Auto Date Griffin
1975–1977 · 14k Gold Electroplate / Stainless Steel
About the Auto Date Griffin
Made from 1976 through 1977, the Griffin is part of Hamilton's Auto Date family, a line of date-displaying automatics aimed at the practical end of the dress watch market. It runs on the caliber 825, a Swiss-made automatic movement, and comes in a rectangular case of 14k Gold Electroplate with a stainless steel back. The gilt dial and hooded lugs give the Griffin a quietly distinctive look that sits a step above the plainer Auto Date entries.
The gilt dial is worth examining carefully on any example you come across, as yellowing or flaking around the edges is common on electroplated watches of this era where moisture worked its way under the case.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Griffin at $220.00, describing it as a yellow 14k gold electroplate watch with a stainless steel back, mineral crystal, and gilt dial. That price point put it in the accessible middle of the Auto Date lineup, dressed up enough for everyday wear without the cost of solid gold.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1975
1976
1977
What to Look For
| Dial | Look for flaking, peeling, or discoloration on the gilt surface. Check the area around the date window especially, where moisture damage tends to show up first. The applied indices should be sitting flat and evenly spaced with no separation at the edges. |
| Crystal | The Griffin uses a mineral crystal, which resists scratching better than acrylic but will show chips or cracks from a sharp impact. Look across the crystal at an angle in good light to catch any damage that might not be obvious straight-on. |
| Movement | The caliber 825 has a small U-shaped spring that presses on the index lever, and it has a reputation for flinging off during service and vanishing. Ask whether the watch has been recently serviced and whether that spring was confirmed present and functional. On a movement this age, dried oil creates enough friction to stop the watch even when it appears to be running. |
| Case | The 14k gold electroplate wears through over time, especially on the lugs and case sides. Check those areas for brass showing through. |
| Crown | Make sure the crown screws in or seats properly and that the date changes cleanly when set. A crown that feels loose or gritty often points to a worn or damaged stem. |
The Movement
The caliber 825 is a Swiss-made automatic with a quick-change date complication, meaning the date advances instantly at midnight rather than crawling through the change. It carries 17 jewels and winds through a bidirectional rotor. The quick-change mechanism has a wheel that can separate from its retaining screw over time, which is something any competent watchmaker will check during a proper service.