Paxton
1957–1958 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate / Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Paxton
Made from 1957 through 1958, the Paxton pairs Hamilton's caliber 673 manual wind movement with a round 10K yellow rolled gold case and stainless steel back. The dial is finished in white with embossed gold numerals and markers at the even hour positions, giving it a clean, structured look that reads well without being busy. The Paxton is part of a small two-model family that also includes the Paxton B, which shared the same general character with minor variations.
The embossed dial construction is one of the first things worth examining closely on these. Refinishing an embossed dial correctly is genuinely difficult, and a poorly redone example loses much of what makes the original appealing. Finding one with a clean, untouched dial in good condition is the real goal here.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Paxton simply as having a 10K yellow rolled gold case with stainless steel back and an embossed dial, offered with a bracelet at $45.00 or on a strap at $39.50 in 1957.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1957
1958
What to Look For
| Dial | Look carefully at the embossed numerals and markers. The raised texture should be crisp and consistent, not flattened, filled, or showing signs of a refinish. A redone embossed dial rarely matches the character of the original, so original condition matters here more than usual. |
| Crystal | These left the factory with a domed acrylic crystal. Check for deep scratches or crazing. A correct replacement is inexpensive, but cloudy or ill-fitting crystals are worth factoring into the conversation. |
| Movement | Dried oil in the caliber 673 creates enough friction to stop the movement or cause erratic timekeeping. Ask whether the watch has been recently serviced, and verify that the movement actually runs smoothly under winding. A sluggish start or inconsistent beat is a sign it needs attention. |
| Case | The case is 10K yellow rolled gold over a base metal with a stainless steel back. Check the lugs and bezel edges for wear-through to base metal, which is common on RGP cases of this era. Some wear is expected and acceptable; heavy exposure down to bare metal affects both look and value. |
| Crown | The set lever spring on these calibers is a known weak point and can break during rough handling or a poorly executed stem pull. Confirm that the crown seats, winds, and sets correctly without slipping or resistance before committing to a purchase. |
The Movement
The caliber 673 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement from Hamilton's Lancaster, Pennsylvania production. It is a compact, reliable workhorse that winds through the crown and keeps time with a straightforward lever escapement. The subseconds register at 6 o'clock is driven off the third wheel, a standard arrangement that Hamilton used across many of its dress-watch calibers from this period.