Spur
1928–1932 · 14k Solid White Gold, 14k Green GF, 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Spur
The Spur is one of Hamilton's more architecturally unusual pieces from the late 1920s, produced from 1928 through 1932 in 14K white, green, and yellow gold. What makes it genuinely distinctive is the hour numerals: rather than being part of the dial, they are gold numerals set in enamel directly into the case itself, making the dial and case read as a single unified surface. The asymmetrical case shape reinforces that sense of intentional design, placing the Spur firmly in the Art Deco current that was running through American watchmaking at the time. Inside runs the caliber 979 or 979F, a 19-jewel manual wind movement.
Finding a Spur in honest condition takes patience, partly because the case construction is integral to the dial presentation. Chips or losses in the enamel numerals are the first thing to check, since that enamel is part of the case and not something that can simply be re-dialed.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1929 catalog described the Spur as having a definite flair for the modern, positioning it as something a step outside the ordinary. At $125.00 consumer price, it was a premium offering for its time.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1929
1930
What to Look For
| Dial | The hour numerals are gold set in enamel in the case itself, not on the dial face. Examine the enamel carefully under good light for chips, cracks, or fill repairs. Any enamel loss changes the character of the watch significantly and is difficult to restore correctly. |
| Crystal | Check for chips at the edge where the crystal meets the asymmetrical case opening. Non-standard shapes can be harder to source, so confirm a good fit with no separation or gaps. |
| Movement | Oil in a caliber 979 or 979F of this age has almost certainly dried out. That dried friction alone can stop the watch or cause erratic timekeeping, and the balance hairspring and pivots on these calibers are fragile enough that they deserve careful handling from anyone doing service work. |
| Case | The 14K gold asymmetrical case should be examined at the lugs for thinning from polishing, and around the enamel inlay areas for any signs of prior repair. Case backs on Spurs can be tricky to open without marring the case, so look for evidence of damage from previous openings. |
| Crown | Confirm the crown is original or a correct period replacement. On a watch this age, a mismatched crown is common and not a dealbreaker, but it's worth knowing before purchase. |
The Movement
The caliber 979 and its variant the 979F are 19-jewel manual wind movements built in Hamilton's Lancaster, Pennsylvania factory. They represent solid American watchmaking from this era, reliable when properly maintained and regulated. The 979F designation typically indicates a modified version with minor adjustments, and both variants respond well to a proper service with fresh lubricants.