Stormking X
1964–1965 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Stormking X
Made only in 1964, the Stormking X is a 14K yellow gold dress watch running on Hamilton's caliber 735, an 18-jewel manual wind movement. The Stormking family spans a wide range of case styles and price points from the 1960s, and the X sits at the more refined end of that group with its solid gold construction and clean, marker-only dial. Hamilton marketed it as fully adjusted, shock-resistant, anti-magnetic, and waterproof-dustproof with seals intact, which was a strong spec sheet for a watch at $125 in 1964.
Gold cases on Hamiltons from this era tend to hold up well if the watch has been stored rather than worn hard, but the swept lugs are worth inspecting carefully for thinning from polishing. The dial carries applied gold markers at the hour positions and a sweep seconds hand, giving it a spare, legible look that reads as understated rather than plain. Finding one with an unpolished case and an original undamaged dial is the real objective.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Stormking X in 1964 as an 18-jewel, shock-resistant, anti-magnetic design with an unbreakable Dynavar mainspring, fully adjusted and waterproof-dustproof with seals intact. It retailed at $125, positioning it as a solid investment for a solid gold daily dress watch.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1964
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the applied gold markers. They can pull away slightly at the edges or show adhesive discoloration beneath them over time. The silver dial itself should be even in color with no spotting or moisture damage near the edges, which is where deterioration usually starts. |
| Crystal | The Stormking X would have originally worn a domed acrylic crystal. Check for deep scratches or crazing, and look at how the crystal seats in the bezel. A poor-fitting replacement can let in dust or moisture. |
| Movement | Ask when the caliber 735 was last serviced. Oil in a movement of this age dries out and thickens, and the resulting friction can be enough to stop the watch entirely. A smooth, consistent wind with no grinding sensation is a reasonable starting point, but that alone does not confirm a recent service. |
| Case | 14K gold cases often get polished repeatedly over their lifetimes, which rounds off the lugs and removes the crispness of the original case lines. Look at the lug edges under good light. Sharp edges and a brushed or original finish are signs it has not been through too many jeweler's polishing wheels. |
| Crown | The case back on this model can be difficult to open without the right tools, which sometimes means previous owners tried to force it. Check the case back edge for tool marks or damage. Also confirm the crown is original and that the stem engages cleanly without slipping. |
The Movement
The caliber 735 is an 18-jewel manual wind movement built to Hamilton's higher-grade finishing standards, fully adjusted for accuracy across multiple positions and temperature conditions. It winds from the crown and drives a sweep seconds hand, which runs directly off the gear train rather than through a separate small seconds pinion. The 735 is a capable, well-constructed movement, but it has a reputation among watchmakers for being delicate during reassembly, particularly around the escape wheel pivot, which can break if any pressure is misapplied.