Dateline A-595
1972 · Stainless
About the Dateline A-595
Made only in 1972, the Dateline A-595 is part of Hamilton's Dateline family of automatic date watches from the early 1970s. It runs on the caliber 694A and comes in a round stainless steel case measuring 47mm in length and 12mm thick, with integrated lugs that give it a distinctly period look. Hamilton offered it two ways: on a strap at $95 or on a bracelet at $105, both with what the catalog called a black and white dial.
The black and white dial with applied indices is a clean, legible setup that holds up well when it hasn't been exposed to moisture or UV damage over the decades. The integrated lug configuration is one of those details that makes early 1970s Hamilton design so recognizable, and finding one with the case geometry still crisp and unpolished is worth the patience.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1972 catalog described the A-595 straightforwardly as a stainless steel Quick-Change date watch with a black and white dial, offered on a strap for $95 or on a bracelet for $105, reflecting Hamilton's typical practice of pricing bracelet configurations at a modest premium.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1972
1973
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the black and white dial for fading, moisture damage, or spotting under the crystal. The applied indices can come loose or develop corrosion at their bases, so inspect each one around its edges. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or crazing in the acrylic crystal. Replacement acrylics are generally available, but confirm the profile fits the case correctly before committing. |
| Movement | The 694A is an automatic with a date complication, and the small spring-loaded parts in the date mechanism are easy to lose during a service. Ask whether it has been recently serviced and by whom, since dried lubricants in a movement this age can create enough friction to cause erratic timekeeping or a complete stop. |
| Case | The integrated lugs are a defining feature of this reference, and they're also the first place to show wear or overzealous polishing. Look for sharp transitions where the hood meets the case body. A heavily buffed example loses a lot of its character. |
| Crown | Test the crown through all its positions. On a date watch like this, the quickset or date-adjust function should engage cleanly. A crown that slips or won't seat properly is a sign the stem or setting lever needs attention. |
The Movement
The caliber 694A is a Swiss-made automatic movement with a date complication. It winds itself through a conventional rotor and uses that stored energy to advance the date display along with keeping time. At this age, a movement that hasn't been serviced in years will benefit significantly from fresh lubrication and a thorough clean.