Roland
1948 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold
About the Roland
Made only in 1948, the Roland is a rectangular 14k solid yellow gold dress watch powered by either the caliber 770 or 987, both 17-jewel movements. The solid gold case puts it at the upper end of Hamilton's dress line for that year, a meaningful step up from the Gold Filled options that made up most of the catalog. Its closest relative is the Russell, which shares a similar character and period placement.
Solid gold rectangular cases from this era take wear in specific ways, and the Roland is no exception. The bezel near the crystal corners is the first place to look for softening or rounding of the edges, since that area takes the most contact over decades of daily wear. A Roland in genuinely sharp condition, with crisp case edges and an intact dial, is the kind of find that rewards patience.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Roland at $52.25 in 1948, describing it with an 18K applied gold numeral dial. That price reflected a genuine solid gold case, placing it among the more serious pieces in that year's lineup.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1948
1955
1957
What to Look For
| Dial | The dial should show applied gold numerals in good condition, with no separation, loss, or corrosion at the feet of the markers. These small applied pieces can shift or detach over time, and replacements are essentially impossible to match correctly. Check for even aging across the dial surface and no refinishing, which would flatten the texture and obscure the applied detail. |
| Crystal | Look at the bezel near the corners of the crystal. This is the area most prone to wear on rectangular cases from this period, and on a solid gold case, that wear is permanent. Light surface scratches on the crystal itself are expected and replaceable; worn or rounded case edges are not. |
| Movement | The balance pivot on these movements is fragile and can break during adjustment, so ask whether the watch has been recently serviced and by whom. A freshly serviced Roland should run consistently across positions. If the watch is running erratically or stopping, assume dried oil at minimum and budget for a full service. |
| Case | 14k solid gold holds detail well but is not immune to polishing abuse. Inspect the case edges and lugs under good light for signs of over-polishing, which rounds off the original lines and reduces the visual sharpness that makes these rectangular cases attractive. Original surface texture is a strong positive sign. |
| Crown | Check that the crown is original and fits the case proportionally. Replacement crowns on vintage Hamiltons are common and usually obvious if you know to look. The crown should seat flush, wind smoothly with no grinding, and set the hands without slipping. |
The Movement
The Roland runs on either the caliber 770 or the caliber 987, both 17-jewel manual-wind movements from Hamilton's American production. These are reliable, well-built movements in the 12/0 size family, designed for the slim rectangular cases that were popular in Hamilton's dress line during this period. They respond well to proper service and can keep excellent time when running clean.