Dateline A-684
1971–1973 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate / Stainless Steel
About the Dateline A-684
Made from 1971 through 1973, the Dateline A-684 is part of Hamilton's Dateline family of automatic date watches, running on the caliber 694A. The case is 10k Rolled Gold Plate with a stainless steel back, round in shape, and the watch carries a white/silver dial. At $125 in 1972, it occupied a solid mid-range position in Hamilton's lineup for the period.
Rolled Gold Plate cases from this era vary a lot in terms of how well the finish has held up, so condition of the case surface is one of the first things worth examining closely. The white/silver dial should be clean and even, with no separation or bubbling around the edges, which can happen when moisture gets past an aging crown seal. Finding one with an honest, unpolished case and a crisp dial is the goal.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1972 catalog listed the Dateline A-684 at $125, describing it simply by its case specification of 10k rolled gold plate with a stainless steel back. The 1973 catalog added a quick-correct date designation, confirming the date complication was a selling point Hamilton highlighted directly.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1971
1972
1973
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the white/silver dial for any spotting, discoloration near the edges, or signs of moisture damage. The area around the date window is particularly prone to showing wear or staining on dials this age. |
| Crystal | Check the crystal for deep scratches or crazing. Replacement crystals for round cases this size are generally available, but confirm the fit is correct before buying if the crystal has already been swapped. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. 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. A movement that hasn't been recently serviced may be running on dried lubricants, which creates enough friction to cause erratic timekeeping or stop it entirely. |
| Case | Rolled gold plate can wear through to the base metal at the lugs and high points of the case over time. Examine those areas carefully under decent light. The stainless steel back should be free of deep tool marks from previous openings. |
| Crown | The crown on a watch this age seals the movement from dust and moisture. Make sure it threads or pushes in firmly with no wobble, and confirm the date corrector function works smoothly without resistance. |
The Movement
The caliber 694A is a Swiss-made automatic movement with a date complication, running at 19,800 beats per hour. It uses a quick-correct date function, meaning the date can be advanced independently without running the hands through a full 24-hour cycle. Jewel count and additional specifications for this caliber support reliable daily wear, though like any movement of this vintage, it benefits greatly from a fresh service.