Thinline 2013
1965–1966 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Thinline 2013
Made from 1965 through 1966, the Thinline 2013 is part of Hamilton's Thinline family, a line built around the idea that a dress watch should disappear under a shirt cuff. The 2013 wears a 14K yellow gold rectangular case and runs on Hamilton's caliber 680, a slim 17-jewel manual wind movement chosen specifically because it allowed the ultra-thin case profile the Thinline series was designed around. The silver dial is clean to the point of austerity, with applied gold stick markers and no numerals at all.
Applied gold markers on a silver dial can show their age in specific ways: look for markers that have separated slightly at one edge, or for oxidation where the marker meets the dial surface. The 14K gold case is durable but not immune to dents or scratches along the lugs, which on this model run straight from the case. Finding one with an honest, unpolished case is the goal.
From the Catalog
Hamilton marketed the Thinline 2013 in 1965 at $160, emphasizing the ultra-thin case design alongside practical credentials: shock resistance, anti-magnetic construction, an unbreakable mainspring, and a waterproof and dustproof rating with seals intact. The combination of a dress aesthetic with those functional claims was a deliberate part of how Hamilton positioned the Thinline line.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1965
What to Look For
| Dial | Check each applied gold stick marker carefully. Markers that have separated from the dial or been re-glued are common on dials this age and affect both appearance and value. Look for consistent color across the silver dial surface, as spotting or uneven patina can indicate moisture exposure. |
| Crystal | This watch would have left the factory with a mineral crystal. Check for deep scratches or chips, particularly at the edges where the crystal meets the bezel. |
| Movement | Ask when the caliber 680 was last serviced. Oil in a movement this age dries out completely over time, and a dry movement will either run erratically or stop altogether. A recently serviced example is worth the premium. |
| Case | The straight lugs on a rectangular 14K gold case are vulnerable to scratches and wear at the tips. Avoid examples that have been over-polished, which rounds off edges and reduces the value of the gold content as much as the aesthetic. |
| Crown | Check that the crown threads smoothly and seats fully against the case. The original waterproof rating is not something to rely on in a watch of this age, regardless of how the seals look from outside. |
The Movement
The caliber 680 is a Swiss-made manual wind movement Hamilton used across several of its dress and Thinline models in the mid-1960s. Running at 17 jewels, it was designed with a slim profile in mind, making it a natural fit for the thin rectangular cases Hamilton was building at the time. It winds smoothly, keeps good time when properly serviced, and is a straightforward movement for a watchmaker to work on.