1964 Dateline A-577

 It has been hot-hot-hot in Virginia.  My new workshop may have a window but it's not air conditioned.  So it's been a while since I've had a good opportunity to work on a watch or two. 

Today was a very nice day and I had some time off so I was able to get to a new project for the blog.  It's a 1964 Dateline A-577.  The A stands for Accumatic.  It's a little surprising after 15 years of collecting Hamiltons this is the firs Dateline A-577 that I've come across.  This model was introduced in 1964 and made through 1972.  So you'd think it would be pretty common.

Eight years later, the price of the Dateline A-577 increased from $75 on a bracelet to $79.95.  Inflation adjusted, that's about $515 in today's dollars.  That's actually not too far off from what a modern Hamilton Khaki Automatic might sell for today.

My project watch arrived in pretty nice shape.  The crystal is a bit beat up but stainless steel cases usually hold up very well.

Looking at the case back, it's clear this is a one piece case and the watch opens through the crystal.

I'll try to polish the crystal but once they are this scratched up it's hard to polish them to be clear again.

All of the Dateline A-models have a 17 jewel 694 or 694A movement, unless they have a caliber 64 inside which is the same thing but has 4 additional jewels in the automatic framework. 

Looking at the inside of the case, it's clear from the other watchmakers' marks that I'm not the first to peek inside this watch.   There are two numbers inside.  The one with the P is the serial number unique to this case.  The other number ends in 64 and that implies this model was introduced it that year.

Once the dial and hands are removed you can see the various parts that drive the date complication.  There's a small spring under the cover on the left side by the 7 that you need to be very careful with - or it will disappear, never to be seen again.  Ask me how I know... haha.

The movement gets completely taken apart and cleaned.  That little spring I mentioned is the U-shaped part at the top of the picture.  When it's time to put that part back in place I will drape a clear plastic drop cloth over my head so if it flies off, it will be confined to the area under the cloth.

The partially reassembled movement is back to running order.

Looking at the timer, it's not running too poorly.  This movement is so easy to adjust though that I can dial it in even better.

There...  the beat error is essentially zero, it's running a smidgen fast but it will settle down.  The amplitude is a little low but it's not fully wound yet.

My finished photo looks almost the same as my starting photo - except the crystal is perfect (I replaced it).  I polished the case a little too.  So this watch is now ready for another 50 years of use and enjoyment.