Auto Date Escort
1973โ1977 ยท 14k Gold EP
About the Auto Date Escort
Made from 1973 through 1977, the Auto Date Escort is a rectangular, 14k Gold Electroplate automatic from Hamilton's Auto Date family, running on a 17-jewel movement with a quick-change date function. The Auto Date line brought practical date complications to a range of dress-oriented case styles, and the Escort fits that pattern well, pairing a slim rectangular profile with everyday wearability. Hamilton listed it at $145.00 on strap and $169.95 on bracelet, positioning it as a mid-range dress automatic in the lineup.
Gold Electroplate cases from this era vary considerably in how well they've held up, and the Escort is no exception. The plating on the lugs and case edges tends to show wear first, so condition of the finish is worth a close look before buying. The maroon dial is the detail that makes this one genuinely interesting to find in good shape.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Escort in its catalog as a 14k gold electroplate model with a maroon dial, offered on strap at $145.00 and on bracelet at $169.95, with the Q/C I quick-change date function included.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
What to Look For
| Dial | Look carefully at the maroon dial for fading, spotting, or moisture damage. Any silvering or color shift toward brown usually signals past exposure to humidity. The applied indices should sit flat and even with no separation at the edges. |
| Crystal | Check the crystal for deep scratches or crazing. Replacement crystals for rectangular cases can be harder to source, so a badly damaged one is worth factoring into your decision. |
| Movement | Ask whether the watch has been serviced recently. On a movement this age, dried oil creates enough friction to stop the watch even with a full wind. A watch that runs but runs rough is telling you something. |
| Case | 14k gold electroplate wears through over time, especially on the lugs and case back edges. Look at those areas in good light. Light patina is normal; bare brass showing through is a different conversation. |
| Crown | Work the crown through all its positions. The quick-change date function should advance crisply. Any mushiness or slipping in the date-set position points to a worn or damaged stem and setting mechanism. |
The Movement
The Escort runs on a 17-jewel automatic movement with Hamilton's quick-change date function, designated Q/C I in the catalog. The quick-change mechanism lets the wearer advance the date directly from the crown rather than cycling the hands through midnight, which was a genuine convenience feature at the time. At 17 jewels, the movement is solidly jeweled for the era and responds well to a proper service.