Dateline A-687
1971–1972 · Dateline A-688 (1971) Gold Electroplate · Automatic
About the Dateline A-687
The Dateline A-687 was produced from 1971 through 1972, placing it in Hamilton's Dateline family of automatic date watches from the early 1970s. The Dateline line was Hamilton's answer to growing consumer demand for date complications in everyday automatic watches, and the A-687 fits that practical, dressy-but-wearable character. Under the case runs the caliber 694A, an automatic movement with a date function built into the works. The dial carries applied indices, giving it a clean, finished look that holds up well against the plainer printed dials of its era.
Finding an A-687 in solid shape means checking that date complication carefully. The mechanism involves small spring-loaded components that are easily damaged or lost during careless servicing, and a watch that has been opened by someone unfamiliar with the complication may have a date function that jumps poorly, sets stiffly, or doesn't advance cleanly at midnight. The applied indices are also worth a close look, since any that have lifted or shifted will affect both appearance and value.
From the Catalog
In the 1971 catalog, Hamilton grouped the Dateline A-687 within the Dateline family, a line of automatic watches that ran from 1963 through the mid-1970s and represented Hamilton's push into sportier, more contemporary styling during that era. The A-series Dateline models were positioned as versatile automatics suited to everyday wear, carrying the reliability of an automatic movement in cases designed to appeal to a broader market than Hamilton's traditional dress watch offerings. No original retail price has been confirmed for the A-687 specifically, and no official description text survives from the catalog entry. The model's brief two-year production run, from 1971 through 1972, with documentation from only the single 1971 catalog year, suggests it was a limited addition to the Dateline lineup rather than a long-term anchor model.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1971
What to Look For
| Dial | Look at each applied index under good light. Any that have lifted slightly from the dial surface, shifted position, or show adhesive residue around the base need attention. Check the date window for a clean, correctly centered date disc with no fading or misregistration. |
| Crystal | Inspect for chips, deep scratches, and crazing. Replacement crystals for early 1970s Hamilton date models can be specific fits, so a missing or wrong-profile crystal is more than a cosmetic issue. |
| Movement | Dried oil generates enough friction to stop a movement outright, and on a watch of this age it's the rule rather than the exception. Confirm the watch is running and advances the date cleanly at midnight. A sluggish or partial date change usually means the movement needs a full service. |
| Case | Check the case back carefully. If it shows evidence of forced opening, like tool marks or a bent lip, the case may not seal properly and the movement may have been serviced carelessly. Look at the lugs for wear and confirm they are not thinning at the drill holes. |
| Crown | Work the crown through all positions: winding, and date-setting if the movement supports a separate setting position. The crown should engage cleanly, with no slipping during winding and no excessive play when setting. |
The Movement
The caliber 694A is an automatic movement with a date complication, part of Hamilton's line of practical, reliable automatics from the early 1970s. It winds via a rotor, so it keeps itself wound through normal wear, and the date advances automatically at midnight. Like most movements of its generation, it benefits from fresh lubricants on a regular service cycle, and the date mechanism in particular has small spring-loaded parts that require careful handling during any service work.