Thinline 2020B
1968–1969 · 14K yellow · Manual Wind
About the Thinline 2020B
Made from 1968 through 1969, the Thinline 2020B is a slim rectangular manual wind watch cased in 14K yellow gold. It runs on Hamilton's caliber 680, a 17-jewel manual wind movement well suited to the slender profile that defined the Thinline family. The 2020B sits within Hamilton's broader push during the late 1960s toward thinner, dressier watches that could compete with Swiss offerings on elegance as much as precision.
Surviving examples tend to turn up in varying states of preservation, and the applied gold markers on the silver dial are worth examining carefully. Any lifting, missing, or misaligned markers will affect both the look and the value, and replacements that match exactly are not easy to find. The 14K yellow gold case means there's no concern about plating wear, but check the lugs and caseback edges for signs of polishing that has softened the original lines.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Thinline 2020 in 14K yellow gold at $160 in 1968, positioning it firmly in the brand's dress watch tier at a price point that reflected both the gold case and the slim profile.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1968
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the applied gold markers under good light. Check for any that are lifting at the edges, sitting crooked, or showing oxidation around their base. The silver dial surface itself should be even in tone, without spotting, cloudiness, or the kind of water damage that shows up as tide marks near the edges. |
| Crystal | The crystal on a watch this age is almost certainly a replacement or due for one. Check for deep scratches, crazing, or poor fit around the edge. A well-fitted crystal makes a real difference in how the dial reads. |
| Movement | Wind the watch fully and listen for smooth, even resistance through the mainspring. Then set it aside and check it again in a few hours. Dried lubricants can build up enough friction to stop a movement or cause it to run dramatically fast or slow, so a watch that winds fine but stops after twenty minutes is telling you something. |
| Case | This is a 14K yellow gold case, so there's no plating to worry about, but look at the overall sharpness. Over-polishing is common on gold watches and rounds off the edges and details that give the case its character. The hidden lugs should show a clean transition without pitting or deep scratching. |
| Crown | Check that the crown winds smoothly and sets the hands without slipping or excessive play. On a watch this slim, the winding mechanism takes a bit more care in service, and a crown that feels loose or gritty is a sign the movement needs attention. |
The Movement
The caliber 680 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used in several of its slimmer dress watches during this period. It's a straightforward, well-built movement without complication, designed to fit neatly into cases where space is at a premium. Nothing exotic about it mechanically, which is actually a good thing. Parts are reasonably accessible and a competent watchmaker will be comfortable working on one.