Hamilton produced watches for awards and presentations through a special department. You could customize the watch is a variety of ways including customizing the dial or engraving the back.
In 1959 Hamilton provided watches for participants and key people involved in the 1959 Sugar Bowl. The Sugar Bowl that year included Clemson vs LSU and it was held January 1, 1959 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. LSU won the game 7-0 to claim their first national championship.
The photo above includes the starting offense for Clemson's Sugar Bowl team. The photo below shows Clemson head coach Frank Howard with members of his team during practice for the 1959 Sugar Bowl. Is it just me or do these players look a lot older than 21 years old?
The Awards Division typically used models that were discontinued from the regular commercial line. The logic being recipients wouldn't find their awards for sale in their local jewelry store.
The watch used in 1959 was based on the 1957 Kinematic I. This model was produced for two years so by 1959 it was discontinued. There's a very similar looking model called the Kinematic II but it came out in 1960... to early to use for a 1959 award.
The Kinematic I is an interesting line. There are only two models in the line up and they both use the same Hamilton caliber - the 672. This caliber was also used in the Accumatic line so why the Kinematics was not included in the Accumatic line is a mystery to me.
The Kinematic came in a 10K RGP case with a stainless steel back. It was considered waterproof but that assumes the gaskets included were in good shape.
My project watch has had a vigorous life and is well worn. As you can see, this model has somewhat delicate lugs and they've been bent in different directions so they look a little wonky. I'm going to let sleeping dogs lie when it comes to the lugs. Tweaking them even a little could result in the lug coming off - instantly making the watch a pocket watch. It can be fixed by a talented gold smith but it's not something I will risk.
The case back is engraved Clemson vs LSU and M.A. Wilson.
Tucked inside the case is the 17 jewel 672 movement you'd expect to see. This movement is based on an ETA 1256. This is a pretty common caliber used in lots of other manufacturers lines.
The crystal on the watch appears to be new and defect free but the finish on the dial is a little crazed. I'm not going to attempt to clean this dial as I could easily ruin it, even by getting it wet.
All the parts are disassembled and cleaned. The movement was very dirty and everything is nice and shiny now.
The basic movement is reassembled and the balance is now ticking away. It's at a point now where I can put it on the timer to see how it's running.
Things are looking good. All of the specs are within my acceptable range so I'll leave it running as it is. The beat rate will likely settle down after a while.
The finished watch looks a bit shinier than what I started with but it's running much better and now ready for some more wrist time. It will look a lot better once the lugs are adjusted to look even.
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