Thinline 2006
1964–1966 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Thinline 2006
Made from 1964 through 1966, the Thinline 2006 is part of Hamilton's Thinline family, which brought slimmer case profiles to American watch buyers during a period when thin dress watches were very much in demand. The movement inside is Hamilton's caliber 687, a 17-jewel manual wind that kept the overall package remarkably svelte. The case is 14K yellow gold, and the round dial carries applied gold numerals and markers with a subseconds register at 6 o'clock. At $120 in 1964, this was a proper dress watch purchase, not an impulse buy.
The applied gold numerals and markers on these dials are worth close attention: over six decades, adhesive can fail and individual pieces can shift or go missing, which significantly affects collector value. Finding one with a dial that's clean, fully intact, and free of moisture damage is the real challenge, and when it comes together with an unpolished 14K gold case, it's a genuinely satisfying find.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Thinline 2006 in 1964 as an ultra-thin design with shock resistance, anti-magnetic protection, an unbreakable mainspring, and waterproof and dustproof capability with seals intact. It retailed for $120, listed simply as a 14K yellow gold round model.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1964
1965
What to Look For
| Dial | Look carefully at each applied gold numeral and marker under good light. Pieces can loosen or go missing over time, and replacements are essentially impossible to match perfectly. Check for moisture damage, which often shows as spotting or discoloration near the edges or under the crystal. |
| Crystal | The original crystal is almost certainly long gone. Check that any replacement fits cleanly without gaps, sits flush, and doesn't distort the view of the dial. A poorly fitted crystal on a gold case dress watch hurts the overall presentation considerably. |
| Movement | Ask when the caliber 687 was last serviced. Dried oil in a movement this age creates enough friction to degrade timekeeping or stop the watch entirely, even if it appears to be running. Also worth knowing: the click spring in the 687 can dislodge during cleaning and is easy to overlook during reassembly, so confirm the watch winds and sets cleanly with no slipping. |
| Case | Examine the case under magnification for signs of polishing. A 14K gold case that's been aggressively buffed loses its original lines and lugs. The swept lugs on the 2006 are part of its character, and on a polished example they can look soft or rounded in ways that detract from the design. |
| Crown | Work the crown through winding and time-setting. It should feel smooth and positive, with no slipping or looseness. On a watch originally rated waterproof, those seals are almost certainly no longer effective after this many decades, so treat it accordingly and avoid water exposure. |
The Movement
The caliber 687 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used across several Thinline models in the mid-1960s. Its design prioritizes a low profile, which is what allowed Hamilton to market these watches on their slim case dimensions. It's a straightforward and reliable movement when properly serviced, though like any manual wind of this era it rewards regular cleaning and lubrication to keep it running accurately.