Auto Date Chadwick
1976–1977 · 14k Gold Electroplate / Stainless Steel
About the Auto Date Chadwick
Made from 1975 through 1976, the Auto Date Chadwick is a rectangular-cased dress watch powered by Hamilton's caliber 826, running in the Gold Electroplate over stainless steel case that was standard for this tier of the Auto Date line. The gilt dial pairs with applied indices and a date function, giving the Chadwick a clean, formal look that fits its slim rectangular proportions. The Auto Date family was Hamilton's answer to the growing demand for automatic movements with calendar complications, and the Chadwick represents one of the dressier, more compact expressions of that lineup.
Gilt dials on watches from this era can show age in ways that range from charming to distracting, so examining the dial surface carefully matters. The Gold Electroplate case is worth scrutinizing as well, since years of wear can cut through the plating at the lugs and case edges, and the extent of that wear varies considerably from example to example.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Chadwick in 1975 with a gilt dial and high-tempered crystal in a gold electroplate over stainless steel case, priced at $195.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1975
1976
What to Look For
| Dial | Look at the gilt dial under good light and from an angle. Spotting, flaking, or moisture damage are the things to rule out. Applied indices can loosen over time, so check that all of them are seated flat and none are missing or tilted. |
| Crystal | The original spec calls for a high-tempered crystal. Check for chips or deep scratches at the edges, which are more common on rectangular cases where the crystal corners are more exposed. |
| Movement | The caliber 826 has a small U-shaped spring that presses on the index lever, and it has a reputation for flinging off during service and vanishing entirely. Ask whether the watch has been recently serviced and whether that spring was inspected or replaced. A watch that winds and sets smoothly is a good sign, but it does not confirm the movement is running reliably. |
| Case | This is a gold electroplate over stainless steel case, so wear-through at the lugs, crown tube, and case edges is normal on older examples. Decide what level of wear is acceptable before buying rather than after. |
| Crown | Work the crown through winding and date-setting positions. It should move smoothly and click into position cleanly. Stiffness or skipping when setting the date can indicate the movement needs attention. |
The Movement
The caliber 826 is an automatic movement with a date complication, running at a standard beat rate with 14 jewels. It is a straightforward and generally reliable movement, though like any watch from this era it benefits significantly from a fresh service, since oil that has dried over decades creates enough friction to stop the movement even when the watch appears to wind and set normally.