Seaward
1966–1967 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate · Manual Wind
About the Seaward
Made from 1966 through 1967, the Seaward ran for a single catalog year before disappearing from Hamilton's lineup. It's built on the caliber 688 manual wind movement, housed in a 10K yellow RGP round case, and carries a white dial with applied gold stick markers and a sweep seconds hand. The name suggests water resistance, and Hamilton did market it as waterproof, though that rating reflects mid-1960s standards rather than anything a modern collector should rely on.
Finding one in good shape takes some patience. The applied gold stick markers are worth close attention, since they can come loose or shift over decades, and a white dial from this era is prone to aging in ways that range from charming to distracting depending on how the watch was stored. The 10K RGP case holds up reasonably well but can show wear through to the base metal on high-contact surfaces like lugs and the caseback edge.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Seaward at $69.50 in 1966 in a 10K yellow RGP case. Later marketing referenced a stainless steel variant with bracelet at $55 and strap at $49.95, suggesting the line may have been repositioned, though the RGP version was the original catalog offering.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1966
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the applied gold stick markers under good light. Any that are detaching, tilted, or missing will affect value significantly. Check the white dial surface for spotting, staining, or refinishing, a redone dial loses most of its collector interest. |
| Crystal | Original crystals on watches from this era are acrylic. Check for deep scratches, crazing, or a replacement that doesn't sit flush. A well-fitted period-correct crystal is preferable to a poorly sized modern substitute. |
| Movement | Ask when the caliber 688 was last serviced. Oil congeals in movements of this age, and enough friction from dried lubricants can bring the watch to a stop or cause wear that a simple service won't fully reverse. |
| Case | Examine the lugs and caseback edge for wear through the RGP layer to the base metal beneath. Some wear is expected, but heavy exposure on multiple surfaces suggests the case has had a hard life. Note that caseback removal can be tricky on watches of this vintage, so don't force it without the right tools. |
| Crown | Despite its waterproof marketing, this watch should not be worn near water. Vintage seals are decades old and cannot be trusted. Also check that the crown seats and turns smoothly, and that pulling it doesn't feel sloppy, which can indicate a worn or damaged stem. |
The Movement
The caliber 688 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used across a number of its dress and sport models in the 1960s. It's a reliable, straightforward workhorse that winds from the crown and keeps good time when clean and properly lubricated. Nothing exotic about it, which is part of what makes it practical: parts are available, and a competent watchmaker familiar with vintage Hamilton can service it without drama.