Nautilus II
1957–1959 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate / Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Nautilus II
Made from 1957 through 1959, the Nautilus II is part of Hamilton's Nautilus family, a line of water-resistant dress watches built around a clean, round case with an embossed dial. The case is 10K yellow Rolled Gold Plate over a stainless steel back, running 10mm thick, and powered by the caliber 671, a 17-jewel manual wind movement. Sweep seconds was a standard feature, giving the dial a cleaner look than a traditional subseconds dial layout. The Nautilus II was available with either a bracelet or strap, priced at $62.50 and $55.00 respectively in period dollars.
Dial condition is the first thing to sort out with any Nautilus II. The embossed gold numerals and markers hold up well structurally, but the white dial surface can show age through discoloration or spotting, especially near the edges where moisture has historically found its way in. Hamilton offered multiple dial configurations in this line, so luminous dot variants and black dial versions also exist, and any original lume on those should be inspected closely for flaking or previous restoration attempts.
From the Catalog
Hamilton marketed the Nautilus II as water resistant, shock resistant, and anti-magnetic, with sweep seconds as a headline feature. In the 1957 catalog it was offered with a bracelet at $62.50 or on a strap at $55.00, positioning it as a practical dress watch with real utility rather than just a style piece.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1957
1958
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the embossed gold numerals and markers. The embossing itself tends to survive well, but check the white dial surface for discoloration, water spotting, or any signs of refinishing. A refinished dial will lack the crispness of the original embossed texture. If the watch has luminous dots, check that they are intact and original rather than touched up. |
| Crystal | The Nautilus II uses a crystal that accepts a reflector ring. Confirm the ring is present and undamaged. Replacements exist but the fit needs to be correct, and a missing or cracked ring affects both appearance and the seal around the crystal. |
| Movement | The caliber 671 is a capable manual wind, but lubricants dry out over decades. A movement running on dried oil can seem functional at first and then stop unexpectedly under load. Ask whether the watch has been serviced recently and by whom. If the history is unclear, budget for a full service. |
| Case | The 10K rolled gold plate over stainless steel holds up reasonably well, but heavy polishing over the years can thin the gold layer and dull the original case lines. Check the lugs and case edges for signs of over-polishing. The case backs on these can be stubborn to open without the right tools, so pry marks around the back edge are worth flagging. |
| Crown | Despite the original waterproof rating, vintage gaskets are long past their useful life and these watches should not go near water. Check that the crown seats fully and turns smoothly without slipping. A crown that pulls out too easily may indicate a loose set lever screw, which is a known issue on these movements and worth addressing during service. |
The Movement
The caliber 671 is a Swiss-made, 17-jewel manual wind movement from Hamilton's mid-century lineup. It runs a sweep seconds hand directly from the gear train rather than off a separate subseconds register, which gives it a cleaner dial layout and was a deliberate selling point in period advertising. It is a reliable workhorse, though like any vintage movement pushing 60 or more years, it benefits from fresh lubrication and a proper timing adjustment to run at its best.