1964 Fairlane

Hamilton had a very active awards program where they would make models available to companies and organizations to serve as awards or to recognize achievement.  Sometimes the models were based on discontinued models that were slightly modified to look different enough from what you mind find in your local jewelers.  Other times it could be something even more special.

You can usually spot an awards division model when it says "Masterpiece" on the dial.  Other times you can spot it just by the manner and font of the engraving on the case back.

Award watches don't have universal appeal.  Some collectors prefer only cataloged models.  Others don't like the back to have any engraving whatsoever.  Other collectors might find the presentation to be very desirable - like if it's related to a sporting event, school, or a specific company.  One this is for certain, there is something for everyone in the world of vintage watches.

One model that I find interesting is the 1964 Fairlane.  It was produced specifically for the Ford Motor Company to recognize employees with 35 years of service.  That's a long stretch by any standard and definitely worthy of recognition.  The back was nicely engraved with the recipient's name and the signature of Henry Ford II, the CEO at the time.

The model was not catalogued but the model name is known to exist thanks to the Hamilton card originally provided with the watch.

The Fairlane was the name of a series of models Ford produced from 1955 through 1970.  The series got it's name from the Dearborn, Michigan estate of Henry Ford.

The Fairlane looks like it was based on the Stormking series, perhaps the Stormking VIII from 1961/62.  It's presented in a solid 10K yellow gold case and features the 18J 735 movement.

The last time I saw a Fairlane was 10 years ago so I thought I'd feature the model again.  My project watch has seen a well-loved life.  It has had a lot of wear and the dial has been refinished at some point.

The case back has the typical engraving but it's beginning to get worn away so I won't do any polishing so I can preserve what information remains.

The dial has obviously been refinished.  There are several clues.  First, the original finish would have been what I call a "radial finish" where the finish is brushed from the center outward.  The Hamilton logo and printing is a bit heavy.  Lastly the numbers and figures are a little soft.  This dial was embossed and when the original finish was removed, the abrasive process softens all the hard edges.

The watch had a slightly too small crystal installed.  I could spin it with my fingers.  It's supposed to be compressed in place.  Now that the crystal is off, I can separate the stem and pull the movement out of the case.

I use a little lever to carefully pry the crown away from the two-piece stem.  Now I can lift the movement out.

Without the movement, etc. inside, I'll way the case to see how much gold is present.  Looks like 8 grams, which at $55 per gram for 10K is about $440.  This watch is worth well more than that, in my opinion, which makes scrapping watch cases an unfortunate occurence.

The movement is held in the case thanks to a large spacer ring.

The back of the dial has numbers scratched into it, another clue the dial has been refinished.

Everything is cleaned and readied to be reassembled.

The reassembled movement goes onto the timer and things are looking pretty good.  The amplitude is a little low but I haven't fully wound it yet.

A new crystal and a nice strap complete the restoration of this unique watch.  I'm sure any Ford enthusiast would be happy to have it.