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1934 Description

Oxford

The Oxford did not appear in any Hamilton catalogs.

To see additional information as well as a comparison between the Oxford and the Oakley, please click on the following link - Oxford/Oakley comparison.

Production Info | Comments

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Production Date: 1934

Price When New: $75.00

Case: Yellow 14K Gold

Case Manufacturer: Schwab & Wuischpard

Production for this Variation: 138

Movement: 979 19-jewel premium movement

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Comments: The Oxford is Hamilton's second rarest production model with a total of only 138 produced in 14K yellow gold and 122 produced in 14K white gold. 

Until recently, it was commonly thought that the Oxford and the Oakley where the same watch - the Oxford being the white variation and the Oakley being the yellow variation of the same model.  However, recently found Hamilton records contradict this theory.

Early Hamilton memos initially described the Oxford as being available in 14K white gold only.  However, archived production records report the Oxford being produced in both white and yellow 14K gold and indeed, examples of each variation exist in private collections.  The same archives report that the Oakley was available in yellow 14K gold only.  Additionally, the Oxford case was made from modified Cambridge cases utilizing a different bezel configuration. Cambridge cases were made by S&W and subsequently, so were Oxford cases.  Hamilton records clearly state that the Oakley case was made by Wadsworth and indeed, it was the only 979 premium model to utilize a Wadsworth case.

After careful analysis of existing records, it can now be determined that the Oakley was likely its own model separate and distinct from the Oxford.

The Oxford, with its interesting history (and being born of the highly collectable Cambridge), typically does not find itself amongst Hamilton collector's top picks.   This may be in part due to the confusion that previously surrounded its production.  Either way, this under appreciated Hamilton is certainly one of the more interesting models Hamilton produced and as one of the great Hamilton rarities, it can be found (if it can be found at all) for less than many of the more "desirable" but significantly more common Hamiltons.