Day 'N Date 5009
1973 · Stainless
About the Day 'N Date 5009
Made only in 1973, the Day 'N Date 5009 is a stainless steel automatic from Hamilton's Day 'N Date family, offering both day and date displays through the Quick Change II complication. The stainless steel version carried an original retail price of $119.95 on a strap. Like the rest of the Day 'N Date line, it was aimed squarely at buyers who wanted a practical, legible dress-casual watch with a full calendar display and the durability of a steel case.
Dials on these can vary, with blue and brown versions documented across the Day 'N Date references from this period, so confirming the actual dial color before buying is worth doing rather than assuming. Condition on surviving examples varies considerably given how actively these were worn, and the hidden lug design means case wear tends to concentrate in ways that aren't always obvious at first glance.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1972 catalog listed the stainless steel 5009 at $119.95 on a strap and $129.95 on a bracelet, described simply as a stainless steel Quick Change II with blue dial. A gold electroplate variant with brown dial also appeared in the same catalog period at a slightly higher price point.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1972
1973
What to Look For
| Dial | Check for fading, spotting, or moisture damage. The dial should be clean and even in color across the full surface. Confirm whether you have a blue or brown dial example, as both versions exist within this reference. |
| Crystal | Look for deep scratches or crazing. A replacement crystal is inexpensive, but make sure any replacement is correctly fitted and seated flush with the bezel. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. Dried oil is a real concern in any automatic that has been sitting, and a watch this age with no recent service should be assumed to need one. Confirm the day and date both advance cleanly through the Quick Change II mechanism. |
| Case | The hidden lug design can conceal dings and wear that aren't visible head-on. Inspect the case from the side and examine the lug area carefully. Case backs on watches like this can be tricky to open without the right tools, so look for evidence of improper opening attempts. |
| Crown | Test all crown positions. Day and date should set cleanly and independently. A crown that slips or feels loose may indicate a worn stem or setting mechanism. |
The Movement
The Quick Change II complication gives the 5009 independent day and date setting, a practical feature that made the Day 'N Date references popular daily wearers. The movement is an automatic, self-winding through a rotor, which means consistent wear keeps it running without manual winding.