Day 'N Date 6001
1969–1971 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate · Automatic
About the Day 'N Date 6001
The Day 'N Date 6001 was produced from 1969 through 1971, offering Hamilton's combined day and date complication in a 10K yellow Rolled Gold Plate case with swept lugs. It runs on the caliber 826, an automatic movement well-suited to the practical, everyday character this model was designed around. The Day 'N Date family gave buyers a full calendar readout at a price point that put Hamilton's automatic quality within reach of a broader audience.
Rolled Gold Plate cases from this era vary considerably in how well they've held up, look closely at the lugs and case edges, where plating tends to wear through first on pieces that saw regular use. The caliber 826 is a capable automatic, but any example that has been sitting unworn for years deserves a fresh service before daily wear.
From the Catalog
Hamilton offered the 6001 in yellow with a strap at $155.00, positioning it as an accessible entry into the Day 'N Date line for buyers who wanted a practical complication in a dressy-enough case.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1971
1975
What to Look For
| Dial | The dial finish and hour marker details are not fully documented for every example, so inspect in person. Look for even color across the surface, no peeling or flaking, and clean day and date windows with legible text. Moisture intrusion can cause subtle spotting that is easy to miss in low light. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or crazing. A worn crystal on a watch this age is expected, but a well-fitted replacement should sit flush and seal properly against the case. |
| Movement | Dried oil is a genuine concern in any automatic that has been sitting. On the caliber 826, enough friction can build up to stop the movement entirely. Confirm it winds smoothly, runs consistently, and that both the day and date advance cleanly without hesitation. |
| Case | Rolled gold plate wears through with time, particularly at the lug edges and high contact points on the case sides. Inspect those areas carefully under good light. Some wear is normal and honest, but worn-through spots that expose base metal will continue to expand. |
| Crown | The case back on these can be tricky to open, and not every seller or shop has handled one correctly. Check for tool marks around the case back edge. Also confirm the crown seats firmly and that the day and date can be set without the crown slipping. |
The Movement
The caliber 826 is a Swiss-made automatic with a day and date complication, giving the wearer both displays without the added bulk that more elaborate movements sometimes require. It winds via a bidirectional rotor and keeps reasonable accuracy when serviced and worn regularly. The day and date mechanism involves small, lightweight components that can become sluggish when oil dries out, so a clean, well-lubricated movement makes a real difference in how crisply the displays advance.