Seaward II
1968–1969 · Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Seaward II
The Seaward II appeared from 1968 through 1969, making it a single-catalog-year model in Hamilton's lineup. It runs on the caliber 688, a 17-jewel manual wind movement, housed in a stainless steel round case with a clean silver dial featuring no numerals at all, just twelve identical faceted raised gold markers and a sweep seconds hand. The look is spare and geometric, closer to a dress watch than the tool-watch associations its name might suggest. Hamilton offered it two ways: on a bracelet for $55 or on a strap for $49.95.
Finding a clean example means paying close attention to those faceted markers, which can show wear or displacement after decades of use. The related Seabrook shares some visual DNA, so it's worth knowing which model you're looking at before buying. The multiple years run means these don't show up constantly, and when they do, condition varies widely.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's catalog positioned the Seaward II as a bracelet model first, listing it at $55 with the bracelet option and $49.95 on a strap, a modest price difference that gave buyers some flexibility at the point of sale.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1968
What to Look For
| Dial | Check each of the twelve faceted markers closely. Because they're raised rather than printed, they can loosen, shift, or develop corrosion at their base over time. Look at the dial under a light held at a low angle to catch any markers that sit unevenly or show adhesion failure. |
| Crystal | Inspect the crystal for crazing, deep scratches, or chips at the edges. A hazy or heavily scratched crystal on a clean dial is a straightforward fix, but it's worth factoring into your offer. |
| Movement | Ask when the caliber 688 was last serviced. Oil stiffens and congeals in movements of this age, and a watch that runs now may still be fighting dried lubricants. A service history from a qualified watchmaker matters here. |
| Case | The stainless steel case should show honest wear, not deep polishing. Over-polishing softens the lug profile on swept-lug cases like this one and erases detail that can't be restored. Check the caseback for tool marks, which can indicate prior amateur service attempts. |
| Crown | On vintage Hamilton manual winds, the crown can separate from the stem if it's been pulled with force over the years. Test it gently for any wobble or looseness before purchase, and don't pull hard during your inspection. |
The Movement
The caliber 688 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used across a number of its dress-oriented models in this period. It's a straightforward, reliable hand-wound caliber, wound daily through the crown, with no automatic mechanism to contend with. Servicing it is well within the capabilities of any watchmaker familiar with vintage Hamilton movements, and parts availability, while not unlimited, is reasonable for a movement of this era.