Lord Lancaster H
1965–1969 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate · Automatic
About the Lord Lancaster H
The Lord Lancaster H was produced from 1965 through 1969 as part of Hamilton's Lord Lancaster family, a line of dress automatics that leaned into refined, minimal design. This particular variant is built around the caliber 694A, a 17-jewel automatic, and wears a 10K yellow RGP round case with a silver dial. What sets the H apart from other Lord Lancaster models is the use of faceted diamond hour markers in place of conventional indices, giving an otherwise understated dial a quiet but deliberate flash.
Finding one in solid shape means checking the diamonds closely, faceted stones can be chipped or lost entirely, and replacements are not easy to source. The silver dial is prone to spotting and fading around the edges, so a clean example is worth paying attention to. The Lord Lancaster H is a dress watch that rewards patience in the hunt.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Lord Lancaster H at $100, describing it as a 17-jewel conventional automatic in a 10K white RGP case with six diamonds and a suede strap, a clean, uncluttered pitch for what was clearly a dress-occasion watch.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1965
1966
1968
What to Look For
| Dial | Inspect each diamond marker carefully. Faceted stones chip and go missing, and that is not a simple fix. Look for even aging across the silver surface and check the edges for spotting or moisture damage. |
| Crystal | The faceted diamond-shaped crystal on this model is genuinely difficult to replace. Chips or deep scratches are a real problem, not just cosmetic ones. Look at it under light from multiple angles. |
| Movement | Dried oil in movements of this age creates enough friction to stop them. The caliber 694A is an automatic, so give it some wrist time before judging timekeeping. If it stops after a few hours off the wrist, a service is overdue. |
| Case | The 10K yellow RGP case wears through to base metal at the lugs and high points over time. Check those spots carefully. The case back can be tricky to open, so look for signs it has been forced or damaged in the past. |
| Crown | Pull the crown gently and confirm it moves smoothly between positions. A sticky or loose crown on a watch this age often means the stem or setting mechanism needs attention. |
The Movement
The caliber 694A is a 17-jewel automatic movement from Hamilton's American production era. It winds via a rotor with wrist motion and keeps running without any manual winding required under normal daily wear. It is a straightforward, reliable movement that responds well to a proper service.