Hamilton 23 Us Military Chronometer

[WillFly]

This is one of my US military pocket watches - a 19 jewelled Hamilton 23 military chronometer from 1942. Grade 23 is listed as "military issue" but, as the case back has none of the usual US (or UK) military engraving and the face is very clean, I suspect it was sold after the war for non-military purposes. The movement is a one-button chronometer - you can't see the button in the pic because it's recessed into the crown. The movement is currently sticky - wound but not unwinding - so it's gone off to a friendly Amish watchmaker in upper New York State for cleaning and fettling. His name is Mahlon Shetler and he's a member of a community that doesn't use electricity - hence they need watchmakers who can deal with mechanical movements. He also specialises in all grades of US made Hamilton watches - a useful man to know!

 

 

Edited February 11, 2014 by WillFly

[autowind]

That's very nice Will and will be even better when Mr Shetler has done his stuff.

 

RogerC

[WillFly]

Thanks, Rog. One of Mahlon's specialities is making display case backs from existing backs. He cuts out the centre from the case and fits a watch crystal in its place. The back on the Hamilton 23 is slightly worn and slightly cross-threaded, so I've asked him whether it's worth getting a fresh case back and doing a display case operation on it. I haven't heard yet whether he's going ahead with this. If the watch had the usual military markings, like these below from my Hamilton GCT, then I'd keep it "as is" but, as it stands, the case back is very unattractive. Anyway - the GCT case back:

 

Edited February 11, 2014 by WillFly

[Marc]

A very nice chrono Will. The movement is worth showing off as well, a display back would be a great option.

[Craig]

A display back would be a great plus. However did you learn about "Mahlon Shetler" sometimes it's not what you know but who you know.

 

Another excellent timepiece Will. :thumbsu:

[WillFly]

A display back would be a great plus. However did you learn about "Mahlon Shetler" sometimes it's not what you know but who you know.

I have a friend, Dan - a fellow musician - in New York State, and he's a great collector of Hamilton pocket and wrist watches. Mahlon is his buddy, so I post the Hamiltons for fettling to Dan, who drives over regularly to Mahlon's to chat, shoot the breeze, and give him Hamiltons to look after. The internet's a wonderful thing!

[ianmedium]

That really is something special. I have never seen a military dial pocket watch before.

[WillFly]

Oh, there's no shortage of military pocket watches around. The most common are Waltham and Elgin, and the most sought after are genuine WW1 and WW2 models and makes like Jaeger Le Coultre, Lemania and Hamilton. But the number of military chronometers is far less, and this rare Hamilton might sell for around £600-£700 in good condition - but I'll never sell mine! I bought it at an online auction a few years ago - can't remember what I paid for it, but I think it was in the £200 region.

[ianmedium]

I will have to keep a look out. I was lucky with my Omega as well. I won it for $33, it has been ticking like a good'un since the day I got it a couple of weeks ago.