Dateline A-579
1964–1967 · Stainless Steel · Automatic
About the Dateline A-579
Made from 1964 through 1967, the Dateline A-579 is part of Hamilton's Dateline family of calendar automatics, a line built around the practical appeal of an automatic movement paired with a date display. The A-579 runs on the caliber 64A, a 21-jewel automatic, and came in a cushion-shaped case offered in three materials: 18k yellow gold, stainless steel, and a 10k yellow Gold Filled and stainless steel combination. The dial is silver with applied silver markers and no hour numerals, keeping the look clean and uncluttered, with a date window and sweep seconds hand rounding out the package.
Applied silver markers on a silver dial can be tricky to assess from photos, so handling one in person matters. The markers themselves are prone to losing their adhesion over decades, and any separation or gaps around the base of a marker is worth flagging before purchase.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1964 catalog grouped the Dateline models under its broader pitch for automatic convenience, describing the line as offering carefree, self-winding function with weatherproof construction. The stainless steel version with bracelet was listed at $85.00, which positioned it as a practical but respectable choice in Hamilton's automatic lineup for that year.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1964
1965
1966
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at each applied silver marker. Markers that have separated or shifted from the dial surface are a common issue on dials this age and can be expensive to address properly. Check the date window for crispness and make sure the date disc underneath is the correct color and font style for the period. |
| Crystal | Inspect for chips, deep scratches, and crazing. Replacement crystals are available, but fitting one correctly on a cushion case with a reflector ring takes care. Confirm the crystal sits flush with no separation at the edges. |
| Movement | The caliber 64A is an automatic and should wind from wrist motion. Oil dries out on movements this age, and when it does, friction builds enough to cause erratic timekeeping or stop the watch entirely. A movement that runs but gains or loses significantly probably needs a full service. |
| Case | If you're looking at the gold-filled variant, inspect the high-wear areas on the case back and lugs for brass showing through the gold layer. |
| Crown | The two-piece stem design on this caliber means the crown can detach from the stem if pulled with too much force. Confirm the crown threads on smoothly, seats properly in the closed position, and that the date sets correctly when pulled to the appropriate position. |
The Movement
The caliber 64A is a 21-jewel automatic movement, meaning it winds itself through the natural motion of the wrist via a rotating rotor. Hamilton used this caliber across several Dateline models in the mid-1960s. The higher jewel count relative to basic manual-wind movements of the era reflects the additional components involved in the automatic winding system and contributes to smoother operation under normal wear conditions.