his is a particularly interesting vintage Hamilton driver's watch, featuring the rare articulated flexible lug design that Hamilton experimented with during the late 1930s and early 1940s. These unusual cases were designed with hinged, swiveling lugs that allowed the watch to sit in different positions on the wrist, making it easier for a motorist to read the time while keeping their hands on the steering wheel.
The central case measures approximately 25.4mm wide and 34.9mm long, while the flexible lugs extend the total length to approximately 50.5mm when laid flat. The articulated construction is the defining feature of the watch, with the hinged connections allowing the lugs to move independently of the central case. The case retains crisp bevels and the lug assembly appears straight and intact.
Adding to the historical interest, the rear of the lug assembly is stamped “PAT. PEND’G.”, reflecting the innovative case construction during the period when Hamilton's articulated-lug design was still under patent development.
The dial has a beautifully aged silver-champagne tone with light natural speckling. Applied gold-tone Arabic numerals are paired with matching leaf-style hands, while the square sub-seconds register at 6 o'clock gives the watch a distinctly Art Deco appearance.
Inside is Hamilton's American-made manual-wind mechanical movement, from the Cal. 982/980 family, known for its finely decorated damaskeening and high-quality construction. These movements were among Hamilton's most respected American-made calibres and were well suited to the company's higher-grade dress watches of the period.
The watch is paired with a dark brown leather pass-through strap, which works particularly well with the articulated case and allows the flexible lug design to function as intended.
What makes this Hamilton especially collectible is the combination of its unusual driver's-watch concept, articulated lugs, “PAT. PEND’G.” case marking and classic Hamilton Art Deco styling. Finding these flexible lug assemblies intact is considerably more desirable than examples with damaged or distorted hinges.
A fantastic piece of Hamilton history and one of those wonderfully inventive pre-war watches where the engineering is just as interesting as the design.
his is a particularly interesting vintage Hamilton driver's watch, featuring the rare articulated flexible lug design that Hamilton experimented with during the late 1930s and early 1940s. These unusual cases were designed with hinged, swiveling lugs that allowed the watch to sit in different positions on the wrist, making it easier for a motorist to read the time while keeping their hands on the steering wheel.
The central case measures approximately 25.4mm wide and 34.9mm long, while the flexible lugs extend the total length to approximately 50.5mm when laid flat. The articulated construction is the defining feature of the watch, with the hinged connections allowing the lugs to move independently of the central case. The case retains crisp bevels and the lug assembly appears straight and intact.
Adding to the historical interest, the rear of the lug assembly is stamped “PAT. PEND’G.”, reflecting the innovative case construction during the period when Hamilton's articulated-lug design was still under patent development.
The dial has a beautifully aged silver-champagne tone with light natural speckling. Applied gold-tone Arabic numerals are paired with matching leaf-style hands, while the square sub-seconds register at 6 o'clock gives the watch a distinctly Art Deco appearance.
Inside is Hamilton's American-made manual-wind mechanical movement, from the Cal. 982/980 family, known for its finely decorated damaskeening and high-quality construction. These movements were among Hamilton's most respected American-made calibres and were well suited to the company's higher-grade dress watches of the period.
The watch is paired with a dark brown leather pass-through strap, which works particularly well with the articulated case and allows the flexible lug design to function as intended.
What makes this Hamilton especially collectible is the combination of its unusual driver's-watch concept, articulated lugs, “PAT. PEND’G.” case marking and classic Hamilton Art Deco styling. Finding these flexible lug assemblies intact is considerably more desirable than examples with damaged or distorted hinges.
A fantastic piece of Hamilton history and one of those wonderfully inventive pre-war watches where the engineering is just as interesting as the design.