Accumatic A-659
1972 · 14k Gold Electroplate / Stainless Steel
About the Accumatic A-659
Made only in 1972, the Accumatic A-659 is a round-cased automatic from Hamilton's long-running Accumatic family, powered by the caliber 689A. The case is 14k Gold Electroplate with a stainless steel back, and the blue dial gives it a bit of personality that sets it apart from the more common two-tone and silver-dialed versions from this era. It was part of a broad Accumatic lineup that covered a wide range of price points and case styles through the late 1960s and into the 1970s.
Blue dials on Accumatic models from this period can be prone to fading or developing uneven color, so finding one with a clean, consistent blue is worth paying attention to. The Gold Electroplate finish on cases like this one tends to show wear at the lugs and high points of the case, which is expected but worth factoring in. Hidden lugs on a round case give this one a slightly sleeker look than the more bracket-lug Accumatics of the same era.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the A-659 at $119.95 in 1972, describing it as a 14k gold electroplate model with a stainless steel back and blue dial. That price put it in the mid-range of the Accumatic lineup for that year.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1972
1973
1974
What to Look For
| Dial | Check the blue dial for fading, spotting, or color shifts near the edges. The lacquer on printed dials like this is fragile and cannot be cleaned without damaging the surface, so what you see is what you get. Look at the applied indices for separation or corrosion at the base where they meet the dial. |
| Crystal | Look for chips, crazing, or deep scratches. A cloudy or heavily scratched crystal can usually be replaced, but inspect it under good light to make sure the dial underneath is in equally good shape. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. Dried oil in the 689A creates enough friction to stop the watch even when it appears to wind and set normally. A watch that runs but keeps poor time or stops intermittently likely needs a full service. |
| Case | Gold electroplate wears through at contact points over time. Check the lugs, crown area, and caseback edge for brass showing through. Some wear is expected on a watch this age, but heavy wear through to bare metal affects long-term appearance. |
| Crown | Test the crown through all positions and confirm it winds, sets the hands, and returns to the winding position without slipping or feeling gritty. Also note that the stainless steel caseback can be tricky to open without the right tools, so watch for pry marks or a damaged gasket groove if it has been opened previously. |
The Movement
The caliber 689A is a Swiss-made automatic with 17 jewels, running a glucydur balance wheel. It winds bidirectionally through a rotor, so normal wear keeps it running without manual winding. The 689A is a dependable everyday movement, but like any watch from this era it benefits from fresh oil and a full service on a regular schedule.