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Production
Date: 1930 - 1931
Price When New: $125.00
Case: 14K White Gold
Case Manufacturer: S&W (Schwab
& Wuischpard - hand made case)
Production for this variation:
357
Movement:
979 Series - 19 Jewel Movement
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Comments:
The Cambridge was introduced to the public on April 30th 1930 and
was included with several other "high-end" models sold during the
same year. It was the beginning of what was to be a very
difficult five years for Hamilton. As the Depression matured,
Hamilton's more expensive offerings went unsold thereby creating
some of Hamiltons greatest rarities - the Cambridge is one such
example.
The Cambridge's initial shipment to
wholesalers were 184 white examples and 93 yellow examples for a
total of 277 watches, a full 49% of the 566 total manufactured.
The remainder was sold over the next eighteen month.
Cambridge production numbers
exemplify the models lack of popularity. Indeed, only 46
examples were sold in its second and final year of production and
those watches left unsold were either sent back to S&W to be melted
down or altered and subsequently sold as the
very rare
Oxford model in
1934.
However unsuccessful the Cambridge
was when first introduced, it is considered a highly desirable model
by Hamilton collectors and its current price reflects its
desirability.
- Photograph by Bryan Girouard -
