Day 'N Date 5002
1971 · Stainless Steel · Automatic
About the Day 'N Date 5002
The Day 'N Date 5002 was made only in 1971, giving it a single catalog year in Hamilton's Day 'N Date family, a line focused on combining day and date display in accessible automatic packages. The stainless steel case pairs with either a silver or gold dial, and the watch runs on an automatic movement.
Finding one in solid shape takes some patience. The silver and gold dial variants are distinct enough that collectors often have a preference, and it's worth being specific about which you're after.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1971
What to Look For
| Dial | Both the silver and gold dial versions were made. Check for spotting, fading at the edges, or damage around the day and date windows, which are common trouble spots on any watch with cutouts in the dial. Make sure the indices are intact and sitting flat. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches, chips at the edge, or a poor-fitting replacement. A crystal that doesn't seat correctly can affect moisture resistance and looks wrong immediately. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. Dried oil is a genuine concern in any automatic that has been sitting, and it creates enough friction to stop the movement entirely. Make sure the rotor spins freely, the watch winds up and runs, and that both the day and date advance cleanly through the night cycle. |
| Case | Examine the hood edges and underside of the lugs for dings, polishing damage, or thinning. Case backs on watches from this era can be stubborn to open, so if a seller can't confirm the movement has been looked at, factor that into your expectations. |
| Crown | Work the crown through all positions. Day and date setting functions should engage crisply and release without binding. A crown that's hard to pull or feels loose in any position may need attention. |
The Movement
The Day 'N Date 5002 runs an automatic movement, meaning it winds itself through the motion of the wearer's wrist via a rotor. Automatic movements from this Hamilton era are generally sturdy, but any example that has been sitting unserviced for years should be treated as needing a full service before regular wear.