Dateline T-276
1963–1964 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Automatic
About the Dateline T-276
Made from 1963 through 1964, the Dateline T-276 runs on Hamilton's caliber 694A automatic and comes in a 14K yellow gold case with a round profile and swept lugs. The dial is silver with applied gold markers and a date window at 3 o'clock, with a sweep seconds hand rather than a subseconds dial. The Dateline family was Hamilton's dedicated line for calendar-equipped automatics, and the T-276 represents the higher-end side of that lineup in solid gold rather than Gold Filled or plated.
Solid 14K cases from this era wear well but show their age honestly, so check the lugs and case edges for wear from polishing or everyday use. The silver dial with applied gold markers is relatively clean visually, which means any spotting, discoloration, or damage around the date window will be obvious. Finding one with the original dial in good shape and an unpolished case is the goal.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Dateline automatics as offering continuous carefree time with sweep-second accuracy and a rugged Weatherproof build that worked as well for stress wear as for dress wear. The T-276 was priced at $89.50 on a strap in 1964, which positioned it as an accessible but well-specified option in Hamilton's automatic calendar lineup.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1963
1964
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely around the date window at 3 o'clock for any cracking, separation, or discoloration. The applied gold markers should sit flush and even. Spotting or fading on a silver dial like this is hard to miss and harder to fix without a full redial. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches, chips, or crazing. Replacement crystals for round cases are usually findable, but confirm the fit is correct before buying a spare. |
| Movement | The 694A is an automatic with a date complication, and the small spring-loaded parts in that date mechanism are easy to lose during a service. Ask whether it has been serviced recently and by whom. Dried lubricants on a movement this age will create enough friction to stop it or cause poor timekeeping, so a service history matters. |
| Case | This is a 14K yellow gold case, so check for signs of over-polishing, which rounds off the lugs and erases crisp edges. A lightly worn but unpolished example is preferable to one that has been aggressively buffed. Case backs can be tight on these, so any signs of prying or marring around the back are worth noting. |
| Crown | The crown should pull out smoothly to set both the time and the date. Any stiffness, slipping, or wobble points to wear in the stem or crown tube. Hamilton marketed this watch as Weatherproof, but vintage seals cannot be relied on, so treat it accordingly. |
The Movement
The caliber 694A is a 17-jewel automatic that winds from wrist motion in both directions and includes a quickset-style date function. It is a solid, serviceable movement that Hamilton used across several of its Dateline and Accumatic models in the early to mid 1960s. Like any automatic of this age, it needs fresh lubricants to run reliably, and the date mechanism adds a few small components that require careful hands during a service.