Day 'N Date ST-5503
1972–1973 · Stainless
About the Day 'N Date ST-5503
Made from 1972 through 1973, the Day 'N Date ST-5503 runs on Hamilton's caliber 806 and comes in a round stainless steel case with hidden lugs. It's part of Hamilton's Day 'N Date family, which brought the dual day-and-date complication to Hamilton's lineup during the early 1970s. The charcoal dial and clean case design gave it a restrained, professional look that worked well against the sportier options Hamilton was offering at the same time.
Finding one in honest condition is the main challenge with the ST-5503. The charcoal dial can show fading or spotting over fifty-plus years, and because these were worn as everyday watches, the cases often show real use. The applied indices are worth a close look too, since they can pull away from the dial or tarnish if moisture has gotten in at any point.
From the Catalog
Hamilton offered the ST-5503 in two configurations: with a strap at $89.95 or on a bracelet at $100.00, describing it simply as a stainless steel quick-change II with a charcoal dial. The quick-change designation referred to the ability to swap between strap and bracelet, which was a practical selling point in the early 1970s.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1972
1973
What to Look For
| Dial | Look carefully at the charcoal dial under good light. Fading tends to appear unevenly, and any moisture intrusion over the years can leave spotting or haziness near the edges. The applied indices should sit flat and evenly against the dial surface. Any that have separated from the dial or show tarnish underneath are a sign of past moisture exposure. |
| Crystal | Check the crystal for deep scratches or crazing. A lightly scratched mineral or acrylic crystal can often be polished or replaced without drama, but a cracked or severely crazed one suggests the watch may have taken a harder knock at some point. |
| Movement | Give the watch a gentle shake and listen for the rotor. It should spin freely and quietly. If the watch has been sitting unworn for years, dried oil can create enough friction to stop the movement entirely. Ask about service history, and factor in a service cost if none is documented. |
| Case | The hidden lug design is clean but means the lugs themselves are tucked under the case edge and harder to inspect. Run a fingernail along the underside to feel for cracks or damage. Check the case back for dents or signs that it has been pried open clumsily, which can distort the seating edge and make resealing difficult. |
| Crown | Work the crown through all its positions. It should pull out to the date-set and time-set positions with clear, distinct steps and return smoothly. Any looseness or grinding at the stem suggests wear at the setting mechanism or a bent stem that will need attention. |
The Movement
The caliber 806 is a Swiss-made automatic with a day and date complication, giving you both the full day of the week and the date through two windows at the top of the dial. It's a solid, serviceable movement that Hamilton used across several models in this era. Like most automatics of this age, it benefits from a fresh service if it hasn't had one recently.