HAMILTON - Lot 464

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Lot n° 464
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Estimation :
400 - 600 EUR
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Result : 1 600EUR
HAMILTON - Lot 464
HAMILTON Otis Reverso Case no. 981450 Movement no. J115183 Circa 1940 14k (585) gold-plated reversible wristwatch Case: rectangular, fluted crown, back engraved with initials, signed Dial: silvered, applied hour-markers, painted minute track, gilded hands, small seconds at 6 o'clock, signed Movement: hand-wound mechanical, signed - Calibre 982 Bracelet/Fastener: leather strap with gold-plated buckle, unsigned Size: 39 x 21 mm Condition report given for information only: at time of writing, traces of wear and tear, slight loss of plating on back, slight impact on glass, dial repainted, movement in working order, please allow for servicing, no warranty. The Jaeger-LeCoultreReverso is one of the most emblematic watches of the twentieth century. Created in the early 1930s to meet the demands of polo players, it is distinguished by its reversible case, designed to protect the dial and crystal from shocks. The idea originated with César deTrey, developed by LeCoultreavec Jaeger S.A., and the reversing mechanism was invented by French designer René-AlfredChauvot. The official patent (no. 1,930,416) was granted on October 10, 1933. Contrary to a persistent rumour, Hamilton never illegally copied theReverso. Original Hamilton archive documents prove that a formal licensing agreement existed with LeCoultre. Hamilton paid a royalty of 60 cents per watch for the use of the patent, regardless of case material. Formal authorization to exploit the patent was granted in 1938. The Hamilton version of the reversible model was finally christened Otis , in tribute to Otis Bryan, vice-president and former TWA pilot, and a close friend of Hamilton management. This watch thus testifies to a legitimate collaboration between two great watchmaking houses, and to the desire of Swiss manufacturers to break into the American market, which was booming at the time.
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