H a m i l t o n C a p t a i n R i c e
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Very rare Hamilton “Captain Rice” men’s Streamline Moderne design wristwatch in solid 14K yellow gold, circa 1932.
Among the most desirable of the early Hamilton models, the watch was originally introduced as the "Floyd Bennett" in February of 1930 in honor of legendary United States Navy aviator Floyd Bennett, who piloted Lieutenant Commander Richard Byrd's flight to reach the North Pole in 1926. Byrd also had a Hamilton wristwatch named for him (the "Byrd" in 1930), and the two men were awarded with a rare peacetime Congressional Medal of Honor for their efforts. Bennett was also promoted to Warrant Mechanic by Act of Congress. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and a special medal from the National Geographic Society. The heroic Bennett died in 1928 after becoming ill during an attempt to rescue the crew of a downed German airplane in Canada. A few months after its introduction, the watch was renamed the “Captain Rice” for unknown reasons. Handmade by the obscure Perrin Watch Case Co., the "Captain Rice" was priced to consumers at $160.00 in 1932, making it one of the most expensive watches Hamilton offered. A mere 432 were produced in yellow gold. This example is in excellent condition showing only very light wear. Caseback is excellent and unengraved. Case measures 38mm long and 27mm wide. Dial is excellent, has solid 18K gold applied numerals. Has new glass crystal. This watch is powered by its correct 19 jewel Hamilton grade 979-F adjusted movement.
(SOLD)
Floyd Bennett