Boatswain III
1966–1970 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate / Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Boatswain III
The Boatswain III ran from 1966 through 1970, rounding out a trio of related sport-dress models alongside the Boatswain and Boatswain II. It wears a cushion-shaped case in 10K yellow RGP with a stainless steel back, fitted with Hamilton's caliber 688, a 17-jewel manual wind movement. The dial is silver with applied gold stick markers and a sweep seconds hand, giving the watch a clean, uncluttered face that worked well against Hamilton's waterproof and dustproof marketing of the era.
Applied markers on these dials can pull away from the dial at the edges over time, so close inspection under good light is worth doing before any purchase. The Boatswain III shows up in at least two dial configurations, including a four-marker variant and a radial-finished dial, so examples in the wild don't always look identical, which makes finding a crisp, consistent original more satisfying.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1966 catalog pitched the Boatswain III with a focus on durability, calling out its shock resistance, anti-magnetic construction, unbreakable mainspring, and waterproof and dustproof capability with seals intact. It retailed for $69.50, positioning it as an honest, capable sport watch rather than a dress piece.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1966
1968
What to Look For
| Dial | Check that the applied gold stick markers are fully seated with no separation at the edges. The silver dial surface should be clean and evenly finished with no moisture damage or spotting. If you're looking at a radial-finished example, the texture should be consistent across the dial with no rubbing. |
| Crystal | Look for chips, deep scratches, or crazing. A worn crystal can be replaced, but it tells you something about how the watch was kept. |
| Movement | The caliber 688 is a manual wind and needs to be wound regularly. Dried lubricants are common on any movement this age, and dried oil generates enough friction to stop the watch entirely. A movement running on original lubricants is overdue for a service. |
| Case | The 10K yellow RGP layer on the case will show wear through to the stainless base at the lugs and case edges over time. Inspect those high-contact areas carefully. The hidden lug design can trap debris, so check around the bracelet or strap attachment points for corrosion. |
| Crown | The crown on a movement this age can detach from the stem if pulled too aggressively. Check that it feels solid and winds smoothly without slipping. Also note that the original waterproof rating should not be relied upon in modern use, even if the seals appear intact. |
The Movement
The caliber 688 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement made by Hamilton. It's a reliable, straightforward workhorse with a sweep seconds hand driven off the gear train rather than a separate subseconds register. At this age, the movement benefits from a proper service, as lubricants break down over decades and the difference between a serviced and unserviced example is immediately apparent in how the watch runs.