Emery
1951–1952 · 14k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Emery
Made from 1951 through 1952, the Emery is a cushion-cased dress watch running Hamilton's caliber 747 with 17 jewels and a manual wind movement. The case is 14K yellow Gold Filled, measuring 26mm wide and 28mm long, with a dial in sterling silver carrying applied 18K gold numerals and markers at the 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12 positions, plus a subseconds register. Hamilton positioned this one squarely in the dignified end of their dress lineup, describing it as "expressly for the man who prizes dignity." The Emery is part of Hamilton's broader mid-century American dress watch offering, a family of manual-wind cases built around the reliable 700-series calibers.
Silver dials on watches this age are worth inspecting carefully. The finish can develop a rich patina that many collectors appreciate, but it can also show peeling or fading, especially if someone has cleaned it aggressively or exposed it to moisture over the decades. The applied 18K gold numerals are a genuine selling point on this model, and finding a dial where they're still crisp and sitting flush is the real score.
From the Catalog
Hamilton offered the Emery in 1951 with a sterling silver dial, 18K gold numerals and markers, and a natural gold-filled case. It was available on a leather strap for $64.00 or on a bracelet for $71.50, with the 1951 catalog noting 17 jewels as standard.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1951
1952
What to Look For
| Dial | Silver dials are sensitive. Look for signs of moisture damage, separation around the applied gold numerals and markers, or fading at the center. The 18K gold numeral and marker construction is a quality detail, but applied pieces can loosen over time, so inspect each position closely under decent light. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches, crazing, or chips. A cloudy or heavily scratched crystal can be replaced, but factor that into your assessment. Make sure it's seating properly against the case with no gaps. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. The caliber 747 needs clean oil to run reliably, and a watch that's been sitting for years may have enough dried lubricant buildup to cause friction and stalling. A recently serviced example is worth prioritizing. |
| Case | Gold-filled cases can wear through at high-contact points like the lugs and caseback edges. Look for brass showing through, and check that the proportions still look right, since polishing over the decades can soften the original lines. The case back can be snug to open, so don't mistake resistance for damage. |
| Crown | Make sure the crown screws in or pulls out smoothly and that hand-setting feels positive without slop. A worn or replaced crown is a minor issue, but confirm it matches the case finish and fits the stem correctly. |
The Movement
The caliber 747 is one of Hamilton's American-made manual wind movements, running at 18,000 beats per hour with 17 jewels. It's a straightforward, well-built movement from Hamilton's Lancaster, Pennsylvania production, and it responds well to a proper service. Not an especially complex movement to work on, but like any vintage caliber, it needs clean oil and careful handling to run the way it should.