M 115-2
1963–1964 · 10k YGF · Automatic
About the M 115-2
Made only in 1964, the M 115-2 is part of Hamilton's M Series lineup, a group of automatic watches built around clean, understated design. This model runs on the caliber 689, a 17-jewel automatic movement, housed in a 10k yellow Gold Filled round case. The silver dial carries applied baton markers and a sweep seconds hand, giving it a lean, uncluttered look that was very much in step with mid-1960s taste. Hamilton rated it waterproof and shock resistant at the time of sale, and it retailed for $115 in 1964.
Finding one in good shape means paying close attention to the Gold Filled case, which can show wear through to base metal at the lugs and high-contact points after sixty-plus years. The silver dial with applied baton markers is worth examining closely in good light since any moisture intrusion over the decades tends to show up first around those markers or along the dial edges.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1964 catalog described this as a self-winding watch in 10k yellow gold filled, priced at $115. The applied baton markers and clean silver dial were in keeping with the restrained, professional aesthetic Hamilton was offering across the M Series at that price point.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1964
What to Look For
| Dial | Look carefully at the silver dial under good light. Check for spotting, separation, or hazing around the applied baton markers, which can trap moisture and cause the dial surface beneath them to deteriorate. Any detachment of the markers themselves is worth noting. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or chips. A scratched crystal is a straightforward fix, but a cracked one on a round case this age may require sourcing a correct-size mineral or acrylic replacement. |
| Movement | Dried oil in a movement of this age creates enough friction to stop it entirely. Give the watch extended wrist time before judging its accuracy, and factor in a service if it hasn't had one recently. |
| Case | Inspect the lugs and case back edges carefully. Gold filled cases of this era wear through at the high points first. Light wear is expected and acceptable; worn-through areas showing base metal will affect value more significantly. |
| Crown | Test the crown through winding and time-setting. A crown that slips, feels gritty, or won't seat properly can point to a worn or damaged stem. Note that the original waterproof rating no longer applies to a watch of this age, regardless of how it's listed. |
The Movement
The caliber 689 is a 17-jewel automatic, meaning it winds itself through the motion of the wearer's wrist via a rotating rotor. It's a compact, reliable movement that Hamilton used across several of its round-cased automatic models in the 1960s. Like most automatics of this vintage, it rewards a proper service with clean oil and fresh timing, and tends to run quietly and consistently once that work is done.