Errol
1955–1957 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Errol
Made from 1955 through 1957, the Errol is a small, angular 10K yellow Gold Filled dress watch running Hamilton's caliber 770, a 22-jewel American-made manual wind movement. The case measures 25mm wide and 30mm long with hooded lugs, giving it a sculpted, architectural look that was characteristic of Hamilton's mid-1950s men's dress line. The two-tone sterling silver dial carries applied 18K gold numerals and diamond-shaped square markers at 12, 3, and 9, with numerals filling the remaining hour positions except at 6, where a subseconds register sits. The Errol belongs to the broader family of 770-powered dress watches Hamilton produced through the 1950s, a period when the caliber 770 was Hamilton's flagship manual wind movement.
Finding an Errol in good shape means paying close attention to that two-tone dial, which uses a butler finish that can show its age in the recessed areas long before the applied markers show any wear. The 18K gold numerals and squares were a genuine selling point in 1955, and intact originals still hold their warmth and presence well.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Errol in 1955 as having a 10K yellow gold-filled case with 18K gold numerals and squares on a two-tone finished sterling silver dial. It retailed at $85.00 with bracelet, or $79.50 on a strap.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1955
1957
What to Look For
| Dial | The two-tone butler finish is the first thing to examine. Look for uneven darkening, spotting, or moisture damage in the recessed areas. Confirm the applied gold numerals and square markers are all present and sitting flat, none separated or missing. The subseconds register at 6 o'clock should be clean and legible. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or crazing. A worn or cracked crystal on a watch this size can be harder to source than expected, and a poor-fitting replacement will affect how the dial reads. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. The caliber 770's movement ring is prone to verdigris, a greenish corrosion that develops when moisture gets in and reacts with the metal over time. A watch that hasn't been serviced in years may also have dried oil creating enough friction to stop it or run poorly. Both are correctable, but worth factoring into what you're paying. |
| Case | Look for dents, chips, or repairs to the lug caps. Gold-filled case backs can be tricky to open without the right tools, so check for evidence of prying around the back edge. |
| Crown | The crown should pull out cleanly and wind smoothly without slipping. A worn or replaced crown on a watch this age may not match the original finish or fit the stem correctly. |
The Movement
The caliber 770 is a 22-jewel manual wind movement made in Hamilton's Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility. It was one of Hamilton's most refined domestic movements of the era, with a higher jewel count than many of its contemporaries and a reputation for solid, reliable timekeeping when properly maintained. Winding is done daily through the crown, and the movement's relatively compact footprint suited the slim dress watches it was built into throughout the mid-1950s.