Vintage Hamilton 9812 Presentation Watches: Virgin Islands

'The 9812 Basics'

You've perused Hamilton's website & stalked timepiece forums to no avail. It looks and feels expensive but garners no respect -'so what's this weirdo watch anyway?'

After 77 years in 1969 a Swiss conglomerate merged with the Hamilton brand and soon thereafter became a part of Swatch. Along with Hamilton's innovation and highly accurate precision Quartz Swiss movements, the company established a business unit to produce custom corporate award timepieces, and presentation watch specialty runs for commercial clients. Quantities of production for each dial (face) variety, though likely small, are unknown. Some 'limited edition' and serialized products do exist and therefore can garner higher collector market prices due to known scarcity.

The 9812 design was produced in the early 1980's through around 2000 with dozens of custom dial designs in a ultra slim 6mm x 34mm weather resistant stainless case, leather strap, standard Hamilton box and warranty. The movement is all Hamilton Swiss, however the cases are manufactured in Hong Kong, and assembled in union labor shops at Lancaster, PA USA or the U.S. Virgin Islands. They are often plated in gold and fitted with black leather straps or Spiedel bracelet bands. The crystal quality and overall watch assembly are excellent. Battery type is a 371 silver oxide with approximately 2 years of service life and the movement is the Swiss made ETA 980.163

Showing posts with label Virgin Islands. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Ephrata Area School District, Lancaster PA

Ephrata Area School District, Lancaster County, PA USA
Ask $28.39 3/13/16 viapontiki1 (ebay handle) Saddleworth, Lancashire, U.K.
Fine condition, no box or papers

Note: Lancaster, PA is the original assembly home of Hamilton watches prior to
merger with Swiss conglomerate. Lancaster, PA and U.S. Virgin Islands continued
to maintain Union shops for final assembly of the 9812 throughout its production.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Teamsters Horses Wheel IBTCSHA AFL

Teamsters - International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Stablemen and Helpers of America
2/20/16 ask $89 kkostov (ebay handle) Chicago, IL USA Model: 9812U Known Date: 2002
Fine no box or papers. Retirement award from Local 705 IBT Pension Fund

Known variety: Virgin Islands shaking hands circle engraved logo on back from local 611

Steamfitters UA 420 / Pipefitters 1889 Oak Leaf dial variants

( please excuse photo quality)

Known Steamfitters 420 face.

Known 1889 face w/ Hamilton noted on top ca. 1990, Leather band

United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipefitting and Sprinkler Fitting Industry of the United States. Hamilton Artcraft dial # 9812U ca. mid/late 90's

4/14/16 Ask $20.99 Blueprinter1995 (ebay handle), Richmond, VA USA.

Virgin Island assembly stamp reverse, Good condition w/ Box, Speidel band

International Union of Operating Engineers IUOE

International Union of Operating Engineers

sold $39.95 1/16/16 coop1523 (ebay handle), Poughkeepsie, NY

very good condition no box or papers. 9182U later model

Known back variety: Virgin Islands shaking hands circle engraved back union logo
Sold $64 10/28/15 momeltons (ebay handle) Osage Beach, MO USA
Mint never worn in box with papers. 9182U