Peyton
1959–1961 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled / Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Peyton
Made from 1959 through 1961, the Peyton is part of Hamilton's Medallion family, a line of dress watches aimed at the upper end of Hamilton's domestic catalog. It runs on the caliber 770, a 22-jewel manual wind movement housed in a 10K yellow Gold Filled case with a stainless steel back. The dial is white with embossed gold numerals and markers arranged at the even-hour positions, plus a pearled minute track that gives it a refined, textured look.
Embossed dials like this one are more susceptible to damage from moisture and careless handling than printed dials, so condition really matters here. Look closely at the numerals and markers under good light; chips or separation from the dial surface are common on survivors and harder to restore than a repainted flat dial. Finding one with the original embossed detail fully intact makes a real difference in both appearance and value.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Peyton in 1959 as featuring a 10K yellow gold-filled case with yellow embossed numerals and markers and a pearled track. It retailed at $89.50 on a bracelet or $79.50 on a strap, putting it toward the middle of Hamilton's dress watch price range for that year.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1959
1960
1961
What to Look For
| Dial | Examine the embossed gold numerals and markers carefully. Any chips, flaking, or loss of the raised detail will be visible under a loupe. Also check the pearled minute track around the perimeter, individual pearls can be damaged or gone entirely on worn examples. |
| Crystal | Check for chips, deep scratches, or a poor-fitting replacement. The correct profile matters on a dial like this, a flat replacement over a slightly domed case can look off and may sit too close to the embossed markers. |
| Movement | Ask about service history. Lubricants in the caliber 770 dry out over decades, and dried oil creates enough friction to stop the movement or cause erratic timekeeping. A watch that runs fine on the wrist but stops overnight is a common symptom. |
| Case | Inspect the gold-filled surfaces for wear-through, especially on the lugs and caseback edges. The stainless steel back should be free of deep gouges from improper opening tools. |
| Crown | Make sure the crown is original, threads smoothly, and seats fully without wobble. Replacements are common and not always the right profile for the case. |
The Movement
The caliber 770 is one of Hamilton's better manual wind movements from this era, built on a 12/0-size platform with 22 jewels. It winds, sets, and runs cleanly when properly serviced, and its jewel count reflects Hamilton's effort to reduce friction at every point in the gear train. It is not a complicated movement, but it rewards good service and responds well to a proper cleaning and fresh oil.