Square
1926 · Gold Filled
About the Square
The Square was produced only in 1926, making it one of Hamilton's shortest-lived rectangular models from that era. It runs on either the caliber 986A or 987, both 17-jewel movements, and came in a Gold Filled case available in green or white finish with a leather strap and luminous dial. It sits within a cluster of related rectangular and shaped case models from the mid-1920s, including the Cushion, Barrel, Tonneau, and Square (cut corner), all part of Hamilton's early push into the strap watch market. The single year of production makes surviving examples genuinely uncommon.
Finding one in honest condition takes some patience. The Gold Filled case is particularly prone to wear at the bezel corners where the crystal meets the case, and after nearly a century, most examples show at least some softening of those edges. Luminous dials from 1926 often show age spotting or patina on the radium-painted indices and hands, which many collectors accept as part of the character, though checking for flaking or loss around the numerals is worth doing carefully.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Square in 1926 at $53.00 retail, with a list price of $97.50, and described it as available in green or white gold filled cases on a leather strap with a luminous dial. The catalog framed it as a watch for discriminating men in business and sport, leaning on Hamilton's reputation for remarkable accuracy as the central selling point.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1926
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the luminous indices and hands for flaking or loss of the radium paint. Age spotting and overall patina are expected and acceptable, but any active separation or significant loss changes the character of the dial considerably. |
| Crystal | Check the fit and condition of the crystal carefully. These rectangular cases are prone to wear at the bezel near the corners where crystal meets case, and a poorly fitting or replacement crystal can signal prior damage to that area. |
| Movement | Confirm which caliber is inside, as this model ran with either the 986A or the 987. Dried lubricants in a movement this old can create enough friction to stop it even when fully wound, so treat any running example as needing service regardless of whether it keeps time. |
| Case | Inspect the bezel corners closely for wear through the gold fill to base metal. On a case from 1926, some wear is expected, but heavy loss at the corners or edges affects both appearance and long-term durability. |
| Crown | Check that the crown is correct for the period and that it seats and winds smoothly. Case backs on these vintage rectangular cases can be tricky to open, so look for evidence of ham-fisted opening attempts around the back edge. |
The Movement
The 986A and 987 are both 17-jewel movements built to Hamilton's high standard for the period, featuring double roller escapements, sapphire pallets, Breguet hairsprings, and compensation balances. Hamilton described the 986A specifically as using extra fine ruby and sapphire jewels, language that reflected genuine pride in the movement's quality. Both calibers are serviceable but require a careful hand, as the hairspring and balance pivots are vulnerable during adjustment.