Lambert
1950–1951 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Lambert
Made from 1950 through 1951, the Lambert is a compact square-cased dress watch built around Hamilton's caliber 747, a 17-jewel manual wind movement made in the United States. The case is 10K yellow Gold Filled with a square profile measuring 26mm wide and 27mm long, keeping it trim on the wrist despite an 11mm thickness. Hamilton specified 18K gold numerals on a silver dial, which was a notable material call for a watch at this price point. The Lambert is part of Hamilton's broader mid-century dress lineup, a range of American-made watches aimed at the quality-conscious buyer who wanted real craftsmanship without moving into solid gold territory.
Silver dials from this era are prone to developing patina and, in less fortunate examples, fine spider cracks or separation near high-humidity zones like the numeral positions. When you find a Lambert in good shape, the 18K gold numerals tend to hold up well since they are applied elements rather than printed, but inspect closely at 12, 3, and 9 where any impact or cleaning attempts can compromise adhesion. The subseconds dial at 6 o'clock is a useful condition indicator, as its delicate track is one of the first areas to show moisture intrusion or aging finish.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Lambert in 1950 at $66.00 with a leather strap, or $57.75 without, and described it simply as a 17-jewel watch with a 10K natural gold-filled case and 18K gold numerals on a silver dial. The specification of 18K gold for the numerals on a watch at that price reflects Hamilton's approach to the American dress market in that period.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1950
1951
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the silver dial for spider cracking, separation near the numeral positions, or any cloudiness that suggests moisture has gotten in. The applied gold numerals should sit flush and evenly, with no signs that someone has attempted to clean or reattach them. The minute track and subseconds ring at 6 o'clock are fine printed elements and can fade or ghost if the watch has been exposed to humidity over the years. |
| Crystal | The original crystal on a Lambert this age will almost certainly have been replaced at some point. A flat acrylic replacement is period-appropriate and functional. Check for deep scratches or a fogged underside, which can indicate moisture trapped beneath the crystal. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. Dried oil in the caliber 747 creates enough friction to stop the movement entirely, and a watch that runs briefly then stalls is a classic sign of lubricants that have thickened or evaporated. A recently serviced example should run consistently within a reasonable rate. |
| Case | The 10K yellow gold-filled case wears through at the lugs and caseback edges first. Check those areas under good light for brass showing through, which is normal on a watch this age but worth knowing before you buy. The square case should be free of dents or reshaping from improper opening attempts. |
| Crown | The crown should wind smoothly with no slipping and pull out cleanly to the setting position. A crown that spins without engaging the mainspring usually means a worn or broken click spring inside, which is a service issue but not a catastrophic one. |
The Movement
The caliber 747 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement made by Hamilton in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It winds and sets smoothly when properly serviced, and its construction is robust enough to have kept a lot of these watches running for decades without attention, though that neglect catches up eventually. At this age, dried lubricants are the most common cause of a sluggish or stopped 747.