Murray
1955–1957 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Murray
Made from 1955 through 1957, the Murray is a rectangular 10K yellow Gold Filled dress watch powered by Hamilton's caliber 747, a 17-jewel manual wind movement. The dial is sterling silver with applied 18K gold numerals and markers, including the distinctive angled markers with radiating lines that give the Murray its characteristic geometry. It belongs to Hamilton's mid-1950s dress line, a period when the company was producing some of its most refined American-made rectangular watches, and the Murray holds its own in that company.
Silver dials are the real thing to pay attention to here. They age differently than lacquered silver dials, developing a subtle patina that can be beautiful when it's even, or uneven and blotchy when the watch has been cleaned improperly or exposed to moisture. The 18K gold applied numerals and markers are a genuine selling point, not just a catalog claim, and on a clean example they contrast beautifully against the silver-finished ground. Finding one with original dial condition intact and no replating on the case is the goal.
From the Catalog
Hamilton marketed the Murray in 1956 as a 17-jewel watch with a 10K yellow gold-filled case and 18K gold numerals, markers, and squares on a sterling silver dial. It retailed for $71.50 on bracelet or $65.00 on strap in 1955, positioning it as a mid-range dress option in Hamilton's American lineup.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1955
1956
1957
What to Look For
| Dial | Silver dials are sensitive to moisture and cleaning attempts. Look for even patina across the surface, and check for separation, bubbling, or fading near the edges and around the numeral feet. The applied 18K gold numerals and markers should sit flush and straight. Any that are shifted, missing, or re-glued will affect both appearance and value. |
| Crystal | These take a flat acrylic crystal. Check for deep scratches or crazing, both of which are replaceable but worth negotiating on. A correct-fitting crystal matters for the finished look of a rectangular case like this. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. Lubricants in the caliber 747 break down over decades, and a dried-out movement will feel stiff to wind and may stop without warning. A properly serviced 747 is a pleasure to own. An unserviced one is a project. |
| Case | The 10K yellow gold-filled case should show a warm, even tone. Look for heavy wear-through at the lugs and case back edges, where the base metal can show through. |
| Crown | Check that the crown is original and correctly sized. A replaced crown that doesn't match the case finish or proportions is a small detail that matters on a dress watch like this. Make sure it winds smoothly and seats properly without wobble. |
The Movement
The caliber 747 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement built on Hamilton's 12/0-size platform, one of the workhorses of their American dress watch lineup through the 1950s. It's a compact, well-designed movement that runs reliably when serviced, winding smoothly and keeping good time. Like all movements of this era, the lubricants have long since dried out in any unserviced example, so a recent service is worth asking about.