Aldrich
1958–1960 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Aldrich
Made from 1958 through 1960, the Aldrich is one of Hamilton's more distinctive square-cased dress watches from the late 1950s, powered by the caliber 770 manual wind movement with 22 jewels. The case is 14K yellow gold, and the dial is a genuine silver dial with embossed 14K gold numerals, embossed markers, and a raised embossed rim that gives the whole face a sculptural, almost architectural quality. Numerals appear at 2, 4, 8, and 12, with a subseconds register rounding out the layout.
Early examples from 1958 and 1959 carried a small gold diamond-shaped marker beneath the Hamilton logo, a detail that disappeared on later production dials and gives those earlier pieces a slightly different character worth knowing before you buy. The embossed rim and thicker dial construction on the Aldrich mean the hands need careful attention during any service, since correct hand height relative to the dial surface is easy to get wrong. Finding one with the silver dial intact, no replating, and the original embossed details still crisp is the real prize here.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Aldrich at $175.00 in 1958, describing it as a 22-jewel watch in a 14K yellow gold case with 14K gold numerals, embossed markers, and an embossed raised rim on a sterling silver dial, worn on a strap. The embossed sterling silver dial was clearly a selling point Hamilton wanted buyers to notice, and the construction lives up to that emphasis.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1958
1959
1960
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the embossed rim and markers for any flattening or damage from prior service attempts. A replacement or relumed dial will often lose the fine detail in the raised edges. On 1958 and 1959 examples, confirm whether the small gold diamond-shaped marker below the Hamilton logo is present, as it distinguishes those earlier dials. |
| Crystal | Check for chips or deep scratches around the edges where the crystal meets the case, since the square shape makes corner damage more common and harder to replace than a standard round crystal. |
| Movement | The caliber 770 is a dependable manual wind, but dried oil creates enough friction to stop the movement entirely on examples that have gone years without service. Ask about service history, and if the answer is vague, budget for a full service before expecting reliable timekeeping. |
| Case | With a 14K yellow gold case, check for wear at the lugs and corners, where gold wears through earliest. The case back can be tricky to open, so look for any signs of prying damage around the back edge, which can indicate a rough prior service. |
| Crown | Confirm the crown is original and functions smoothly through winding. A mismatched or replacement crown on a 14K gold case is more noticeable than on a steel watch, and the wrong size will sit visually off even if it threads correctly. |
The Movement
The caliber 770 is an American-made manual wind movement that Hamilton produced in the late 1950s and into the 1960s, carrying 22 jewels and a reputation for solid, reliable performance in a slim package suited to dress watch cases. It winds from the crown, runs a traditional lever escapement, and keeps a subseconds hand ticking at 6 o'clock. The 22-jewel version was Hamilton's higher-jeweled configuration, adding jeweling at extra friction points to reduce wear over time.