Aqua-Date II
1968–1969 · Stainless Steel · Automatic
About the Aqua-Date II
Made from 1968 through 1969, the Aqua-Date II is part of Hamilton's Dateline family, a line built around sport and utility in stainless steel cases. It runs on the caliber 629, a 17-jewel automatic, and was purpose-built as a skindiver's watch, rated waterproof to 600 feet and equipped with an elapsed time indicator alongside its calendar function. The cushion case shape gives it a distinctive silhouette that sits apart from the round sport watches Hamilton was producing in the same period.
Finding one in honest condition means checking the elapsed time indicator bezel carefully, since these rotating bezels take wear and the markings can fade or the action can loosen with age. The white dial with embossed silver markers holds up reasonably well, but any moisture intrusion over the decades will show up there first, so look closely at the edges of the dial where it meets the case.
From the Catalog
Hamilton marketed the Aqua-Date II as a serious skindiver's tool, rated waterproof to 600 feet with an elapsed time indicator. It was offered on a bracelet for $115 or on a strap for $99.50 in period dollars.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1966
1968
What to Look For
| Dial | The white dial uses embossed silver markers rather than printed or applied numerals, so look at them under good light to confirm they haven't been repainted or touched up. Check the calendar window for cracks or discoloration in the cyclops or date disc, and look around the perimeter of the dial for any tide-marking or staining from moisture. |
| Crystal | Confirm the crystal is original or at least appropriate to the model. Scratches are expected on a dive watch that was actually used, but chips or crazing around the edge can signal impact that may have compromised the case seal. |
| Movement | The caliber 629 is an automatic and should wind itself from normal wrist motion. Dried lubricants are a real concern on any movement this age. If the watch requires vigorous shaking to keep running or stops overnight on the wrist, it needs a service before daily wear. |
| Case | The elapsed time indicator bezel should rotate smoothly with positive clicks and hold its position without slipping. Check the case back for evidence of prior openings, and note that vintage waterproof ratings do not carry forward regardless of what the original spec claimed. This watch should not go near water until it has been pressure-tested after a fresh service. |
| Crown | On a watch rated to 600 feet, the crown and its sealing system are critical. Check that the crown screws down or seats firmly, that it isn't damaged or replaced with a non-original part, and that the threads on the case tube look clean and intact. |
The Movement
The caliber 629 is a 17-jewel automatic movement, meaning it winds itself through a rotor that spins with wrist motion and transfers energy to the mainspring. It handles both timekeeping and the date complication, which advances once per day through a quick-set or date-wheel mechanism. At this age, the cannon pinion, a small friction-fit component that drives the hands, can loosen over time and cause the hands to slip or the watch to lose time inconsistently, so a qualified watchmaker should check it during any service.