Hamilton Captain Rice 14K

Among the most desirable of the early Hamilton models, and part of its "Aviation" series, this watch was originally introduced as the "Floyd Bennett" in February of 1930 in honor of legendary United States Navy aviator Floyd Bennett (1890 to 1928), who piloted Lieutenant Commander Richard Byrd's flight to reach the North Pole in 1926. Byrd also had a Hamilton wristwatch named for him (the "Byrd" in 1930), and the two men were awarded with a rare peacetime Congressional Medal of Honor for their efforts. Bennett was also promoted to Warrant Mechanic by Act of Congress. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and a special medal from the National Geographic Society. The heroic Bennett died in 1928 after becoming ill during an attempt to rescue the crew of a downed German airplane in Canada. A few months after its introduction and without explanation, Hamilton renamed the watch “Captain Rice” likely for the explorer and Harvard professor Alexander Hamilton Rice (1877 to 1956), who led expeditions to the Amazon and Orinoco from 1907 to 1925. A mere 432 of the watches were produced in yellow gold, all handmade by the obscure Perrin Watch Case Co.  With the applied gold numeral dial, it was priced at $160.00 in 1931. It is in excellent condition showing only very light wear, with well-defined case edges. Caseback is excellent and unengraved. Case measures 38mm long and 27mm wide. Inlaid enamel dial is excellent, with solid 18K gold applied numerals. Has new glass crystal. This watch is powered by its correct 19-jewel Hamilton grade 979-F manual wind movement, just serviced and running strong.