About the Perry (1931)
The Perry arrived in 1931 and remained in Hamilton's line through 1934, a four-year run that places it squarely in the early Art Deco period when Hamilton was producing some of its most architecturally interesting case designs. No caliber data is available for this entry, so movement specifics are omitted here. The Perry's production window coincides with a broader Hamilton push into shaped and styled cases aimed at the dress watch market of the early 1930s.
Surviving examples from this era have had ninety-plus years to accumulate wear, refinishing, and replacement parts, so condition on a Perry is everything. The dial is the first thing to scrutinize closely, as original dials from this period are irreplaceable and a damaged or refinished one will significantly affect what a watch is worth to a serious collector. Finding a Perry with honest, original condition throughout is genuinely satisfying.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Perry across four consecutive catalog years, consistently offering the case in 14K gold filled with a choice of white or yellow gold finish. At introduction in 1931 the price was $55.00, with a raised gold figure dial available for $9.00 extra. By 1932 the price had risen to $88.50, with the raised gold figure dial shown as the featured configuration at an $8.00 premium. The 1933 catalog brought the price down considerably, listing the Perry at $47.66 with a luminous or black figure dial, or $50.80 with the raised gold figures. The flexibility in dial choice, offered consistently across catalog years, gave buyers a measure of personalization within a single model name. The Perry remained in the catalog through 1934.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1931
1932
1933
1934
What to Look For
| Dial | This is the most critical piece to evaluate. Original dials from the early 1930s are fragile and often show age through spotting, flaking, or fading. Look carefully for signs of refinishing, which typically appears as overly uniform color, filled-in numeral details, or an absence of natural aging. A refinished dial is not a deal-breaker for everyone, but it should be priced accordingly. |
| Crystal | Crystals on watches this age have almost certainly been replaced at some point. That is not a problem in itself, but make sure the replacement fits properly with no gaps, lifting edges, or visible adhesive. A poor-fitting crystal can admit dust and moisture. |
| Movement | At this age, dried lubricants are the expected condition rather than the exception. Dried oil creates enough friction to stop a watch entirely or cause it to run erratically, and a full service is the only way to know what you actually have. |
| Case | Check the case carefully for over-polishing, which removes the original surface character and softens crisp edges that define the design. On a watch from 1931, some honest wear is normal and acceptable. Heavy buffing is not. |
| Crown | Confirm the crown is original or at least correct for the period. Replacement crowns are common on watches this old, and a poorly fitting crown affects both the look and the practical function of winding and setting. |
The Movement
The caliber 987 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement produced at Hamilton's Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility, and it is the most widely used Hamilton wrist movement, appearing across dozens of models spanning several decades. It is a straightforward, robust design built for reliable everyday timekeeping. The related grades 982, 770, 653, and 995 share the same manual wind configuration and 17-jewel count, and all are products of the same Lancaster manufacturing tradition. The movement beats at 18,000 alternations per hour and carries a power reserve of approximately 45 hours on a full wind. No automatic rotor is involved; the mainspring is wound entirely by hand at the crown. Parts availability for these calibers is generally good given how broadly they were produced, and any watchmaker with Hamilton experience will be familiar with the architecture. A service is advisable if the watch has not been cleaned and lubricated in recent years.