Boulton II
1960–1969 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Boulton II
The Boulton II ran from 1960 through 1969, giving it one of the longer production runs in the Medallion family. It's a tonneau-shaped watch in a 10K yellow Gold Filled case, powered by Hamilton's caliber 770 manual wind movement. The dial is silver with applied gold numerals at all positions except 6 o'clock, where a subseconds register sits instead. Hamilton noted in its original catalog that the numerals themselves are 14K gold, which is a small but genuine detail that adds to the overall richness of the dial.
Finding a Boulton II in clean shape is genuinely satisfying. The applied 14K gold numerals can show wear or come loose over decades, so it is worth looking closely at each one under good light. Cases from this era can develop brassing at the lugs and case edges, especially on a watch that saw daily wear for most of its nine years in production, so check those high-contact points before anything else.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Boulton II simply in its 1960 catalog as a 10K yellow gold-filled case with 14K gold numerals. It retailed at $95.00 on bracelet or $85.00 on strap, which placed it comfortably in the mid-range of Hamilton's Medallion offerings at the time.
Hamilton Catalog Images
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What to Look For
| Dial | Inspect every applied gold numeral carefully. After sixty-plus years, they can pull away from the dial at the edges or show oxidation around their bases. Look for any that appear crooked or re-glued, which can indicate past repair. The silver dial itself should have an even finish with no spotting or moisture damage. |
| Crystal | The original crystal on this case shape is likely acrylic. Check for deep scratches or crazing. A yellowed or heavily scratched crystal is worth replacing, but a light polish can often bring a hazy one back to clear. |
| Movement | The caliber 770 is a manual wind and needs to be wound regularly. On a movement this age, dried lubricants generate enough friction to stop the watch even if the mainspring still has tension. Ask whether it has been recently serviced, and if the answer is uncertain, plan on a service before regular wear. |
| Case | This is a 10K gold-filled case, so the gold layer is real but finite. Check the lug edges and case back rim for brassing, where the base metal shows through. Light wear there is common and acceptable, but deep brassing on the lugs changes the look significantly. |
| Crown | The crown takes wear on any manual wind watch because it gets handled daily. Make sure it screws or presses in smoothly, seats flush against the case, and that winding and time-setting feel positive without slipping or grinding. |
The Movement
The caliber 770 is a 22-jewel manual wind movement made by Hamilton in the United States. It's a solid, well-regarded caliber that rewards a proper service and runs reliably once it has clean oil and fresh timing. The 22-jewel count puts it on the higher end of Hamilton's domestic manual wind lineup for this era.