Clark (1955)
1955–1957 · 10K yellow GF · Manual Wind
About the Clark (1955)
Made from 1955 through 1957, the Clark pairs a rectangular 10K yellow gold-filled case with a clean silver dial carrying applied gold numerals at the 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12 positions, with gold dot indices filling the remaining hours. Hamilton offered it with either an applied gold enamel dial or an inlaid black enamel dial, giving buyers a meaningful choice between two distinct looks at nearly the same price. Power comes from either the caliber 753 or caliber 770, both manual wind movements from Hamilton's domestic 12/0 size family.
Finding a Clark in honest shape is a reasonable proposition, but the dial variants matter. The inlaid black enamel version has a distinctly different character from the gold enamel example, and condition on the enamel itself is worth scrutinizing closely, since chips or crazing in either version are difficult to address without affecting originality. The subseconds register sits at 6 o'clock and the seconds hand condition is easy to overlook but worth confirming against the overall presentation of the dial.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Clark in natural yellow only, priced at $59.30 with the applied gold enamel dial and $58.50 with the inlaid black enamel dial. The catalog described the case as 14K gold-filled, though production examples are known in 10K yellow gold-filled.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1955
1957
What to Look For
| Dial | Confirm which variant you have: applied gold enamel or inlaid black enamel. On either version, look closely for chips, crazing, or lifting around the enamel, particularly near the edges and around the applied numerals. Enamel damage on either dial type is hard to reverse cleanly. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or crazing in the crystal. A fogged or heavily scratched crystal is straightforward to replace, but it can obscure dial condition until it's addressed. |
| Movement | The movement ring on both the 753 and 770 is prone to verdigris, a greenish corrosion that can develop over decades. If the case has taken on any moisture at any point, ask whether the movement has been cleaned and inspected recently, since verdigris can spread and affect components if left alone. |
| Case | The 10K yellow gold-filled case wears through at the lugs and caseback edges over time. Run a fingernail across the lug tops and check for bright silver showing through the gold layer. Light wear is expected; significant wear-through affects both appearance and long-term durability. |
| Crown | Wind the crown gently and feel for roughness or slipping. A smooth, positive wind action suggests the keyless works are in reasonable shape. A crown that spins without resistance or feels gritty may need attention. |
The Movement
The Clark runs on either the caliber 753 or the caliber 770, both manual wind movements in Hamilton's 12/0 size. The 770 is the more refined of the two, a 22-jewel movement known for accuracy and reliability when properly serviced. The 753 is a capable 17-jewel movement that served Hamilton well across a wide range of models from this era. Both movements are well understood by watchmakers familiar with vintage Hamilton, though dried oil at this age is always worth addressing before expecting either caliber to perform at its best.