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Thanks for visiting my vintage Hamilton watch blog. I like to restore US-made Hamilton wrist watches back to their original glory and share my experiences with other enthusiasts. Use the "Search" space below if you know what model you're looking for. Feel free to leave polite comments or questions in the spaces provided. Also check out my "watches for sale" on my Etsy site - the link is on the right, just below.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

1953 Medford

The Hamilton Medford was introduced in 1953 and only made for two years.  It's a classic tank-style, rectangular watch with a contoured case.


The case is 10K yellow gold filled and two dial options were available.  Both dials are sterling silver with 18K gold numerals but you had your choice of a butler finish or a finish in black and gold.

Under the dial is a 19 jewel, 12/0 sized 753 movement.

Black dialed watches are typically less common than silver-colored (butler finished) dials and thus typically command a premium.  I was lucky to find a black Medford very early in my collecting days and I've tried to land a silver Medford a number of times but I haven't landed one yet.  I think it's a desirable model and usually draws a premium.



Update:

Here's a white-dialed version of the Medford that a friend of mine recently gave me.



7 comments:

  1. Beautiful watch. I have the "Silver" dail, 10k gold-filled case, front & back. I was not aware of the dail actually being silver and that the numbers on the dail are 18k gold. I wonder if that also includes the hour, minute and second-hands. Mine keeps excellent time as long
    as you wear it. However, it will start to lose time if you lay it down. I had it serviced a 1 1/2 years-ago

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    1. The hands are plated, not solid gold. Sounds like you probably have a worn balance pivot or dirt in the jewel.

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  2. I too have the silver dail and mine will also run slow if you lay it down. 3 things I didn't know about the watch. It was made only from 1953-55. The dail is actually silver and the numbers are 18k. Reading this was very informative.

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    1. You can also know that your balance probably has a worn balance staff and is running on the shoulder. Sounds like it will need some work but it's worth saving.

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  3. Thanks for sharing your information! I have a silver daily Hamilton "Medford" that I wear on special occasions.

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  4. I too have the silver Dail "Medford." Had it serviced about 2 years ago. It keeps excellent time. It loses about .30 seconds to a minute in a 24 hour period.

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  5. I just inherited a black dial and silver case that’s not working to well. Where should I take it for service? My local jeweler / watch guy tells me he wouldn’t work on it because of sourcing parts was too difficult.

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