Drew
1957–1958 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate / Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Drew
Made from 1957 through 1958, the Drew pairs Hamilton's caliber 673 manual wind movement with a 10K yellow rolled gold case and stainless steel back. The dial is white with embossed gold numerals and markers, giving it a subtle texture and depth that a printed dial simply can't match. The Drew is part of a small family that includes the Drew B, which shares the same basic platform but differs in dial layout and hand style.
The embossed dial is the thing to scrutinize on any Drew. Because the texture is part of the dial surface itself rather than applied on top, damage or amateur refinishing tends to be obvious, and a well-preserved original dial makes a real difference in how the watch presents. The two dial variants break down clearly: the 1957 version uses numerals and a small crosshair subseconds register, while the Drew B uses markers with a 12 at the top and a wider crosshair subseconds register, along with Pointex or Alpha style hands.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Drew simply in 1957 as having a 10K yellow rolled gold case with stainless steel back and an embossed dial. It was available on a bracelet for $55.00 or on a strap for $49.50.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1957
1958
What to Look For
| Dial | Examine the embossed surface closely. The texture should look even and consistent, not patchy or flattened in spots. Refinishing an embossed dial is genuinely difficult, and a poorly redone dial will show it. Look for the subseconds register style to confirm which variant you have: a small crosshair points to the 1957 version, a wider crosshair to the Drew B. |
| Crystal | Expect the original to be acrylic. Light scratches can be polished out, but deep gouges or crazing mean a replacement is needed. Make sure any replacement fits the bezel cleanly with no gaps or separation from the bezel edge. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. The caliber 673 will stop outright when oil has dried out, so a watch that runs but runs rough is a sign it needs attention soon. A recently serviced example should keep reasonable time and wind smoothly without grittiness. |
| Case | The rolled gold finish on the case can wear through to the base metal at lug edges and high-contact areas over time. Check those spots carefully. The stainless steel back should be free of deep tool marks from improper opening attempts. |
| Crown | The crown should seat firmly at rest and pull to the setting position cleanly. A crown that feels loose or that slips in the setting position may indicate a worn or broken set lever spring, which is a known weak point on this caliber. |
The Movement
The caliber 673 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement built by Hamilton in the United States. It winds from the crown, runs a traditional lever escapement, and carries a subseconds hand at 6 o'clock. It's a dependable workhorse, but like any movement of this age it needs clean oil to run well, and a long-unserviced example will often simply stop rather than run badly.