1936 Hamilton “Boone” 17 Jewel, Stunning Survivor, Caliber 980

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$821.00

• Details
  Recently Found. Remarkably Intact.
  
  Hidden away in a forgotten drawer, wrapped in the folds of history — the Hamilton Boone G49119 has resurfaced. And with it, a tangible connection to one of Hamilton’s most transitional eras.
  
  This isn't just a vintage dress watch. It’s a rare, preserved artifact of American horological excellence, showcasing the design language and mechanical evolution that shaped Hamilton’s reputation in the late 1930s and beyond.
  
  Zero wear-through. Original hands. Movement serial G49119.
  It’s not only stunning — it’s significant.
  
  🔎 A Closer Look: Why G49119 Matters
  
  When Hamilton released the Boone, it was more than a stylish addition to its catalog — it was a statement. This was a time when Hamilton was redefining itself: moving away from its railroad legacy and toward refined, American-made dress watches that could compete with Swiss elegance while retaining U.S. manufacturing pride.
  
  And that’s where the G49119 shines:
  
  🧭 A Signpost in Hamilton’s Evolution
  
  Serial Prefix “G”: The vast majority of Hamilton movements used purely numeric serials. A prefix like “G” signals a limited or late production batch — often prototypes, reserved lots, or factory-controlled releases. G49119 may be one of the final Boones made before the model was retired or transitioned.
  
  Grade 980 Movement: At the heart of this watch is the Grade 980, a 17-jewel, 14/0-size movement — small, precise, and purpose-built for elegant wristwear. This caliber defined Hamilton’s move into upscale, American dress watches. The Boone, powered by the 980, was part of that turning point.
  
  Preserved in Rare Condition: Nearly a century later, this example remains untouched. The case has zero wear-through — a near impossibility for a gold-filled watch of this vintage. The dial has developed a warm, authentic patina. The crystal may bear gentle signs of time, but the soul of the watch is entirely intact.
  
  🏛️ A Case That Tells the Story
  
  This 14K gold-filled case — elegant, curved, and unmistakably late-Depression-era — is a physical testament to Hamilton’s enduring craftsmanship. Where other Boones have long since brassed or been over-polished, this one has endured.
  
  🔸 No wear-through at lugs, edges, or crown
  🔸 Original shape preserved — never reshaped or over-buffed
  🔸 A living, breathing reminder of Hamilton’s golden age
  
  ⚙️ Technical Overview
  Specification Detail
  Model Hamilton Boone
  Serial G49119
  Movement Grade 980, manual wind
  Jewels 17
  Size 14/0 — elegant American dress caliber
  Functions Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6
  Case 14K gold-filled, zero wear-through
  Dial Original, untouched gilt/champagne with patina
  Crystal Domed acrylic (likely original or period-correct)
  Crown Flush-fit, unsigned (correct for the period)
  Power Reserve ~36–40 hours
  Beat Rate 18,000 vph
  💡 Why This Discovery Matters — to You and to Hamilton
  
  The Boone G49119 is a window into a pivotal decade for Hamilton. In it, you can see the company’s ambitions — to be more than a toolmaker. To be an American alternative to Swiss elegance. To build watches not just for accuracy, but for identity.
  
  With this watch, you’re not just acquiring a beautiful vintage timepiece.
  You’re holding the evidence of Hamilton’s transition — from railroad roots to refined wristwear.
  From tradition to innovation.
  From mass to meaning.
  
  🎁 More Than a Timepiece — A Turning Point
  
  G49119 is what collectors dream of finding:
  
  ✔ A low-production Boone with a rare movement prefix
  ✔ Unrestored and unpolished, with full integrity
  ✔ A Grade 980 in outstanding visual and mechanical condition
  ✔ A case with zero wear-through — rarer than the model itself
  ✔ A living artifact of Hamilton’s stylistic and mechanical transformation
  
  This isn’t just a vintage watch. It’s a rare find — and a chance to own a piece of Hamilton’s defining legacy.
  
  ✒️ Final Words
  
  He didn’t know what he had — not really.
  He’d always kept it, but never looked too closely.
  Until someone else picked it up, turned it over, and read aloud:
  
  “Boone. G49119.”
  
  In that moment, its story was uncovered. A relic of design. A survivor of time. A milestone for one of America’s most respected watchmakers.
  
  And now? It’s waiting to keep time again — for someone who knows what they’re holding.
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