Harrow
1958–1959 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate / Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Harrow
Made from 1958 through 1959, the Harrow is a rectangular dress watch from Hamilton's late-1950s American-made lineup, running on the caliber 671, a 17-jewel manual wind movement. The case is 10K yellow Rolled Gold Plate with a stainless steel back, and the defining feature is the embossed dial, which gives the silver surface a subtle three-dimensional texture rather than a flat printed look. Sweep seconds was included as a standard feature, which was a practical touch for a dress-oriented rectangular case. The Harrow is closely related to the Standwick, sharing the same general design family.
Finding one in clean condition means paying close attention to the dial, because the embossed texture tends to show its age more honestly than a flat dial would. The textured band outside the minute track is a specific detail worth examining up close, as any moisture intrusion or improper cleaning can dull or flatten the relief. The fact that this model was available either on bracelet at $65 or strap at $55 means you may occasionally find examples that spent their lives on a bracelet, which can affect lug and case wear differently than strap-worn examples.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1958 catalog described the Harrow simply and directly: a 10K yellow rolled gold plate case with a stainless steel back, an embossed dial, and sweep seconds. Pricing started at $55 on a strap and rose to $65 on a bracelet, putting it in the mid-range of Hamilton's dress watch offerings for that year.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1958
What to Look For
| Dial | Examine the embossed numerals and markers carefully. The three-dimensional relief on this dial is easy to damage through improper cleaning or moisture, and any softening or flattening of the texture is a sign the dial has been compromised. Look at the textured band outside the minute track under good light and magnification. |
| Crystal | Check for chips, crazing, or a poor-fitting replacement. The original crystal on models like this may accept a reflector ring, so confirm that any crystal present is properly seated and that the fit is tight with no gap around the perimeter. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. Dried oil in the caliber 671 creates enough friction to stop the movement entirely, so a watch sitting still in a display case is not a good sign. A recently serviced example should run consistently and wind smoothly without grittiness. |
| Case | Look at the lugs and case edges for brassing, which is where the rolled gold plate has worn through to the base metal. On a watch this age, some wear is normal, but deep brassing on the lugs or case flanks will affect both appearance and long-term value. |
| Crown | Work the crown through winding and time-setting. It should pull out to the setting position cleanly and stay there without slipping back. If the stem releases unexpectedly during time-setting, that can point to a loose set lever screw, which is a known issue on movements of this era and is correctable during a proper service. |
The Movement
The caliber 671 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement made by Hamilton in the United States. It is a competent, no-frills workhorse from Hamilton's domestic production era, wound by hand and straightforward in its layout. Like most movements of its generation, it depends on clean oil to run reliably, and a long-neglected example will benefit noticeably from a fresh service.