The Lancaster 132 (47mm) San Francisco Special

Visit the brand's site for current pricing

What Makes The Lancaster 132 Unique: The Lancaster 132 is defined by rarity at every level, from the dial signature to the movement itself. The enamel dial is crisp and balanced, featuring bold black Arabic numerals, a finely printed outer minute track with red five-minute markers, and a recessed sub-seconds register at 6 oclock. At center, the signature reads George E. Butler, San Francisco, a detail that immediately sets this piece apart. The printing is sharp and confidently placed, preserving the original retailers identity without distraction, while the blued-steel hands provide a subtle contrast against the bright white dial. That name is not decorative. George E. Butler was a legitimate San Francisco retailer in the early 20th century, and Hamilton did not private-label movements lightly. For a dealers name to appear on both the dial and movement, there had to be a level of trust and reputation behind it. This suggests Butler was operating at a high tier of retail during a period when San Francisco was rebuilding and thriving post-1906 earthquake, placing this watch firmly in the context of a rapidly modernizing, affluent West Coast market. Inside, the story becomes even more unusual. This watch is powered by a 19-jewel Hamilton movement manufactured in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1911. While Hamilton was known for precision and interchangeability of parts, this particular movement is a documented exception. Every component carries its own individual serial marking, designating it as a unique, non-interchangeable assembly. Based on our notes, this would have been selected from a much larger production batch and intentionally preserved as a singular configuration. For collectors, this is the kind of anomaly that elevates a movement from historically interesting to genuinely significant. That same uniqueness made restoration exceptionally difficult. Unlike standard antique movements where worn components can be replaced, this piece required each original part to be individually repaired and refinished to maintain its integrity. The result is a movement that remains entirely original in composition, with its architecture, gear train, and finishing intact more than a century later. Visually, the movement displays classic Hamilton finishing, with damaskeened patterns across the plates, polished steel elements, and gold-toned gears, all visible through the exhibition caseback. The watch is housed in a machined 316L stainless steel case, offering a cl