Paige (1956)
1956–1958 · 14K yellow · Manual Wind
About the Paige (1956)
The Paige ran from 1956 through 1958, a slim rectangular dress watch built in solid 14K yellow gold. It runs on the caliber 770, a 22-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used across a number of its higher-grade models from this period. The rectangular case and silver dial with applied gold numerals and markers give it a clean, formal character that suited the mid-1950s taste for restrained elegance without unnecessary ornament.
Solid 14K gold cases like this one tend to show their history honestly, so examine the case carefully for deep dings or heavy polishing that has softened the original lines. The applied gold numerals and markers on the silver dial are worth inspecting closely, as loose or missing indices are a common issue on examples that have been handled without care over the decades. Finding a Paige with its dial and case in honest, unrestored condition is genuinely satisfying.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Paige in its 1957 catalog as a 22-jewel watch in a 14K yellow gold case, with 14K gold numerals, markers, and dots set on a sterling silver dial. The listing was straightforward, offering the watch on a strap at $125.00. That price held unchanged through the 1958 catalog, where Hamilton repeated the same description without revision. At $125.00, the Paige sat in the upper tier of Hamilton's ladies dress offerings for the period, with the sterling silver dial and fully gold-applied indices justifying the premium over simpler dial configurations in the broader lineup.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1956
1957
1958
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the applied gold numerals and markers. They should all be present, seated flat, and free of lifting edges. Any that are cocked at an angle or missing entirely will be difficult and expensive to source and reset correctly. |
| Crystal | The rectangular crystal is harder to source than a round one. Check for deep scratches or chips at the corners, where rectangular crystals are most vulnerable to impact damage. |
| Movement | The caliber 770 at this age almost certainly needs a service. Dried lubricants create enough friction to stop the movement or cause it to run erratically, even if it appears to be running fine in the short term. Ask whether the watch has been serviced recently and, if so, by whom. |
| Case | This is solid 14K yellow gold, so check the case for heavy polishing that has rounded off the lugs or softened crisp edges. Light wear is expected and honest. A case that looks too smooth and bright has likely been polished repeatedly, which removes metal and affects long-term integrity. |
| Crown | Pull the crown gently and feel for smooth, positive engagement at the winding position. A crown that slips, feels loose, or shows corrosion at the stem junction is worth flagging before purchase. |
The Movement
The caliber 770 is a 22-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton produced for its higher-grade dress watches in this era. The additional jewels beyond the standard count serve as extra protection at friction points, reducing wear over the long life of the movement. It winds smoothly and keeps good time when properly serviced, and its relatively straightforward layout makes it a practical movement for a competent vintage watchmaker to work on.