Day 'N Date 6003
1971 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate · Automatic
About the Day 'N Date 6003
Made only in 1971, the Day 'N Date 6003 is part of Hamilton's Day 'N Date family, which paired a day display with a date window in a single watch. The case combines a 10K yellow electroplated shell with a stainless steel caseback, a construction Hamilton used across several models in this period to balance the look of gold with the durability of steel. The 6003 appears in a single catalog year, which keeps the supply naturally limited.
The electroplated case is the first thing worth examining closely on any 6003 that surfaces. Wear through the plating is common after fifty-plus years, particularly on the lugs and case edges, and the extent of that wear will tell you a lot about how the watch was used and stored.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1971
What to Look For
| Dial | Look carefully at the day and date windows. The text in each should be crisp, not faded or water-stained. Check around the edges of the dial where moisture damage and aging tend to show first. |
| Crystal | Inspect for chips, deep scratches, or a poor-fitting replacement. A correct period crystal makes a real difference in how the dial reads. |
| Movement | Confirm both the day and date advance cleanly and fully. Sluggish or partial changes are a sign the movement needs service. Dried oil can create enough friction to stop an automatic cold, so ask about service history before committing. |
| Case | The 10K electroplating wears through over time, especially on the lugs and high-contact areas. Assess the plating honestly and factor the condition into your expectations. Some wear is normal; heavy wear through to bare metal is worth pricing accordingly. |
| Crown | Cycle through all positions. The crown should move in and out with clean detents and not feel loose or wobbly, which can indicate wear in the stem or setting mechanism. |
The Movement
The 6003 runs on an automatic movement, meaning the rotor winds the mainspring through natural wrist motion. Day and date complications add more parts to the equation than a simple time-only movement, and those additional wheels and levers need clean, fresh lubrication to operate reliably. Any automatic that has been sitting unworn for years should be treated as overdue for service until proven otherwise.