Accumatic A-656
1972 · 14k Gold Electroplate / Stainless Steel
About the Accumatic A-656
Made in 1972, the Accumatic A-656 is a round-cased automatic from Hamilton's Accumatic family, running on the caliber 689A with 17 jewels. The case is 14k Gold Electroplate with a stainless steel back, giving it a dressy look without the weight or cost of solid gold. The Accumatic line was Hamilton's core automatic offering through the late American-made and early Swiss-transition era, and the A-656 represents that period's preference for clean, understated dress watch design.
The silver and white dial with stick markers is relatively simple by design, which means any fading, spotting, or print loss will be immediately visible. Finding one with a clean dial and intact original case finish is the real challenge here, since Gold Electroplate wears through at the lugs and high points before anywhere else.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed this model with a 14k gold electroplate case and stainless steel back, priced at $79.50, positioning it as an accessible automatic dress watch in their lineup.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1972
1973
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the stick markers and any printed text near the dial edges. The lacquer over printed elements is fragile, and past cleaning attempts often leave ghosting or loss that is impossible to reverse. A truly clean example will have crisp printing and no watermarks or cloudiness in the silver finish. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or chips. Replacement crystals for round Accumatics are generally available, but confirm the correct diameter before sourcing one. |
| Movement | Ask when the 689A was last serviced. Dried oil creates enough friction to stop the watch even when it appears to wind and set normally. A smooth-winding rotor and steady seconds hand are encouraging signs, but neither confirms the movement is ready to wear without service. |
| Case | Examine the lugs and case sides carefully. Gold electroplate wears through to the base metal at contact points, and the integrated lug design can trap grime and accelerate wear in those recesses. Some wear is expected, but heavy loss that exposes the underlying steel significantly affects presentation. |
| Crown | Test the crown through all positions. A crown that slips, feels loose, or fails to engage the setting position cleanly may indicate a worn stem or corroded crown tube, both of which are serviceable but worth factoring into your assessment. |
The Movement
The caliber 689A is a 17-jewel automatic made for Hamilton during the Swiss transition years. It winds via a bidirectional rotor, keeping itself running through normal wrist movement, and is a compact, reliable workhorse by reputation. It is not a complicated movement, but like any vintage caliber, it performs best when it has been properly cleaned and oiled within the last few years.