Bradford B
1956–1962 · Platinum / 14k Solid White Gold / 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Bradford B
The Bradford B ran from 1956 through 1962 as part of Hamilton's Medallion family, which brought together the brand's dressier, more jeweled offerings aimed at the top of the line. Power comes from the caliber 770, a 22-jewel manual wind movement, housed in a round case available in platinum, 14K yellow gold, or 14K white gold. The dial is a silver dial field with applied gold numerals at 12 and gold dot indices at the remaining hours, with 11 diamonds also featured on the dial, and a subseconds register at 6 o'clock.
Finding a Bradford B in good shape means paying close attention to the diamonds, as stones can loosen or go missing over decades without anyone noticing until they look closely. The silver dial is susceptible to spotting or discoloration if moisture has ever gotten near it, so look carefully at the surface under good light before committing. The platinum case variant is genuinely uncommon and worth identifying properly, since it can be mistaken for white gold without testing.
From the Catalog
Hamilton positioned the Bradford B squarely at the premium end of its lineup, with the 1959 catalog listing it at $300 and describing the dial as carrying 14K gold numerals, rhodium plated on the white model, along with 11 diamonds on a sterling silver dial. The yellow or white gold case options and strap configuration were both called out, making clear this was a dress watch built for occasions.
Hamilton Catalog Images
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1962
What to Look For
| Dial | Examine the silver dial carefully for spotting or discoloration, spotting, or moisture damage. Count the diamonds and look for any empty settings. The applied gold numerals and dot indices should sit flush and show no separation or detachment at the edges. On white gold or platinum examples, the numerals and dots should be rhodium plated rather than yellow gold, so mismatched finishing can signal a replaced or refinished dial. |
| Crystal | The Bradford B uses a domed crystal. Check for chips, crazing, or deep scratches that distort the view of the dial. A poorly fitting replacement crystal can also affect how the hands clear the dome, so make sure the hands are not catching. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. Dried oil in a caliber 770 that has been sitting unserviced for years creates enough friction to stop the movement entirely, and what looks like a stopped watch is sometimes just a movement that needs a proper cleaning. A freshly serviced example should run smoothly and wind without grittiness. |
| Case | Confirm the case metal. Platinum, 14K white gold, and 14K yellow gold were all offered, and each should be marked accordingly inside the case back. The case back on these can be difficult to open without the right tools, so do not let a stuck case back be mistaken for a sealed or pristine one. |
| Crown | The crown should pull out smoothly to the setting position and wind without slipping or grinding. Check that it is the correct crown for the case, since replacements are common and an oversized or undersized crown can look out of place on a dress watch of this caliber. |
The Movement
The caliber 770 is a 22-jewel manual wind movement built to Hamilton's higher standard for dress watches of this period. The elevated jewel count reflects the Medallion family's positioning, with extra jeweling in the going train to reduce friction and improve longevity. It winds and sets simply, keeps good time when properly serviced, and is a movement that Hamilton's watchmakers clearly took pride in.