1934 Catalog Description
A popular priced watch for sports or business wear. In 14K filled gold, white or natural yellow. With raised gold numeral style , $70.00.
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Production Date: 1933 - 1934
Price When New: $70.00
Case: 14K Yellow Gold-filled
Case Manufacturer: Wadsworth
Production for this Variation: 685
Movement: 401 - 19-jewel Movement
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Comments: The Livingstone is part of the Hamilton Explorer Series which included its partner, the Stanley model - both were produced in gold-fill. Also included in the Explorer Series is the Andrews, Byrd, Ericsson, and Wilkinson models and each was cased in solid 14K gold only.
The Explorer Series utilized the Hamilton 401 movement which, aside from the 985 movement, is the rarest of Hamilton's movements made. With only 7,500 401 movements manufactured, it is highly sought after by Hamilton collectors and can be found in many of Hamilton's most collectable models.
The 401 movement is a 19-jewel version of the Illinois Watch Company's 15 jewel 207 movement which Hamilton upgraded after purchasing the Illinois Watch Company in 1928.
Note: It was not unusual for Hamilton to have deviated from production specifications to satisfy a customer's request. Subsequently, "untypical" Hamilton's although unusual, are not particularly rare. This particular Livingstone appears to have a Stanley "applied gold numeral dial" as opposed to the cataloged "applied gold marker dial." It is unknown if the customer ordered the watch this way or if the dial merely served as a replacement for the original.