Thinline 2005
1964 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Thinline 2005
Made only in 1964, the Thinline 2005 is part of Hamilton's Thinline family, a group of manual and automatic dress watches built around slim profiles and clean design. This particular model runs on the caliber 687, a 17-jewel manual wind movement, and is cased in 14K yellow gold. The round case, combined with a white silver dial and applied gold markers and no hour numerals, gives it an unusually spare, refined look that was very much in step with mid-1960s dress watch sensibilities.
A clean example is genuinely satisfying to find. The applied gold markers on a plain silver dial with no numerals leave no room for distraction, which also means any dial aging or damage is immediately visible. Check the applied markers carefully for separation or missing pieces, as reattaching them properly requires skill and the wrong repair can hurt collector value significantly.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1964 catalog listed the Thinline 2005 at $135 and promoted its ultra-thin case design alongside practical specifications including shock resistance, anti-magnetic protection, and an unbreakable mainspring. The waterproof and dustproof rating applied only with seals intact, a qualifier worth keeping in mind for any example found today.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1964
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at each applied gold marker. Even minor separation or a missing piece is noticeable on a dial this minimal. Patina on the silver dial is acceptable, but look for water staining, cracks, or any sign that the dial has been refinished, which would eliminate much of the original character. |
| Crystal | Confirm the crystal sits flush and is free of deep scratches or chips. A correctly fitted replacement is acceptable, but an ill-fitting crystal can point to case or bezel issues. |
| Movement | Ask when the caliber 687 was last serviced. Oil in a movement this age dries out, and even a small amount of friction from dried lubricant can be enough to stop it. A watch that runs but runs rough or inconsistently is often telling you it needs a full service. |
| Case | With 14K yellow gold, look at the lugs and case edges to assess how much material has been lost to polishing over the decades. Soft metal is forgiving to buff but unforgiving to overcleaning. Sharp lug edges and original surface texture are signs of a case that hasn't been aggressively refinished. |
| Crown | Test the crown for smooth winding action and confirm it seats fully without slipping. The original water and dust resistance is not something to rely on in a watch this age, regardless of what the case markings say. |
The Movement
The caliber 687 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement made for Hamilton's slim dress watch lineup in the 1960s. It winds by hand, keeps a straightforward time-only display, and was built to fit the thin case profiles Hamilton was emphasizing during this period. It's a reliable movement when properly serviced, though its age means fresh lubrication and a full inspection are not optional for anything expected to run daily.