Sea Scape II
1962–1963 · 10K yellow RGP · Manual Wind
About the Sea Scape II
Made from 1962 through 1963, the Sea Scape II runs on Hamilton's caliber 678, a 17-jewel manual wind movement housed in a 10K yellow rolled gold plate case with hidden lugs. The dial is described in Hamilton's catalog as an "alternate grey" two-tone design, with embossed gold numerals and markers and a sweep seconds hand. The Sea Scape II is part of Hamilton's broader Sea Scape family, which brought a sporty, water-resistant character to the dress watch market of the early 1960s.
Surviving examples show up with that distinctive two-tone grey and white dial, and the embossed numerals and markers hold up reasonably well over sixty-plus years if the watch hasn't been exposed to moisture. The hidden lug design gives the case a clean, integrated look on the wrist, and finding one with an honest dial and unworn case still showing its original finish is the real challenge.
From the Catalog
Hamilton offered the Sea Scape II on a bracelet for $65.00 or on a strap for $55.00 when it was introduced in 1962, positioning it as an accessible option in the dressed-up sport watch category with its alternate grey dial and rolled gold plate case.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1962
1963
What to Look For
| Dial | Look carefully at the two-tone grey and white dial. The embossed gold numerals and markers can lose their crispness over time, but watch for signs of moisture damage, which shows up as spotting, bubbling, or discoloration, especially around the edges. Fading or uneven color in the two-tone sections is worth noting before purchase. |
| Crystal | Check the crystal for deep scratches or crazing. A hazy or heavily scratched crystal can obscure dial condition, so ask for a clear photo or inspect in good light before committing. |
| Movement | Wind the watch fully and confirm it runs. On a movement this age, oil dries and thickens over decades, and enough friction can accumulate to stop the caliber 678 entirely or cause it to run erratically. A watch that runs but gains or loses significant time likely needs a service. |
| Case | The 10K yellow rolled gold plate case will show wear through to the base metal on high-contact areas like the lugs and case back edges. Some wear is expected, but check that the plating hasn't worn through so heavily that the case looks two-toned for the wrong reasons. |
| Crown | Confirm the crown winds the movement smoothly and sets the hands without slipping. A worn crown on a manual wind watch is a small fix, but it's worth knowing about going in. Also note that despite the original weatherproof rating, this watch should not be worn near water. |
The Movement
The caliber 678 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement from Hamilton's Swiss-era production of the early 1960s. It winds from the crown and needs to be wound daily, advancing the hands through a straightforward gear train without any automatic winding mechanism. The sweep seconds hand runs off the center pinion, giving the dial a clean look without a separate subseconds dial.