Fontainebleau B
1968–1971 · Stainless Steel / 10k Rolled Gold Plate · Automatic
About the Fontainebleau B
Made from 1968 through 1971, the Fontainebleau B pairs Hamilton's caliber 64A automatic movement with a cushion-shaped case available in either stainless steel or a stainless steel and 10K yellow Rolled Gold Plate combination. The square dial carries a silver finish with applied silver markers and a date display at 3 o'clock, with a sweep seconds hand rather than a subseconds dial. The Fontainebleau B belongs to a broader group of Hamilton dress automatics from this period that leaned into clean, architectural case shapes, and the cushion form gives it a presence that reads as both vintage and quietly modern.
Applied markers on a silver dial are worth scrutinizing closely on any example, since loose or missing indices are common on watches that have seen rough handling or improper servicing over the decades. The two-case-material configuration means you may also encounter variation in surface condition between the steel and the RGP portions, particularly if the gold finish has worn at high-contact points. Finding a clean example with all markers seated properly and an unpolished case makes a meaningful difference in how this one wears.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1968 catalog listed the Fontainebleau B at $125 and noted it as waterproof and dustproof with seals intact, which was a meaningful selling point for a dress automatic at that price point.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1968
1970
1971
What to Look For
| Dial | Inspect each applied silver marker carefully. Look for any that are detaching at one edge, sitting crooked, or missing entirely. These are small parts that can shift during service or over years of wear, and replacements are not easy to source. Also check for any spotting or discoloration in the silver finish around the date window. |
| Crystal | The cushion case shape often uses a fitted crystal with a specific profile. Check for chips along the edges where the crystal meets the bezel, and look for any crazing or deep scratching in the center. A fogged or poorly fitting crystal can indicate that someone has tried a non-original replacement. |
| Movement | The 64A is an automatic, so give it some wrist movement and let it run before judging it. Oil dries out in movements this age, and a watch that winds but runs rough or stops after a short time likely needs a full service. Let it run for several hours and check it against a known timepiece. |
| Case | On the two-tone RGP and steel version, check the high-wear areas, specifically the lugs and case sides, for worn-through gold finish. Some honest wear is expected, but significant wear-through changes the look considerably. On either version, look for evidence of polishing that has softened the original case lines. |
| Crown | The 64A uses a two-piece stem design where the crown is intended to separate from the inner stem during setting. Pull the crown gently to the setting position and check that it engages smoothly. A crown that feels loose at rest or wobbles in the tube may indicate a worn or improperly fitted stem. |
The Movement
The caliber 64A is a 21-jewel automatic movement built for Hamilton's dress watch line of this era. It winds from wrist motion via a rotor and runs a sweep seconds hand, which gives the dial a clean, uninterrupted look. It is a reliable movement when properly serviced, though like any automatic from this period it benefits from fresh lubricants to run at its best.