1949 Dexter

I recently completed restoring a 1949 Dexter.  I picked this watch up in my favorite local shop.  It was missing it's crown, not running and had a very poorly refinished dial.  So poor, in fact, that I wasn't sure that it was even a Hamilton design pattern.

The Dexter was originally introduced in 1949 and produced for three years.  Another Dexter was introduced 10 years later - but that's a totally different model.

The Dexter came in a 14K gold filled case in yellow.  Two dial options were available, the solid gold numeral dial with dots or the marker dial with dots.  Both dials are butler finished sterling silver.  The marker dial has a two-tone finish.

Under the dial you will find the 17 jewel, 8/0 sized 747 movement.

I think most of the Dexters that I have come across have shown at least a little bit of wear through to the  tops of the lugs.  Usually the rest of the case seems to hold up well.

Unfortunately, I neglected to take a "before" shot of my recently completed project watch.  This Dexter needed a lot of TLC to come back to life but with a new glass crystal and a professionally refinished dial, I think it turned out fantastic.

Here's a wrist shot of the numeral dial - I think this is the more common dial pattern that you will find out there.

While looking for other photos I came across another project watch that was pretty much the same as the one I just completed - although with a numeral dial.  Note in this before shot that this watch is missing it's crown as well.

I no longer have this watch but looking at it now I would say the dial is likely an older refinish but it cleaned up very well, as you can see in this "after shot" of the same watch.