Lord Lancaster AA
1968–1970 · 14k Solid White Gold · Manual Wind
About the Lord Lancaster AA
Made from 1968 through 1970, the Lord Lancaster AA is a 14K white gold dress watch running on Hamilton's caliber 688, a 17-jewel manual wind movement. It belongs to the Lord Lancaster family, a line of dressy, often diamond-set watches that Hamilton produced through the late 1960s. What makes this particular model distinctive is its dial configuration: six diamonds set directly into the dial serve as hour markers, giving the watch a clean, almost minimal luxury feel that pairs naturally with the white gold case.
Diamond-set dials from this era can vary in how well the stones have held up, so close inspection is worthwhile. The diamonds themselves are small and set into the dial surface, meaning any looseness or loss is both a cosmetic and authenticity concern. A white gold case that has avoided heavy polishing will show the original case lines more clearly, and straight lugs like these tend to fare better than more ornate profiles when it comes to surviving decades intact.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Lord Lancaster AA at $95 in its 1968 catalog, describing it as a stemwound 17-jewel watch with six diamonds and a 10K white and yellow rolled gold plate case. The production version seen in white gold represents a step up from the catalog's base specification.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1968
What to Look For
| Dial | Check each diamond carefully. Look for missing stones, chips, or settings that appear disturbed. The silver dial surface should be clean and free of moisture damage or staining. Any haziness around the diamond settings can indicate past moisture intrusion. |
| Crystal | Replacement crystals for circular dress watches this size are generally available, but confirm the fit is correct and there are no gaps at the bezel edge that could let dust or moisture reach the dial. |
| Movement | The caliber 688 is a manual wind, so wind it fully and let it run for several hours before drawing any conclusions. Oil dries out in movements of this age, and a watch running on dried lubricants may stop after an hour or run significantly fast or slow. A full service is the only real fix. |
| Case | 14K white gold holds up well over time but is softer than steel, so check the lugs and case edges for wear or rounding from past polishing. The case back can be stubborn to open on watches like this, so look for any evidence of tool damage around the case back edge. |
| Crown | Pull the crown gently to confirm it engages properly and sets the hands smoothly. On vintage Hamilton manual winds, the crown can detach from the stem if pulled too hard, so avoid forcing it and note any looseness or wobble. |
The Movement
The caliber 688 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used in several of its dress watch lines during the late 1960s. It is a straightforward, reliable hand-wound caliber without a date complication, which keeps the movement slim and well-suited to the thin case profile of a white gold dress watch. Like most vintage movements of this era, it benefits from periodic servicing to keep the lubricants fresh and the timekeeping honest.