Hamilton Stanley

Housing the unique 19-jewel grade 401 movement, the “Stanley” was part of a series of watches that Hamilton named for famous explorers, in this case for Henry Morton Stanley, noted American reporter dispatched by The New York Herald newspaper to locate missing Scottish missionary David Livingstone in Africa in 1871. Stanley did indeed locate Livingstone on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and uttered the immortal words, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume!” Ice-capped Mount Stanley, rising above the jungles of Uganda and Congo, and the 3rd highest peak in Africa, is named for him. Priced at $65.00 in 1932, the “Stanley” was one of Hamilton’s most expensive gold-filled watches during the Great Depression. Not a popular selling watch, only 1,268 examples were produced in white gold fill. This is the finest example I have ever offered and is near mint condition with no brassing. Caseback is superb, with an Art Deco monogram. The case measures 38mm long by 23mm wide. Original luminous dial is very good. Has new glass crystal. This watch is powered by its correct 19-jewel Hamilton grade 401 manual wind movement, just serviced and running strong.