Dateline A-576
1963–1966 · Stainless Steel · Automatic
About the Dateline A-576
Made from 1963 through 1966, the Dateline A-576 is part of Hamilton's Dateline family, a line built around the practical appeal of a date complication in a clean, wearable package. The A-576 runs on the caliber 694, a 17-jewel automatic, and comes in a cushion-shaped stainless steel case with a white dial, sweep seconds hand, and raised gold markers in place of hour numerals. Hamilton offered it on either a stainless bracelet or a strap, and it was among the more affordable date watches in the lineup at the time.
The white dial on these can show age in the form of yellowing or small spots near the edges, which is worth inspecting carefully before buying. The raised gold markers are a nice detail that holds up well when the dial has been left alone, but any sign of refinishing is a red flag since it affects both originality and value. Finding one on its original bracelet adds something, though the bracelet is often long gone.
From the Catalog
Hamilton positioned the A-576 as a calendar model in stainless steel, available on either a bracelet or strap. In 1964 the bracelet version was priced at $79.50 and the strap version at $75.00, placing it in the practical middle of Hamilton's date watch offerings for the period.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1963
1964
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the white dial for yellowing, spotting, or uneven texture near the edges. The raised gold markers should sit cleanly and uniformly. Any sign that the dial has been refinished, such as filled printing, rounded marker edges, or an overly flat finish, means it is no longer original. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or crazing. Also be aware that this case opens through the crystal side, not the case back. Scratches or pry marks around the bezel edge can indicate someone attempted to force the case back open incorrectly. |
| Movement | The caliber 694 is an automatic and should wind from normal wrist activity, but oil dries out on any movement of this age and can create enough friction to stop it entirely. Ask whether it has been recently serviced, and if not, budget for that before putting it into regular wear. |
| Case | The cushion case wears well in stainless steel, but check the lugs for thinning from over-polishing. A case with its original brushed or matte surfaces intact is preferable to one that has been buffed to a mirror finish. |
| Crown | The crown should screw or push in smoothly and set both the time and date without slipping. A crown that feels loose or has to be coaxed into position suggests wear or a possible replacement. Note that even if the case was originally rated weatherproof, vintage seals should not be trusted for any water exposure. |
The Movement
The caliber 694 is a 17-jewel automatic movement made by Hamilton. It winds from the natural motion of the wrist through a rotor, so no daily manual winding is needed, and it includes a date complication that advances at midnight. It is a reliable movement when properly serviced, though like all automatics of this era it benefits from a full clean and oil refresh to run consistently.