Auto Date Benton
1976–1977 · 14k Gold Electroplate / Stainless Steel
About the Auto Date Benton
Made from 1976 through 1977, the Auto Date Benton is part of Hamilton's Auto Date family, a line built around automatic movements with date display in a range of dressed-up case styles. The Benton uses a 17-jewel automatic movement and comes in a rectangular 14k Gold Electroplate case with a stainless steel back. The gilt dial pairs with a mineral crystal, giving it a warm, cohesive look that suited the mid-1970s taste for dressier everyday watches.
Gold Electroplate from this era varies considerably in how well it has held up. The rectangular case and hooded lugs are worth examining closely under good light for wear through to the base metal, particularly on the lug tops and case edges where contact is most frequent. The Benton is a quiet, unfussy watch, and a clean example with honest wear rather than polishing marks is the one worth owning.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Benton in 14k gold electroplate with a gilt dial and mineral crystal at $220.00, positioning it as an accessible dress automatic for buyers who wanted the look of gold without the cost of solid metal.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1975
1976
1977
1978
What to Look For
| Dial | Look for even color across the gilt dial and check that the applied indices are all present and sitting flat. Any that have separated from the dial, shifted, or gone missing will be difficult to address without a dial replacement, which changes the character of the watch. |
| Crystal | Mineral crystals scratch rather than craze, so inspect for deep gouges. Light surface scratches can sometimes be polished out, but a deeply scratched mineral crystal typically needs replacing. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. On a watch this age, dried oil creates enough friction to stop the movement even when it appears to wind and set normally. A watch that runs well through a full power cycle is a much better sign than one that only runs briefly after winding. |
| Case | The 14k gold electroplate is decorative, not thick, and the integrated lugs and case edges are the first places to show wear through to the base metal. Check those areas carefully. Light wear is expected and honest; polishing to disguise it often does more damage than the wear itself. |
| Crown | Work the crown through all positions, winding and date-setting, and confirm it moves smoothly without slipping or grinding. A crown that feels loose or uncertain may indicate stem wear or a seating issue that will need attention. |
The Movement
The Benton runs on a 17-jewel automatic movement, meaning it winds itself through the motion of the wrist via a rotor rather than requiring daily hand-winding. The 17 jewels are synthetic bearings placed at the movement's high-friction points to reduce wear over time. It is a practical, well-proven configuration for a dressed automatic from this period.