Kinematic II
1960 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate / Stainless Steel · Automatic
About the Kinematic II
Made only in 1960, the Kinematic II runs on Hamilton's caliber 672, a 17-jewel automatic movement, housed in a 10K yellow Rolled Gold Plate case with a stainless steel back. The dial is white with embossed gold numerals at 6 and 12, luminous markers, a pearled track, and a yellow rim that ties the whole face to the gold case. A sweep seconds hand completes the layout. The Kinematic II is a close sibling to the Kinematic I and shares some design DNA with the Accumatic A-650 from the same era.
The embossed gold numerals and pearled track are details worth examining closely on any example, since surface wear or cleaning attempts can diminish that raised texture in ways that aren't always obvious in photographs. The yellow rim on the dial is also prone to discoloration over the decades, so condition there matters more than it might seem at first glance. Finding one with the dial and rim still clean and bright is genuinely satisfying.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Kinematic II as offering a 10K yellow rolled gold plate case with a stainless steel back, embossed yellow numerals, luminous markers, a pearled track on a yellow rim, and weatherproof construction. In 1960 it retailed for $79.50 on a bracelet or $69.50 on a strap.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1960
What to Look For
| Dial | Look hard at the yellow rim and the embossed numerals and markers. The raised texture of the embossing can wear down or get damaged from overzealous cleaning. Luminous material on the markers may have aged to a cream or tan color, which is normal, but check for flaking or pitting. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or chips around the edge. A heavily scratched crystal will wash out those dial details, and replacement crystals need to fit the case correctly to maintain the original look. |
| Movement | Give the watch some wrist movement and let it run before judging it. Oil dries out in movements of this age, and a caliber 672 running on dried lubricants may run sluggishly or stop after a short time. A watch that won't run or stops within an hour almost certainly needs a service. |
| Case | The 10K yellow rolled gold plate case can show wear through to the base metal on high-contact areas like the lugs and caseback edges. Check those spots carefully. Also note: even though Hamilton marketed this as weatherproof, vintage watches of this era should not be trusted near water. |
| Crown | Test the crown for smooth winding and clean setting engagement. On the caliber 672, manual winding does engage the rotor, which is normal, but the action should feel even. A crown that slips, sticks, or feels gritty is worth flagging. |
The Movement
The caliber 672 is a 17-jewel automatic built by Hamilton for the American market in this period. It winds itself through normal wrist movement via a rotor, though it can also be wound manually when needed. It's a solid, workable movement that responds well to a proper service, and when running correctly it keeps good time.