Lord Lancaster D
1963–1964 · 14k Solid White Gold · Manual Wind
About the Lord Lancaster D
Made from 1963 through 1964, the Lord Lancaster D pairs Hamilton's 22-jewel caliber 770 manual wind movement with a 14K white gold case and a silver dial set with six diamonds. The Lord Lancaster family occupied the dressier end of Hamilton's American-made lineup, and the D variant leans fully into that character with its combination of faceted hour markers and diamond indices. It's a relatively short run, appearing in only two catalog years before being discontinued.
Six diamonds on a silver dial sounds straightforward until you start looking at condition closely. Silver-finished dials oxidize, and even well-kept examples can show subtle toning or spotting under the diamonds where cleaning is difficult. The faceted markers are worth examining carefully under good light, as they're easy to damage during sloppy dial work and hard to replace if lost. Finding one with an intact, unpolished case and an honest dial is the goal.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Lord Lancaster D at $175.00 in 1963, describing it as a 22-jewel conventional movement in a 14K white gold case with six diamonds on a sterling silver dial, worn on a black faille and suede strap. That price placed it firmly in the upper tier of Hamilton's dress watch offerings for the year.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1963
1964
What to Look For
| Dial | Silver dials oxidize over time. Look for even tone across the surface and check the areas around each diamond for spotting or dark patches where moisture has been trapped. The six diamonds themselves should be present and secure. A missing stone is a significant problem because matching period replacements is nearly impossible. Also examine the faceted markers under a loupe, they're delicate and show damage from careless handling. |
| Crystal | Check for chips, deep scratches, and crazing. A domed or replacement crystal that sits too high or too low relative to the bezel often signals a non-original part. Verify it fits cleanly within the case edge without gaps. |
| Movement | Oil dries out in movements of this age. Wind the watch fully and give it several hours before drawing any conclusions about how it runs. A caliber 770 running on dried lubricants can behave erratically or stop entirely, which tells you it needs service but doesn't mean the movement is damaged. |
| Case | 14K white gold cases are soft enough to pick up wear quickly, but they're also frequently overpolished, which rounds out the lugs and erases the original lines. Look for crisp lug edges and a surface that shows honest age rather than heavy buffing marks. Check the case back for dents or evidence of forced opening. |
| Crown | Test the crown through all positions. It should wind smoothly with even resistance and set the hands cleanly without slipping. A crown that feels loose or gritty often signals a worn stem or a desiccated movement that needs attention. |
The Movement
The caliber 770 is a manually wound American-made movement running at 18,000 beats per hour with 22 jewels. Hamilton used it across a range of dress models in this era, and it has a solid reputation for reliability when properly serviced. The subseconds register at 6 o'clock is a classic touch on a movement that rewards a good cleaning and fresh oil more than almost any other intervention.