Odyssee
1968–1973 · Stainless
About the Odyssee
Made from 1968 through 1973, the Odyssee is one of Hamilton's more visually striking round-case automatics from the late 1960s and early 1970s. It runs on the caliber 64A, a 17-jewel automatic, and came in stainless steel with a calendar function. The dial is black with a central Hamilton logo design, and two distinct variants are known: one carries "2001" on the dial with circular hour markers and bold triangular luminous hands, and the other uses rectangular hour markers with luminous stick hands. The Odyssee shares some design DNA with the Fontainebleau from the same era.
Finding one with the "2001" dial variant is a genuine treat, as that space-age reference ties the watch directly to the cultural moment it was born into. The black dial on either version is prone to fading or spotting with age, and the applied indices should be examined closely for separation or loss. Integrated lugs are a signature of this case, but they also create nooks where moisture and debris accumulate, so inspect the lug area carefully for any corrosion hiding underneath.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Odyssee in 1970 as a stainless steel, 17-jewel automatic with calendar, available on a bracelet, at $150.00, which placed it firmly in the upper tier of Hamilton's sport-dress lineup at the time.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1970
1971
1972
1973
What to Look For
| Dial | Black dials on watches from this period can fade unevenly or develop spotting. Check for consistency across the surface, and look closely at the applied hour markers for any that have separated or shifted. If you find the "2001" variant, confirm that text is crisp and not rubbed away. |
| Crystal | This case style uses a specific crystal fitting, and replacements need to be matched carefully. Inspect for deep scratches or chips at the edges, which can indicate prior amateur work. |
| Movement | The caliber 64A is an automatic, but oil dries and hardens in movements of this age. Hardened lubricant creates friction that will degrade accuracy and can stop the watch entirely. Unless it has been recently serviced, budget for a full service before regular wear. |
| Case | The integrated lug design is prone to collecting grime and moisture in the recesses. Look closely under the lugs for pitting or early corrosion. Case backs on this period can be tricky to open without the right tools, so check whether the back shows evidence of pry marks or prior damage from improper opening. |
| Crown | The caliber 64A uses a two-piece stem, which means the crown is designed to separate from the stem. A crown that feels loose or pulls away too easily may just be how it is built, but it is worth confirming the stem itself is intact and the crown is properly seated before buying. |
The Movement
The caliber 64A is a 17-jewel automatic movement from Hamilton's Swiss production era. It winds automatically via a rotor as the watch moves on the wrist, so no manual winding is needed during regular wear. It is a solid and serviceable movement, though like all automatics of this vintage it needs fresh lubrication to run cleanly.