Square B Plain
1931–1932 · Gold Filled
About the Square B Plain
The Square B Plain had a short run, appearing in Hamilton's catalog for 1931 and 1932 as part of the company's early rectangular case lineup. It's powered by either the caliber 979 or caliber 987, both 17-jewel movements, and came in 14K Gold Filled cases in yellow, green, or white. The dial options included a standard printed dial or an upgrade to raised numeral dial No. 012 at no extra charge, with luminous treatment available for an additional five dollars. Pricing in the 1932 catalog started at $50.00 for the grade 987 version and reached $88.00 for the grade 979 in natural, green, or white gold.
Rectangular cases of this era are particularly vulnerable to bezel wear near the crystal corners, and on a watch this old, finding a Square B Plain with crisp case edges is genuinely uncommon. The Gold Filled case makes condition especially important to evaluate carefully since the base metal can show through at high-wear points. Dial survivors with intact raised numerals and minimal fading are worth holding onto.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1932 catalog offered the Square B Plain in two grades, with the grade 987 in 14K filled gold starting at $50.00 and the grade 979 in natural, green, or white gold priced at $88.00. Buyers could add a luminous dial for five dollars more, or opt for the raised numeral dial at no extra charge.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1932
What to Look For
| Dial | Check the numerals closely. The upgraded No. 012 dial features raised numerals, while the standard dial uses printed indices. Confirm which you have, and look for fading, discoloration, or moisture damage that's common after ninety-plus years. |
| Crystal | Rectangular crystals on watches of this era are almost always replacements by now. Make sure the fit is correct and flush, with no gaps at the corners that could let in dust or moisture. |
| Movement | Oil in a caliber 979 or 987 of this age has almost certainly dried out, and that dried friction alone can bring the watch to a stop or cause it to run erratically. The hairspring on these movements is prone to damage during balance adjustment, and the balance pivot can break if handled carelessly. Ask whether the watch has been recently serviced and by whom. |
| Case | The bezel near the crystal corners is the first place to wear on rectangular gold filled cases. Inspect those corners closely under good light. Significant wear through to the base metal there is hard to address cosmetically and affects value. |
| Crown | Check that the crown is period-appropriate in size and style. Replacements are common and often look slightly off. Make sure it winds and sets smoothly without slipping or feeling gritty. |
The Movement
The caliber 979 and 987 are both 17-jewel manual-wind movements from Hamilton's American production era, built for reliability in a slim rectangular package. The 979 is generally considered the more robust of the two, while the 987 was Hamilton's workhorse for dress-sized rectangular cases throughout this period. Both wind and set with a satisfying precision that reflects the quality control Hamilton maintained at its Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility.