Jason B
1956 · Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Jason B
Made only in 1956, the Jason B is a stainless steel manual wind watch powered by the AS 1200 caliber, a 17-jewel Swiss movement. At 33mm wide and 10mm thick, it sits comfortably on the wrist without feeling oversized by the standards of its era. The dial comes in both black and white versions, each featuring embossed silver numerals and markers, luminous dots, and a pearled minute track that gives the dial a polished, purposeful look. Hamilton offered it with a strap or bracelet, and the waterproof rating was a genuine selling point at the time.
Finding one with an intact pearled minute track is the first thing worth checking, since that detail is easy to overlook in photos but central to how the dial reads in person. The embossed numerals and markers hold up well relative to printed dials of the same period, but look for any separation or loss of the embossed finish, particularly around the 12. Both the black and white dial versions show up occasionally, and the black dial variant has a distinctly different character worth seeking out if you have a preference.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1956 catalog offered the Jason B in several configurations, with strap versions starting at $49.50 and bracelet versions at $55.00, covering both white and black dial options. Hamilton highlighted the sweep seconds hand, the pearled minute track, and the waterproof case as the watch's primary features.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1956
What to Look For
| Dial | Check the pearled minute track closely. It can wear or flake unevenly and is difficult to restore without affecting the overall look. The embossed numerals and markers should sit cleanly without separation from the dial or silvering loss. Luminous dots may have aged or been relumed, so compare them for consistency under light. |
| Crystal | Look for chips, deep scratches, or crazing. A correctly fitted replacement crystal is acceptable, but an ill-fitting one can affect the waterproof seal and the overall proportion of the watch. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. The AS 1200 depends on clean, fresh oil to run reliably, and dried lubricants will create enough friction to stop the movement entirely. A recently serviced example should run steadily and wind smoothly with no grinding or resistance. |
| Case | The stainless steel case wears well but check the case back. These backs can be stubborn to open correctly, and an improperly opened back will show tool marks or distortion around the edge. Also note that despite the original waterproof rating, vintage water resistance seals degrade over decades and this watch should not be exposed to water. |
| Crown | The crown should thread or seat firmly and move through its positions without slipping. A worn or replaced crown is common and can affect the watch's ability to maintain any seal, so confirm it fits the case properly and winds the movement without slipping. |
The Movement
The AS 1200 is a Swiss-made manual wind caliber running at 17 jewels. It is a reliable, straightforward movement from the mid-1950s, wound by hand each day and built to a standard that Hamilton trusted for a number of its more affordable stainless steel sport models of that era. Like most vintage manual movements, it rewards regular servicing and is not complicated to work on when it does need attention.