Dateline A-276
1965–1969 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Automatic
About the Dateline A-276
Made from 1965 through 1969, the Dateline A-276 is part of Hamilton's Dateline family, which brought date complications to Hamilton's automatic lineup during the mid-1960s. This particular model runs on the caliber 694A, a 17-jewel automatic movement, and comes in a 14K yellow gold circular case with a silver dial, applied gold markers, and a date window at 3 o'clock. The sweep seconds hand and clean dial layout give it a restrained, dressy character that was well-suited to the mid-decade American market.
Appearing in only a single catalog year makes the A-276 genuinely uncommon to come across, and the gold case means condition matters considerably more than it would on a stainless model. Look closely at the case for evidence of over-polishing, which can soften the lug edges and change the profile significantly. The applied gold markers are a detail worth examining in person, since they can loosen or shift over sixty-plus years, especially if the watch has seen moisture.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the A-276 simply as a calendar watch in 14K yellow gold, priced at $175 in 1965, positioning it as a substantial purchase in the mid-decade market for a dress automatic with a date complication.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1965
What to Look For
| Dial | The silver dial should look clean and even, without spotting, staining, or discoloration around the date window. Applied gold markers should all be flat and uniformly seated. Any that appear separated from the dial surface, crooked, or missing will affect both value and appearance. |
| Crystal | Check for cracks, deep scratches, or chips. Replacement crystals for circular cases from this era are generally available, but confirm the fit is correct before purchasing, as a slightly wrong-sized crystal will affect the seal and the look. |
| Movement | The caliber 694A is an automatic, so it should wind from normal wrist activity. On a movement this age, dried oil creates enough friction to stop it even when the mainspring still has tension. If it's running slow, stopping intermittently, or not winding up properly, a service is overdue. The date complication adds spring-loaded components that are easy to lose during service, so make sure any watchmaker working on this is comfortable with Hamilton date movements. |
| Case | In 14K yellow gold, this case is worth inspecting carefully for signs of heavy polishing. Soft lug edges or a uniformly bright finish with no original surface character usually means it's been buffed aggressively at some point. Also check for any dents or dings around the case band, which are harder to address on gold than on steel. |
| Crown | The crown should screw or snap in smoothly and feel secure. A loose or sticky crown can indicate a worn stem or damaged threads. This watch was originally rated weatherproof, but that rating should not be trusted on a vintage piece without fresh seals confirmed by a watchmaker. |
The Movement
The caliber 694A is a 17-jewel automatic movement from Hamilton's Swiss-made lineup of the mid-1960s. It winds from the motion of the wrist through a rotor, so no manual winding is needed for daily wear, and it includes a date complication driven off the movement's gear train. It's a competent, serviceable caliber, though the date mechanism adds a layer of complexity that rewards a careful, experienced hand during servicing.