H a m i l t o n S t a n l e y
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Scarce Hamilton “Stanley” men’s Streamlined Moderne wristwatch in 14K yellow gold fill, circa 1933.
Housing the unique 19-jewel grade 401 movement, the “Stanley” was part of a series of watches named for famous explorers, in this case for Henry Morton Stanley, the noted American reporter dispatched by the New York Herald to locate missing Scottish missionary David Livingstone in Africa. Stanley did indeed locate Livingstone on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and uttered the immortal words, “Dr. Livingstsone, I presume!” Stanley also led an expedition to discover the source of the Nile and also explored the Congo River basin. Mount Stanley, the 3rd highest peak in Africa is named for him. Priced at $70.00 in 1933, the “Stanley” was Hamilton’s most expensive gold-filled watch during the Great Depression. Not a popular selling watch, only 2,312 examples were produced in yellow gold fill. This example is in crisp, excellent condition showing only a tiny amount of brassing to the edges of the lugs. Caseback is excellent and unengraved, with a few microscopic specks of wear. The case measures 38mm long by 23mm wide. Original dial is very good, has solid 18K gold applied numerals. Has new glass crystal. This watch has a 19-jewel Hamilton grade 401 adjusted rectangular movement.
(SOLD)
Henry Morton Stanley
Snow-capped Mount Stanley (16,762 feet) towering over the jungles of Uganda, East Africa