Perry (1962)
1962–1964 · 10K yellow GF · Manual Wind
About the Perry (1962)
Made from 1962 through 1964, the Perry is a clean, round dress watch built on Hamilton's caliber 770 manual wind movement. The case is 10K yellow gold filled, and the dial pairs a silver background with applied gold numerals and markers, a combination that reads clearly and holds up well visually at this age. The Perry is part of Hamilton's broader lineup of round dress watches from the early 1960s, a period when Hamilton was still producing solid American-made movements in traditional case formats.
Applied gold numerals and markers are worth examining closely on any example you come across, they can develop small lifting points or tarnish around the edges over decades, and the condition of those details makes a real difference in how the dial reads. The silver dial itself tends to age gracefully, but uneven patina or fading near the center is not uncommon. The Perry was available in yellow or white gold filled, so a white-cased version is worth noting as the less frequently encountered variant.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Perry at $55.00 and offered it in both yellow and white 14K gold filled. A raised gold figure dial was available as an upgrade for an additional $9.00.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1962
1963
1964
What to Look For
| Dial | Look carefully at the applied gold numerals and markers under magnification. Check for lifting, tarnish around the bases, or any signs that a previous owner tried to clean or polish the dial. Silver dials can develop spotting or uneven aging, which is worth factoring into your assessment. |
| Crystal | Original acrylic crystals on a Perry this age are almost certainly scratched. A replacement crystal is an easy fix, but make sure the profile fits the case correctly, a poorly fitted crystal can affect the overall look significantly on a round dress watch. |
| Movement | Any caliber 770 that hasn't been serviced in years should be treated as a watch in need of fresh oil. Dried lubricants create enough friction to stop the movement or cause irregular timekeeping, so ask about service history before assuming the watch is running reliably. |
| Case | Gold filled cases from this era can show brassing at contact points, lugs, caseback edges, and the crown area are the first places to check. Some wear is expected, but heavy exposure of the base metal significantly affects value. |
| Crown | The crown should thread or snap firmly into the case and wind the movement smoothly without slipping. A worn crown or damaged stem is not unusual on a watch that's been in regular use for decades, and both are serviceable but worth negotiating on. |
The Movement
The caliber 770 is a 22-jewel manual wind movement made in the USA, and it's one of Hamilton's more refined movements from this period. The higher jewel count reflects extra jeweling in the keyless works and other friction points, which contributes to both longevity and smooth operation when properly serviced. It's a robust movement that rewards good maintenance and is well supported by parts availability among watchmakers who specialize in vintage Hamilton.