Diamond Tempus
1957–1959 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Diamond Tempus
Made from 1957 through 1959, the Diamond Tempus is one of Hamilton's more refined dress watches from the late 1950s, built on the caliber 753 manual wind movement and housed in a 14K yellow gold round case. The dial is silver in a two-toned finish, set with rhodium-plated 14K gold numerals at 12 and 11 diamonds serving as the remaining hour markers, with a sweep seconds hand completing the layout. Hamilton offered this model in two distinct dial configurations: a standard version and a Time Zone dial, the latter marked with Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific zones, which was genuinely useful for travelers and businessmen of the era. At $450 in 1957, this was a serious purchase, positioned firmly in Hamilton's upper tier.
The Time Zone variant is the more unusual find today, and locating one with its zone markings still crisp and legible is not a given after six-plus decades. On any Diamond Tempus, the diamonds themselves deserve close attention, both for presence and for the condition of their settings, as loose stones are not uncommon in watches that have lived full lives. The silver dial, when well-preserved, has a character that gold dials simply do not replicate.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1957 catalog described the Diamond Tempus as an 18-jewel watch in a 14K yellow gold case with rhodium-plated 14K gold numerals and 11 diamonds on a sterling silver dial, available in both a standard configuration and a Time Zone version marked for all four continental U.S. time zones. Either way, the price was $450, which in period dollars put it in serious company.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1957
1958
1959
What to Look For
| Dial | Check the silver dial carefully for spotting, oxidation, or moisture damage around the diamond settings. If it's a Time Zone dial, confirm all four zone labels are legible and that the printing hasn't faded or been touched up. Two-toned dials can look dramatically different under different lighting, so examine it in person if possible. |
| Crystal | The original crystal is likely an acrylic. Deep scratches can be polished out, but cracks or chips mean replacement. A well-fitting, optically clear crystal matters on a dial this detailed. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. In a caliber 753 that has gone years without attention, dried oil creates enough friction to stop the movement or cause erratic timekeeping, and the damage to pivots and jewels accumulates quietly. A recently serviced example is worth paying more for. |
| Case | The 14K yellow gold case should show honest wear consistent with its age, not aggressive polishing that has softened the original lines. Case backs on gold dress watches of this era can be tricky to open without leaving marks, so look at the case back edge for evidence of improper tool use. |
| Crown | Confirm the crown is original and that it engages and winds smoothly. A mismatched or poorly fitting crown on a 14K gold case is both a functional and aesthetic concern. |
The Movement
The caliber 753 is a 19-jewel manual wind movement from Hamilton's American-made lineup. It winds and sets conventionally, keeps reliable time when properly serviced, and has a sweep seconds complication rather than the more common subseconds dial, which gives the dial a cleaner, more modern look for its era. The 753 is not a complicated movement, but like all movements of its age, it rewards regular service.