Welcome


Greetings!

Thanks for visiting my vintage Hamilton watch blog. I like to restore US-made Hamilton wrist watches back to their original glory and share my experiences with other enthusiasts. Use the "Search" space below if you know what model you're looking for. Feel free to leave polite comments or questions in the spaces provided. Also check out my "watches for sale" on my Etsy site - the link is on the right, just below.

1950's models

1950 Austin
1950 Cedric
1950 Keith
1950 Lambert
1950 Sherwood
1950 Spencer
1950 Steeldon
1950 Vardon CLD
1951 Bailey
1951 Beldon CLD
1951 Blake
1951 Boyd
1951 Brent
1953 Illinois Signamatic
1953 Illinois Topper B
1953 Kingdon CLD
1953 Lindsay
1953 Lawton
1953 Lyndon CLD
1953 Medford
1953 Neilsen
1953 Preston
1953 Raleigh
1953 Reardon CLD
1953 Robert
1953 Rodney
1953 Ryan
1953 Sedgman
1953 Sheldon CLD
1953 Sherman
1953 Stafford
1953 Turner
1953 Windsor
1954 Automatic K-200 CLD
1954 Automatic K-300
1954 Automatic K-350
1954 Automatic K-400 CLD

42 comments:

  1. W.L. ChisholmJanuary 4, 2014 at 4:31 AM

    Thanks for your blog. Well done! I have my father's Hamilton Dorsey ca 1955 that I am going to have serviced and it needs a winding stem. How can I get the proper stem for this watch? Thanks

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  2. AnonymousMarch 30, 2015 at 1:26 PM

    hi
    i have a Mens Hamilton watch, the glass broke, this face looks like its turning grayish , the inside looks brand new, its 19 jewel, can it be fixed? does not work,,

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  3. pham tuyenJuly 13, 2015 at 9:30 PM

    i have a Mens Hamilton watch, Automatic K-350, cal 661. Asked about the details of this line. Is it produced in 1954 not. Thanks

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    1. HandyDanJuly 18, 2015 at 7:14 PM

      Yes, the K-350 was only produced in 1954.

      Delete
    2. pham tuyenJuly 22, 2015 at 1:11 AM

      on the bottom shell: 10k gold bezel, Is this 10k gold ring? or gold filled, gold rolled ? tks HandyDan!

      Delete
    3. HandyDanJuly 22, 2015 at 5:54 AM

      Yes - the bezel is solid yellow 10K gold - that's denoted by the 3 in the 350 name. The back is stainless steel, and that's represted by the 5 in 350. The 0 in 350 means it was the first solid 10K model with a stainless back.

      There's a 351 and a 352 out there as well... those also have solid 10K bezels with stainless steel backs.

      A 400-series watch is 14K gold filled, a 600 series is rolled gold plate (RGP), 500 series watches are all stainless steel. 200 is solid 14K and there are also a few 100-series watches - they are solid 18K.

      Delete
    4. pham tuyenJuly 22, 2015 at 6:36 PM

      Useful information, thank HandyDan!

      Delete
  4. MulfweefMarch 15, 2016 at 11:16 AM

    Dan: How many years did Hamilton make the "Wilson"? What year did Hamilton begin using the stylized "slash" "H" on the dial face? About 1958? What ties the two questions together is that I own two "Wilsons". One has a plain dial and the other has the "H" logo. A catalogue says that the "Wilson" was first on the market in 1954. Would the folks in Lancaster incorporate the "H" logo on some of these and not others?

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    1. HandyDanMarch 17, 2016 at 1:44 PM

      The Wilson was made from 1954 through 1960. Hamilton had a developing relationship with A. Huguenin Fils during the 1950s and in March 1959 they purchased the Huguenin watch company of Bienne, Switzerland. The funky stylized H logo that Hamilton used appears (at least to my eye) to be the same logo Huguenin used. As for the Wilson, I don't think that model ever had anything on the dial other than HAMILTON (based on catalogs) so if you have an H on the dial, it might be a refinished dial, or a dial from a different model that fits the Wilson bezel nicely, or an uncatalogued oddity.

      Delete
  5. VintageLoverSeptember 12, 2016 at 9:31 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. HandyDanSeptember 12, 2016 at 12:19 PM

      The Justin is solid gold - so that makes it less common - but it was made for three years. It's an unusual-shaped watch too and that might have limited it's appeal.

      I don't have one on the blog because I haven't restored one yet. I'd be happy to double your money if you want to sell it for $2... ha ha!

      You can contact me by email using the "clicking here" link above my photo in the upper right or through my Etsy shop.

      Delete
    2. VintageLoverSeptember 12, 2016 at 2:38 PM

      ohh thank you for that info. i will send pics. Wow, double my money, hmm.... let me think about that... HAHA. thanks soo much.

      Delete
    3. VintageLoverSeptember 12, 2016 at 2:55 PM

      i emailed you HandyDan.. with oics. i hope i sent to your email

      Delete
  6. UnknownMarch 10, 2017 at 8:22 AM

    Handy Dan, I have a men's Hamilton wristwatch from the 60's that I can't identify through the catalogs. My grandmother had it engraved on the back of the case as 4-28-65 for their anniversary. It is silver, square, winding, No "H" on the face (just "Hamilton") and has the small seconds hand at 6:00. Also the 1,3,5,7,9 and 11 are dashed indices and of course there is no 6. Can you help?

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    Replies
    1. HandyDanMarch 10, 2017 at 9:46 AM

      Probably. Send me a photo through Etsy or be email. See the "clicking here" above my photo on the upper right.

      Delete
  7. pzinv2December 28, 2018 at 2:03 PM

    Hi,
    I have a 1956 Donavan (presentation) watch but cannot find hardly any information about that model. I would like to know some history on it and if it is worth getting restored.
    Thank you,

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    Replies
    1. HandyDanDecember 28, 2018 at 2:45 PM

      I can't tell you too much about it that you probably don't already know. It was introduced in 1955 and made through 1957. Would have a 754 movement early on and then a 770 in late 1955 through 57. I don't have one on the blog yet so email me or contact me through Etsy if it needs an overhaul.

      Delete
    2. pzinv2December 28, 2018 at 3:04 PM

      Thank you for your response. Is the reason for the dearth of info for this model because it is less desirable or popular? Maybe because it is a presentation model? I will contact you through ETSY if I decide it is worth overhauling. I love these vintage Hamiltons and researching the history.

      Delete
  8. tashapreisnerFebruary 6, 2019 at 8:32 PM

    I am looking at buying a watch that the seller claims is a 1950's Hamilton. Could I email you the pictures and get your opinion on whether or not it is a legitimate vintage hamilton?

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    Replies
    1. HandyDanFebruary 7, 2019 at 3:40 AM

      Sure. You can contact me through Etsy or the “click here” above my photo in the upper right.

      Delete
  9. UnknownMarch 8, 2019 at 2:56 PM

    I have a 1959 Hamilton's watch not gold in original condition with I believe snake band wondering the value of it

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    Replies
    1. HandyDanMarch 8, 2019 at 3:23 PM

      Not gold, meaning stainless steel? Value depends on what it is.

      Delete
  10. AhdunhevedJuly 12, 2019 at 4:11 PM

    This blog is a historically significant monument to Hamilton watch history at this point. This should all be preserved indefinitely like so many watches. I don't know how but it needs to happen. Thank you very much for all the information and photos you have so tirelessly collected and freely given to all of us.

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  11. UnknownSeptember 23, 2019 at 8:41 PM

    I am pretty sure i just acquired a hamilton montclair (1959 ) or so, but noticed the bezel is noted being 10kt rgp. Instead of 14kt. Do you know if any of the montclairs came in 10kt? Also, do you think it may be worth something? It still works just need cleaning.

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  12. MoogleJanuary 5, 2020 at 10:16 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. Paul malcuriaFebruary 28, 2020 at 11:33 AM

    Would like to know how many k100 were produced I never have seen another for sale. What would be the price if one came up for sale is it rare compared with other k models. Thank you .

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    Replies
    1. HandyDanFebruary 28, 2020 at 7:50 PM

      I have no idea how many were made, there are no records for that info. They come up for sale very rarely. Value depends on condition and if there's interest.

      Delete
  14. Paul malcuriaMarch 22, 2020 at 10:45 AM

    Thank you. Wish I had more information. Also is it a popular modelk100. .

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  15. Paul AmatoAugust 13, 2021 at 2:21 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  16. DariaJanuary 2, 2022 at 6:34 AM

    Hi Dan,

    Your blog is amazing! I was hoping you could help me with some detective work. I found a classified ad from 1950 and I'm trying to pinpoint which watch it might be describing. The only details I have are that the ad was placed in Wisconsin in May of 1950 and it for a "Hamilton 17 jewel" and they wanted $35 for it. I'm assuming it was a relatively new watch in 1950 if they were asking almost face value?

    If you can even narrow down what model this might be, I'd really appreciate it. I know next to nothing about watches, so finding your blog has been a big help! Thanks!

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  17. HandyDanJanuary 2, 2022 at 7:25 AM

    Hi Daria, the retail price of the least expensive gold filled models in 1950 was well over $60. Solid gold models exceeded $100. So it's safe to assume the ad was for a gold filled model but beyond that you'd need more info to narrow the list of possible candidates.

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    Replies
    1. DariaJanuary 3, 2022 at 11:03 AM

      This still helps a lot. It appears the watch may have been not cheap, yet not high-end, either. Thanks much!

      Delete
  18. UnknownApril 1, 2022 at 5:11 AM

    Hi Mr, Dan. I have a pretty good size collection of vintage watches and pocket watches. I recently dug out my 14kt 1953 Hamilton Preston.i can't find any info on it, other than your very informative info. My entire collection (300-400+ pieces) is up for grabs, but, I'm very intrigued with the Preston, history, value, etc..., it's in wonderful condition, but does need a major cleaning. Hope to hear from you very soon. Hopefully, you'll be able to help me find a good home for my entire collection. Thank you so much for taking the time out to assist me.

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    Replies
    1. HandyDanApril 1, 2022 at 7:45 PM

      You have to email me or contact me through Etsy or Instagram if you wanted to hear from me

      Delete
  19. JimOctober 28, 2022 at 3:00 PM

    Hey Dan what is your email? I have a question about a watch I bought

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    Replies
    1. HandyDanNovember 22, 2022 at 5:11 AM

      You can contact me through Etsy, Instagram, or clicking the "contact me by clicking here" link at the top of this page

      Delete
  20. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2023 at 11:47 AM

    I have a Hamilton electric . Squareish case round face . Crown on bottom right. Can’t find anything that looks like it. And can’t get back off to change battery. Help!

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    Replies
    1. HandyDanFebruary 19, 2023 at 5:07 AM

      Probably opens through the crystal

      Delete
    2. AnonymousFebruary 19, 2023 at 5:53 AM

      Thanks I’ll have to look into that.

      Delete
  21. Thomas VFebruary 21, 2024 at 11:39 AM

    I received my father's daily wear watch after he passed away but it does not work at all. The hands can be reset but the winding mechanism or spring does not. It is a Hamilton "Gary" circa 1951-53. Can this be overhauled and restored? Parts still available or would need to be custom made? I'm very interested in having the watch returned to working order and would like to [pass it down to my son and ultimately my grandson. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousApril 30, 2024 at 3:15 PM

    Do you have any information on the K-model? It looks like a K-202 dial but has different lugs

    ReplyDelete

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