This feature would be included on several of the WWII-issued military watches Hamilton produced, mostly for the US Navy and Marine Corps.
Only manufactured for two years, the Sentinel was introduced in 1940. The Sentinel featured an enamel dial with roman numerals. Some price lists show that an Applied Gold Numeral dial was later introduced and that the watch did not have a second hand. Everything but the roman numeral dial was reintroduced after the war as the Secometer - same case, same movement, same hands, etc.
The Sentinel featured the 6/0 sized 17 jewel 987S movement. This movement is a sibling to the 987A introduced a couple of years prior. It includes the addition of an extra wheel to drive the second hand and the center wheel (that drives the minute hand) is a hollow tube to allow the second pinion shaft to pass through the movement.
Wear through is typically found on the tops of the lugs but good examples can often be found. Case backs will often show wear to the lip used to open the watch and repairs are not uncommon.
On the wrist the Sentinel is a classic looking watch from a bygone era. It's hard to not recall the old WWII scenes where watches were set to the exact time needed to synchronize an assault.
During the war, Hamilton produced military watches with 987S movements as well as an 18 jewel version called the 2987 - where the second hand pinion end was held in an additional jewel. These watches came with both white and black dials with luminous hands and markers.
i have one like the one in the first picture in perfect conditions. how rare it is?
ReplyDeleteNot particularly rare but less common than the Secometer that came in the same case.
DeleteWhat would be the value of a civilian Sentinel in very good running condition? The one I have is a presentation piece and the dedication is 1944.
ReplyDeleteIn serviced condition somewhere around $250
DeleteI have my grandfather's but the second hand is gold not black. Can you help me learn more about it
ReplyDeleteSure, send me an email or contact me through Etsy
DeleteHmm very intriguing. I have a 1942 secometer in pristeen condition. Here's somthing cool you probley didn't know or mention.
ReplyDeleteThe sentinal is of Greek mythology there for the "hamilton sentinal" (which was produced at the same time as the secometer) will have Roman numeral fixtures on it's dial unless it's been redialed. The secometer was also produced pre WwarII
. Mine is from from 42" with English numerals 1-12 on its original oem dial. The 987s was the very first hamilton movement produced to acquire a central sweep second hand and also the first to have the hacking feature which soon revolutionized hamiltons successful future, they wernt so much used to synchronise an assault (although they were very popular in the military) but more then less for the doctors, dentists and nurses of the era.
did the 2987 always have a second hand?
ReplyDeleteYes - why wouldn't you want to know the seconds? Plus the 2987 is a movement made solely for the US military and the specs included a second hand.
DeleteI’ve got my eye on a 1940 Sentinel in working condition through Facebook Marketplace. What should I be looking for to ensure it’s authentic and worth the $125 they’re asking?
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI own a Sentinel (987S SS20960 series movement). The dial is as in the first photo (but gray and white). I did some research on the internet and I noticed that all the dial photos show the mark in a rounded way while on mine the writing is straight. What does this mean? Thanks for your help.