Blake
1951–1954 · 14k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Blake
The Blake was made from 1951 through 1954, a cushion-cased dress watch running on Hamilton's caliber 747 manual wind movement with 17 jewels. The dial is one of its most distinctive features: a two-tone sterling silver surface set with applied 18K gold numerals, markers, and dot indices at the 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12 positions, giving the face an almost architectural quality. A subseconds register sits at the lower portion of the dial, and the whole package is housed in a 14K yellow Gold Filled cushion case with swept lugs. Hamilton's own description called it "styled with a bold hand," and that tracks, this is a watch with a confident, deliberate layout.
The two-tone silver dial is the first thing to scrutinize on a Blake, because the finish is sensitive to moisture and past cleaning attempts can leave visible peeling or fading at the edges or around the numeral feet. Finding one with the dial intact and the 18K applied pieces still sitting flush and bright is genuinely satisfying. The Blake originally retailed with a leather strap at $64 or on a bracelet at $71.50, so both configurations are correct period presentations.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1951 catalog highlighted the Blake's 18K gold numerals, markers, and dots on a two-tone sterling silver dial, and positioned it as a bold, attractive design in a natural gold-filled case. The retail price started at $64 on leather strap, rising to $71.50 on bracelet.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1951
1952
What to Look For
| Dial | The two-tone silver finish is delicate. Look for peeling, fading, or discoloration, especially near the edges and around the feet of the applied 18K gold numerals and markers. Any prior exposure to moisture or an overzealous cleaning attempt will show up here. Check that all applied pieces are sitting flat and haven't shifted. |
| Crystal | Look for chips, deep scratches, or a replacement crystal that doesn't sit flush with the case edge. A correct crystal follows the cushion profile of the case, and an ill-fitting one is easy to spot from the side. |
| Movement | Ask whether the caliber 747 has been serviced. Oil that has dried and thickened over decades creates enough friction to stop the movement or cause it to run irregularly, and many examples have been sitting unworn for years. A recently serviced watch should keep steady time and wind smoothly with no gritty feeling. |
| Case | Gold-filled cases from this era wear through at the lugs and on the caseback corners over decades of use. Check those high-contact areas closely. Bright, even color across the case is a good sign; brassing through the plating at the lug tips is common and worth factoring into condition. |
| Crown | The crown should feel positive when winding and pull cleanly into the time-setting position. A loose or wobbling crown can point to a worn stem or a damaged crown tube, both of which affect water resistance and ease of use. |
The Movement
The caliber 747 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement made by Hamilton in the United States. It winds and sets traditionally, with no quick-set function, and runs at a frequency typical of American movements from this period. The 747 is a solid, well-regarded caliber that responds well to a proper service and tends to keep good time when running cleanly.