Allen
1955–1956 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Allen
Made from 1955 through 1956, the Allen was part of Hamilton's American-made dress watch lineup, powered by the caliber 748 manual wind movement. The case is 10K yellow Gold Filled with a square profile and cushion-shaped dial, giving it a refined geometry that suited the mid-1950s taste for clean, symmetrical design. The dial is sterling silver with applied gold numerals at the even hour positions and applied gold markers filling the remaining indices, all in 18K gold. A sweep seconds hand completes the picture.
Finding an Allen in solid condition means checking that silver dial closely. Silver-finished dials can develop a warm patina over decades, which many collectors find appealing, but it can also tarnish unevenly or show moisture damage around the edges. The 18K applied gold numerals and markers hold up well on their own, but any sign of separation or missing indices is worth flagging before purchase.
From the Catalog
Hamilton marketed the Allen in 1955 with a sterling silver dial carrying 18K gold numerals and markers, housed in a 10K yellow gold-filled case with sweep seconds. It retailed at $85.00 on bracelet, or $79.50 on strap.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1955
What to Look For
| Dial | Inspect the silver dial for uneven spotting or discoloration, moisture staining, or discoloration near the edges. Check each applied gold numeral and marker individually. Any that are separating, tilted, or missing will affect both appearance and value. |
| Crystal | The Allen takes a flat or low-dome acrylic crystal. Look for deep scratches or a hazy appearance that can't be polished out. Replacement crystals are available, but confirm the correct size before sourcing one. |
| Movement | The caliber 748 is a demanding movement to service. Dried oil is a real concern on any example that has sat unserviced for years, and even modest friction can be enough to stop it. Ask specifically about service history before buying. |
| Case | The 10K yellow gold-filled case should show consistent color across all surfaces. Check the lugs and case sides for wear through to the base metal, which appears as a silvery or brassy tone showing through the gold layer. |
| Crown | Test the crown through winding and time-setting. It should feel smooth and engage cleanly without slipping. A worn or replaced crown is a minor issue, but confirm it fits the stem properly and seals the case. |
The Movement
The caliber 748 is an 18-jewel American-made manual wind movement, built in Hamilton's Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility. It runs a sweep seconds configuration, which means the seconds hand is driven off the center of the movement rather than from a small subseconds dial at 6 o'clock. The 748 is a well-constructed caliber, though it has a reputation among watchmakers for being genuinely demanding to service, particularly during reassembly when multiple wheel pivots need to align simultaneously.