Square B
1929–1932 · 18k Solid Yellow Gold / 14k Solid White Gold / 14k Solid Yellow Gold / 14k Green GF / 14k WGF / 14k YGF / 14k Green GF · Manual Wind
About the Square B
The Square B had a short run, produced from 1929 through 1932, with production appearing most concentrated around 1931. It belongs to Hamilton's early rectangular and square case family of the era, alongside related models like the Square Cut Corner and the Spur. The movement inside is one of three calibers: the 979, 987, or 987F, each a 17-jewel manual wind. Case options ranged widely, from 18k yellow gold down through 14k solid yellow, white, and green gold, as well as 14k Gold Filled versions in yellow, green, and white.
Gold Filled examples show up more often than solid gold ones, and the condition of the bezel corners is almost always the first thing worth scrutinizing on any Square B. The etched numeral dial variant is the more visually interesting of the two known configurations, and finding one with that dial intact and legible makes a real difference. Luminous dial examples exist as well, though the luminous material on watches this age should be treated with appropriate caution.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1932 catalog called specific attention to the etched numeral dial becoming available on the Square B, noting it as part of bringing the model into the $50.00 price class. A 1931 catalog lists the Square B at $55.00, available in 14K filled yellow, green, or white gold.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1931
What to Look For
| Dial | Check for crazing, flaking, or peeling on either dial variant. On luminous examples, inspect whether the lume plots are intact or have been touched up. The etched numeral dial should show clean, well-defined numerals with no fill loss. |
| Crystal | Confirm the crystal fits properly and sits flush. On square cases from this period, ill-fitting replacements are common and can put uneven pressure on the dial. |
| Movement | Confirm which caliber is inside, as this model ran with the 979, 987, or 987F. The balance on all three of these calibers is worth scrutinizing carefully: the hairspring is prone to damage during adjustment, and the balance pivots are fragile. Any signs of a ham-fisted prior service should prompt a closer look at both. |
| Case | The bezel corners around the crystal are the most vulnerable spot on this case. Expect wear there on most examples. On gold-filled pieces, check that the fill has not worn through at the high-contact points. On solid gold examples, verify the hallmark stamps are legible and match the listed material. |
| Crown | Check that the crown engages and winds smoothly without slipping. On movements this old, a crown that feels mushy or skips can point to a worn or damaged winding mechanism. |
The Movement
The Square B was fitted with one of three related calibers: the 979, 987, or 987F, all 17-jewel manual wind movements. These are characteristically American Hamilton movements from the late 1920s and early 1930s, regulated by a lever escapement and wound and set via the crown. They are capable movements when properly serviced, but the balance assembly on all three is known to be delicate, particularly during regulation.