Automatic K-417
1960 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Automatic
About the Automatic K-417
Made only in 1960, the Automatic K-417 is part of Hamilton's Automatic family and runs on the caliber 667, a 17-jewel self-winding movement. The dial is one of the more distinctive things about this watch: a two-tone design with a gold rim, embossed gold markers, luminous dots, and a pearled track surrounding either a white or black center. The case is 10K yellow Gold Filled, round, and rated weatherproof from the factory.
Finding one with the dial in good shape is the real challenge. The two-tone construction, with that gold rim meeting either a white or black center, shows its age clearly when it's been through moisture or careless storage. Both dial variants show up in the wild, and the black center version has a particularly sharp look against the gold markers and rim.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the K-417 as featuring a 10K yellow gold-filled case with embossed yellow markers, luminous dots, a pearled track, and a gold rim surrounding either a white or black dial center, with weatherproof construction. It was priced at $100.00 on bracelet and $89.50 on strap in 1960.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1960
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the boundary between the gold rim and the dial center. That transition is a common trouble spot for moisture damage and discoloration. The embossed gold markers should sit cleanly, and the pearled track around the perimeter should be intact without chips or separated sections. Luminous dots this age may have aged to cream or yellow, which is normal, but uneven or flaking lume is worth factoring in. |
| Crystal | The original crystal is almost certainly acrylic. Minor scratches can be polished out, but deep gouges or crazing mean a replacement is needed. Make sure the crystal sits flush and sealed in the bezel with no gaps. |
| Movement | The caliber 667 is an automatic, so it should run from normal wrist motion without needing manual winding. That said, lubricants on a movement this old dry out, and dried oil generates enough friction to stop a watch entirely. A movement that runs but stops after a few hours, or one that won't wind up from the wrist, is telling you it needs a service. |
| Case | This is a 10K yellow gold-filled case, so check the high-wear points: the lugs, the back edges, and around the crown area. Gold-fill wears through to the base metal underneath over decades of use. Light wear is expected and acceptable; heavy wear through to bare metal affects both the look and long-term durability. Case backs on watches like this can be snug, so if the back looks like it's been pried at with a screwdriver, inspect the edge carefully. |
| Crown | The crown on the K-417 sits in a position that makes hand-winding awkward. Check that it screws or seats fully and that it operates smoothly without grinding or slipping. A crown that feels loose or spins without resistance may indicate a worn stem or setting mechanism. |
The Movement
The caliber 667 is a 17-jewel automatic movement made by Hamilton. It winds itself through a rotor that spins with wrist motion, so under normal wearing conditions there's no need to wind it by hand. It's a capable movement, though reassembly after a service requires some patience, as the train bridge involves lining up multiple wheels simultaneously, which makes it one of the more technically demanding Hamilton automatics to work on.