Fontainebleau
1968–1971 · Stainless Steel / Gold Electroplate · Automatic
About the Fontainebleau
Made from 1968 through 1971, the Fontainebleau is part of Hamilton's Dateline family, which paired automatic movements with date displays in a range of dressy case shapes. This model wears a tonneau case available in stainless steel or gold plate, with a silver cushion dial carrying applied silver markers and a date window at 3 o'clock. Power comes from the caliber 64A, a 21-jewel automatic that keeps the profile slim while handling the date complication neatly. A related variant, the Fontainebleue B, shares the same design lineage.
Applied silver markers on a silver dial can lose their adhesion over the decades, so check carefully that all markers are seated flush and none are separating or missing. The gold-plated version is common enough, but the plating condition varies considerably, and worn-through edges on the lugs are worth examining before buying. The hidden lug style gives the case a clean look that holds up well, but it also makes case back removal a bit more involved than it looks.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1968 catalog listed the Fontainebleau at $125, describing the silver cushion dial with applied silver markers and date at 3. Hamilton also noted the watch as waterproof and dustproof, with the caveat that seals needed to be intact for that rating to hold.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1968
1970
1971
What to Look For
| Dial | Check that all applied silver markers are present, flush, and not separating at the edges. The silver dial can show spotting or oxidation near markers where moisture has crept in over the years. Date disc condition is worth confirming too, look for crispness and even color. |
| Crystal | This case style uses a fitted crystal, and replacements can be tricky to source correctly. Inspect for deep scratches or chips at the edges, and confirm the crystal sits flush with no gaps around the perimeter. |
| Movement | The 64A is an automatic, so give the watch some wrist movement and let it run before judging it. Dried lubricants are a real concern in any movement this age, and a watch that runs initially may still need service soon, sluggish amplitude or intermittent stopping are both signs the oil has turned. |
| Case | On gold-plated examples, check the lug tips and case edges for wear-through to the base metal. The tonneau shape holds polish well when cared for, but heavy buffing can round the case edges and obscure the original lines. Stainless examples tend to hold up better overall. |
| Crown | The two-piece stem design used on many Hamilton automatics of this era means the crown can separate from the stem if someone pulls too firmly on the crown. Make sure the crown is secure, threads correctly, and that the watch winds and sets smoothly without slipping. |
The Movement
The caliber 64A is a 21-jewel automatic movement from Hamilton's Swiss-era production. It winds from wrist motion via a bidirectional rotor and drives a date display, keeping the complication legible without adding much bulk to the case. The 64A is a solid performer and generally responds well to a proper service when lubricants have dried out.