Automatic K-352
1955–1957 · 10k Solid Yellow Gold / Stainless Steel · Automatic
About the Automatic K-352
Made from 1955 through 1957, the Automatic K-352 is part of Hamilton's Automatic family, a broad lineup of self-winding models that expanded significantly through the 1950s. The case is a 10K yellow gold top with a stainless steel back, paired with a round silver dial carrying applied gold numerals at the even hours plus 12, applied gold markers filling the remaining positions, a pearled track, and luminous dots. Power comes from the caliber 661, a 17-jewel automatic movement with a sweep seconds hand that tracks smoothly around a clean, well-organized dial. Hamilton marketed it as anti-magnetic, shock resistant, and waterproof, which put it in the more capable tier of mid-decade offerings at its $125 original retail price.
Applied gold numerals and markers are vulnerable to separation or loss over decades, so close inspection of the dial is worth the time. Two known dial variants exist: one with solid gold numerals and markers, luminous hands, and luminous dots, and another with markers at all hours except 12 paired with silhouette hands. If the dial you're looking at doesn't match the standard even-hour configuration with luminous dots, it's likely one of those variants rather than a mismatch or swap.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1955 catalog described the K-352 as having 18K gold numerals and markers with luminous dots and a pearled track, and listed it with anti-magnetic, shock resistant, and waterproof credentials. It retailed at $125, placing it at the upper end of Hamilton's everyday automatic offerings for that year.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1955
1957
What to Look For
| Dial | Check every applied numeral and marker carefully. Any that have shifted, separated slightly at an edge, or been re-glued will show under good light. The pearled track is a fine detail that can be easy to overlook, but it should be crisp and complete. Luminous dots that have been replaced or touched up often show inconsistent color or texture compared to original aging. |
| Crystal | This case opens through the crystal rather than through the case back. Look around the crystal edge and the case rim for pry marks or scratches that would suggest someone opened it incorrectly, possibly damaging the bezel or the movement in the process. |
| Movement | The caliber 661 is a capable automatic, but examples that haven't been serviced in years can develop enough friction from dried lubricants to stop the rotor and prevent winding. Confirm it's running and winds smoothly. Ask about service history. |
| Case | The 10K gold top pairs with a stainless steel back. Check the case back for scratches or damage from incorrect opening attempts. Inspect the lugs for wear-through, particularly at high-contact points where the gold layer is thinnest. |
| Crown | The crown should seat fully and feel positive when setting the hands. A crown that won't pull out cleanly or pushes back in with resistance could indicate a worn stem or setting lever issue worth addressing before purchase. |
The Movement
The caliber 661 is a 17-jewel automatic made by Hamilton in the United States. It winds itself through a bidirectional oscillating weight, meaning everyday wear keeps the mainspring charged without manual winding. The sweep seconds hand runs off the movement's center wheel, giving the dial a clean, continuous motion that reads well on the round case.