Conway
1961 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate / Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Conway
Made only in 1961, the Conway is a rectangular manual wind dress watch built around Hamilton's caliber 673. The case is 10K yellow Rolled Gold Plate with a stainless steel back, and the dial carries embossed gold numerals and markers at 3, 9, and 12, with a subseconds register at the lower portion of the dial. The Conway appeared in a single catalog year, available on either a bracelet or strap.
The embossed dial is the defining feature here, and its condition matters more than most. Refinishing an embossed dial is genuinely difficult to do well, and a polished-over or re-dialed example loses much of what makes the Conway worth finding in the first place. Original examples with intact texture and clean gold numerals are the ones to seek out.
From the Catalog
Hamilton marketed the Conway in 1961 simply as a 10K yellow rolled gold plate case with a stainless steel back and an embossed dial, offered on bracelet at $59.95 or on strap at $49.95.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1961
What to Look For
| Dial | The embossed texture is delicate and nearly impossible to restore convincingly. Look closely for signs of refinishing, over-cleaning, or fading in the raised numerals and markers. A crisp, original dial makes a significant difference in collector value. |
| Crystal | Check for chips, deep scratches, or a replacement crystal that doesn't sit flush with the bezel. A properly fitting crystal keeps the rectangular proportions clean. |
| Movement | The caliber 673 is a manual wind and needs regular winding. On a movement this age, dried lubricants generate enough friction to stop the watch entirely even if nothing is broken. A service history or a recent service is worth asking about. |
| Case | The 10K yellow rolled gold plate case can show wear through to the base metal at the lugs and edges with enough use. Inspect those areas carefully under good light. The stainless steel back is more durable, but check that it hasn't been forced or marred from improper opening. |
| Crown | Confirm the crown is original and pulls to the correct positions for setting without slipping. A missing or replaced crown on a rectangular dress watch is a small detail that affects the overall presentation. |
The Movement
The caliber 673 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement from Hamilton's American production era. It winds from the crown and keeps time reliably when properly serviced, with a straightforward lever-set design that is well understood by watchmakers familiar with Hamilton movements. One known weak point is the set lever spring, which can be prone to breaking, so a watchmaker should inspect that component during any service.