Khyber
1958–1962 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled / Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Khyber
Made from 1958 through 1962, the Khyber is one of Hamilton's asymmetric case designs from the late 1950s, a period when the company was leaning into bold, sculptural shapes that stood apart from the round and cushion forms that dominated earlier decades. It runs on the caliber 730, a 17-jewel manual wind movement, and wears in a 10K yellow Gold Filled case with a stainless steel back. The asymmetric case and dial are shaped together as a unit, and the two are not interchangeable with other Hamilton asymmetric models even when they look similar at a glance. The Khyber sits in the same family as contemporaries like the Convair and Pacer, each sharing that asymmetric character while having their own distinct proportions and dial layouts.
Dial condition is the first thing worth scrutinizing on a Khyber. The original embossed gold numerals and markers can show separation or wear, and the silver dial finish is susceptible to damage from moisture or any cleaning attempts that were not done carefully. Around 1960, Hamilton updated the dial to a version with solid gold markers and numerals, so examples from the later production years may look noticeably different from the 1958 originals even though the case remained consistent. Finding one with a clean, undamaged dial and original lume on the hands intact is genuinely satisfying.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Khyber in 1958 at $85.00 on bracelet or $75.00 on strap, describing it simply as a 17-jewel watch in a 10K yellow gold-filled case with yellow embossed numerals and markers.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the embossed numerals and markers. They can pull away from the dial surface over time, and any past cleaning attempts may have damaged the silver finish beneath them. Early examples have embossed gold numerals and markers; later examples from around 1960 onward use solid gold markers and numerals, so confirm which version you're looking at. |
| Crystal | The asymmetric case takes a shaped crystal that fits the contour of the dial. Replacements exist but need to be matched carefully to the case. Check for chips along the edges, which are easy to miss on asymmetric forms. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. Dried oil in the caliber 730 creates enough friction to stop the movement entirely, and a watch that runs intermittently or not at all usually just needs a proper cleaning and fresh lubrication rather than anything more serious. |
| Case | The gold-filled surfaces on the case can show wear through to the base metal on the high contact points, particularly the lugs and case flanks. Check those areas carefully in good light. The stainless steel back is more durable, but can be tricky to open without the right tools, so look for any evidence of prying around the back edge. |
| Crown | Confirm the crown is original, functional, and threads or seats properly. A loose or replaced crown on a manual wind watch is a minor but meaningful detail, and an ill-fitting crown can let moisture into a case that was never designed to handle it. |
The Movement
The caliber 730 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used across a range of dress watches in this era. It's a reliable, well-proportioned movement for the case size, with a straightforward hand-wind action and good timekeeping when properly serviced. Like all movements of this age, it needs clean oil to run well, and dried lubricants can create enough friction to stop it entirely.