[Vintagehamiltons]

original condition
catalogued 1931-1932
14k solid yellow or white gold
only 209 manufactured in yellow & 357 in white (how many have survived?)
hand made case
19-jewel 979 movement
27mm wide excluding the crown
36mm over the lugs
18mm strap width
$125.00 new (approx. $1700 in today's dollars)
was not a popular model at the time
valued by collectors at $3500-$5500

from 1931 catalog

from 1932 catalog

from Will Roseman's website

 

[Widows Son]

Gorgeous!!! I'm awaiting the brown truck as we speak. I'm expecting my 1950 Lambert shortly.

 

[two21b]

I like this one too. I am surprised to see the current market price in the same range as a Piping Rock or Coronado.

 

[Vintagehamiltons]

I like this one too. I am surprised to see the current market price in the same range as a Piping Rock or Coronado.

Actually, the price is more in line with the Spur (and should exceed it given its rarity and scarcity). Here is some data:

1928 Piping Rock
14K white 5,985 manufactured $1,375 avg. selling price (eBay)
14K yellow 3,812 manufactured $1,425

Coronado
14K white 2,470 manufactured $2,450
14K yellow 1,530 manufactured $2,550

Spur
14K white 686 manufactured $5,250
14K yellow 502 manufactured $5,200

Cambridge
14K white 357 manufactured 1 seen, but not sold on eBay in 6 years
14K yellow 209 manufactured 1 sold on eBay for $4,500 in 6 years

Of these models, over the last 6 years, I've seen dozens of Piping Rocks, 2 white Coronados, more than 2 dozen yellow Coronados, 12 white Spurs, 4 yellow Spurs, 1 white Cambridge that didn't sell, and only 1 yellow one (mine).

Regarding mine, I was lucky enough to see it right after it was listed on eBay with a Buy it Now price of $750 :w00t::w00t::w00t:, which at the time was the price listed in Shugart's watch guide. Price guides err on the extreme low side because they don't always take into account the extreme rarity (and scarcity) of some models. When I snagged this about three years ago, I emailed with several vintage Hamilton extreme WIS's. One had paid $3500 for a white one several years prior and another said he would be willing to pay up to $5500 for a yellow one.

 

[two21b]

I suppose this is just one more reason to buy a Piping Rock. It's less expensive than the Cambridge. Like any collectible, it's supply and demand. Thanks for keeping us posted regarding both.

 

[Vintagehamiltons]

I suppose this is just one more reason to buy a Piping Rock. It's less expensive than the Cambridge. Like any collectible, it's supply and demand. Thanks for keeping us posted regarding both.

I'm sure the demand is there for the Cambridge, but you just don't see them. I only know of 3 that exist.

 

[Ham X Guy]

I'm sure the demand is there for the Cambridge, but you just don't see them. I only know of 3 that exist.

Only 3!?:scared:

Now that is truly a collectible!

I love the original antique look of the dial. Do you plan to have it refinished or will you leave it original? If you did, how would that affect the price and collectibiltiy of such a rare timepiece?

 

[Vintagehamiltons]

Only 3!?:scared:

Now that is truly a collectible!

I love the original antique look of the dial. Do you plan to have it refinished or will you leave it original? If you did, how would that affect the price and collectibiltiy of such a rare timepiece?

The rule of thumb for a watch this old is that maybe 10% of them have survived, which puts the number at approx. 21. Of those, I know of two other collectors that have one and I wouldn't be surprised to know that several other big time collectors have one, as well.

What you see on the dial is radium burn from the hands and numbers. I considered having International Dial refinish it, but after consultation with the aforementioned vintage Hamilton WIS's, I was convinced to leave it original. In this case, due to its rarity AND scarcity, it's value is higher with an original, though imperfect, dial.

Here is what it would look like new or with a refinished dial:

from Will Roseman's website