Landon
1957–1958 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate / Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Landon
Made from 1957 through 1958, the Landon pairs Hamilton's caliber 770 manual wind movement with a 10K yellow rolled gold case with a stainless steel back. The rectangular case carries a silver dial with embossed gold numerals and markers, with numerals positioned at 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12, a layout that gives the dial an open, balanced feel. A subseconds register sits at the bottom of the dial, consistent with the dressy rectangular Hamilton designs of that era.
The embossed dial is the thing to focus on when evaluating a Landon. These textured dials can show wear differently than flat printed dials, and the raised numerals and markers are vulnerable to overzealous cleaning. Examples with crisp, undamaged embossing and no signs of refinishing are meaningfully harder to find than they might seem.
From the Catalog
Hamilton marketed the Landon simply and honestly in 1957, describing it as a 10K yellow rolled gold case with a stainless steel back and embossed dial. It was offered with a bracelet at $59.50 or on a strap at $55.00, giving buyers a choice depending on how they wanted to wear it.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1957
1958
What to Look For
| Dial | Examine the embossed numerals and markers closely. The raised surfaces are easy to damage during cleaning, and refinished dials will look flat or overly uniform. Look for crisp definition on each embossed element and no signs of repainting or filling. |
| Crystal | Check for chips, deep scratches, or a replacement crystal that doesn't match the original profile. A poor-fitting crystal can look off on a rectangular case. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. Dried oil in the caliber 770 creates enough friction to stop the movement entirely, and a watch this age has likely been sitting unserviced for years. A recently serviced example is worth the premium. |
| Case | Inspect the rolled gold surfaces for wear-through to the base metal, particularly on the lugs and case flanks where contact is highest. Some honest wear is expected, but deep wear-through changes the look significantly. |
| Crown | Confirm the crown is original and threads or seats properly. A replaced crown in the wrong size or finish is a small but noticeable detail on a dress watch like this. |
The Movement
The caliber 770 is a 22-jewel manual wind movement built to Hamilton's own specifications and made in the United States. It runs at 18,800 beats per hour and is a solid, reliable workhorse that Hamilton used across a range of dress watch designs during the late 1950s. The high jewel count reflects Hamilton's effort to reduce friction at key wear points, which contributes to its longevity when properly maintained.