Boatswain II
1961–1963 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate / Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Boatswain II
Made from 1961 through 1963, the Boatswain II pairs Hamilton's caliber 678 manual wind movement with a 10K yellow Rolled Gold Plate case and stainless steel back. The dial is white with embossed gold numerals at all positions and a sweep seconds hand, giving it a clean, dressy character for its era. The Boatswain II is part of Hamilton's nautically named lineup of the early 1960s, a loosely connected group of models that shared an adventurous marketing spirit without necessarily sharing case design. At launch, Hamilton offered it with either a bracelet for $65.00 or a strap for $55.00, which was a mid-range price point for the period.
The embossed dial is the thing to pay attention to on these. The concentric grooves behind the numerals catch light differently depending on the angle, and when the finish is intact it has a real depth to it, sometimes compared to the grooves on a vinyl record. Finding one with that texture undamaged and the white finish free of spotting or flaking is the challenge, since the dial construction is more vulnerable than a standard painted surface.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1961 catalog described the Boatswain II simply as having a 10K yellow rolled gold plate case, stainless steel back, embossed dial, and sweep seconds, with pricing set at $65.00 on bracelet or $55.00 on strap. The straightforward pitch matched a watch that earned its appeal through honest, clean design rather than complication.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1961
1962
1963
What to Look For
| Dial | Examine the embossed finish closely. The concentric groove texture should be intact and even across the dial surface. Look for spotting, flaking, or loss of the white finish, particularly near the center and around the numeral positions. Any separation or bubbling in the embossed layer is a concern. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or chips around the edges. A fogged or heavily scratched crystal obscures the dial detail and is worth factoring into the price, though replacements are generally available. |
| Movement | The caliber 678 is a manual wind and needs regular winding. On a movement this age, dried lubricants are common and will generate enough friction to stop the watch entirely even if it appears to wind and set correctly. A watch that runs but loses time erratically is often a sign of oils that have long since dried out. |
| Case | The case is 10K yellow rolled gold plate over a base metal, with a stainless steel back. Inspect the lugs and case flanks for wear through to the base metal, which is common on RGP cases that have seen regular use. Light wear is expected; worn-through patches on the lugs are harder to reverse. |
| Crown | The crown should wind smoothly, set without excessive wobble, and pull out with a clean positive feel. A crown that slips, feels gritty, or shows corrosion around the stem is worth flagging before purchase. |
The Movement
The caliber 678 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement from Hamilton's domestic production era, compact and reliable when properly serviced. It winds from the crown and drives a sweep seconds hand, which was still a selling point on dress watches of this period. Like any movement of this age, the lubricants have almost certainly dried out and it will benefit from a full service to run accurately.