...and this Hamilton "Wilshire" arrived today!

[pacifichrono]

Here are a few shots I took at my desk tonight. I haven't popped off the back yet so can't date it for sure (probably 1940s), but I understand that the Wilshire was equipped with the 19-jewel 982M movement. Of course the swing lugs made it a "driver's watch," in that you could check the time without taking your hands off the steering wheel (see fourth photo). I was happy to see it came with a nice signed strap, too. :-)

JohnF: here's that "eye candy" until you can take delivery of your Wilshire!

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil1_800.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil2_800.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil3_800.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil4_800.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil5_800.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil6_800.jpg

[JohnF]

Hi -

I've actually got my Wilshire, just not the time...

You know, I never realized that it's a driver's watch! Just had it on to see how it wears, and I can see where the Gruen Driver's curvex had the competition beat six way from Monday... :-)

JohnF

PS: Congrats on yours, very clean. Mine has the 980, though, on the inside, which is basically the 17 jewel movement version of the 982 and lacks the fine finishing of the 982...

[pacifichrono]

Hi -

I've actually got my Wilshire, just not the time...

You know, I never realized that it's a driver's watch! Just had it on to see how it wears, and I can see where the Gruen Driver's curvex had the competition beat six way from Monday... :-)

JohnF

PS: Congrats on yours, very clean. Mine has the 980, though, on the inside, which is basically the 17 jewel movement version of the 982 and lacks the fine finishing of the 982...
I opened mine this morning and took more photos (later), but found it's a straight 19-jewel 982...with the SN dating to 1946. ;-)

[pacifichrono]

Photos taken today...

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil14_540.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil7_800.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil8_540.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil12_800.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil10_800.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil9_800.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil17_540.jpg

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil15_800.jpg

[Mario Escobar]

That's a beauty !:-!..how does it feel on the wrist ? do the hinged lugs make it more confortable ?

[pacifichrono]

That's a beauty !:-!..how does it feel on the wrist ? do the hinged lugs make it more confortable ?Hey Mario,

Actually the design of the swing lugs makes the watch a bit less comfortable to wear because of the lug bar that runs under the strap. :-(

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/Wil10_800.jpg

[Mario Escobar]

That´s a shame isn't it? the idea is very good in principle...:-(

[pacifichrono]

That´s a shame isn't it? the idea is very good in principle...:-(Maybe JohnF will have a different opinion...:think:

[JohnF]

Hi -

Nope.

The watch is uncomfortable to wear on the side of the wrist, but it can be worn loosely.

Wearing it normally is fine, but the bars under the straps do leave an impression.

This is a compromise in design: which the Gruen Curvex Drivers watch is perhaps the ultimate in design in terms of ergonomics, it can only be worn on the side of the wrist, and this never really caught on. Wearing the watch there, while it makes sense in many ways, is unusual, and I've found myself tending to catch the watch worn on the side of the wrist because I'm not used to having anything there.

So, it's an interesting desing compromise, but the flatness of the watch means it's got to be worn fairly loosely to feel comfortable.

JohnF

[pacifichrono]

Here's a side-of-the-wrist shot I took today:

http://www.pacifichrono.com/4SALE/A1.jpg