Lord Lancaster R
1966–1969 · 14k Solid White Gold · Manual Wind
About the Lord Lancaster R
The Lord Lancaster R was produced from 1966 through 1969 as part of Hamilton's Lord Lancaster family, a line of refined rectangular dress watches built around slim manual wind movements. This version pairs a 14K white gold case with an oval silver dial set with six diamonds in place of traditional hour markers. The caliber 680 keeps things appropriately thin, which suits the watch's understated character. Where its siblings in the Lord Lancaster line, including the C, H, and K, used different case metals or dial configurations, the R is specifically identified by its white gold case and diamond index combination.
Finding one of these in solid shape takes some patience. The silver dial with textured silver markers is prone to age-related spotting or foxing, and diamond indices can shift or go missing entirely if a watch has been handled carelessly or serviced by someone unfamiliar with the case architecture. The hidden lug construction is worth a close look before purchase, as those lugs can show stress or wear that isn't immediately obvious from the front.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Lord Lancaster R in 1966 simply and directly: a 17-jewel, ultra-thin 14K white gold case with six diamonds, priced at $210. That positioning placed it squarely in Hamilton's luxury dress tier, where the combination of precious metal and diamond indices was expected to justify a meaningful premium over the brand's steel and gold-filled offerings.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1966
1968
1971
What to Look For
| Dial | Look carefully at each of the six diamond indices. Loose or missing stones are a real possibility on watches of this age, and replacement matching diamonds are not easy to source. Check the silver dial surface for foxing, discoloration, or moisture intrusion near the edges. |
| Crystal | The crystal should sit flush and have no chips or crazing around its perimeter. A poorly fitting replacement crystal can put pressure on the dial and cause cosmetic damage over time. |
| Movement | The caliber 680 is a manual wind, so wind it fully and give it several hours before drawing any conclusions about timekeeping. Dried oil in a movement of this age creates enough friction to stop it entirely, and a watch that runs initially may still need service to run reliably. |
| Case | The 14K white gold case should show crisp lines, though some softening of edges from polishing is common. Check the hidden lugs carefully from the side and underneath for any cracks or repairs, as this area is structurally important and easy to overlook. |
| Crown | The crown should feel smooth through its full range of motion and engage cleanly at the winding position. Wobble or roughness can indicate a worn or replaced crown stem, which is worth factoring into any service estimate. |
The Movement
The caliber 680 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used across several of its dress watch lines through the 1960s. It is thin by design, suited to the slim rectangular cases it powers, and keeps reliable time when properly serviced. Like any movement of this era, the oils have almost certainly dried and thickened, so a full service is typically needed before the watch performs as it should.