Thinline 2022
1966–1967 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Thinline 2022
The Thinline 2022 was produced from 1966 through 1967, part of Hamilton's Thinline family, which was built around the appeal of slim, elegant case profiles in yellow gold. It runs on the caliber 687A, a 17-jewel manual wind movement, housed in a 14K yellow gold round case. The dial is white with applied gold hour markers and a date window at 3 o'clock. Within the Thinline lineup, the 2022 represents the cleaner, more restrained end of the design spectrum.
The applied gold markers are worth close attention when evaluating one of these, as individual markers can come loose or shift over decades, and a dial with all markers sitting flat and evenly spaced is noticeably harder to find than it sounds. The 14K gold case holds up well when it hasn't been over-polished, so look for one that still shows some original surface character rather than a heavily buffed example that's lost its edge definition.
From the Catalog
Hamilton promoted the Thinline 2022 as part of its ultra-thin case design lineup, emphasizing the 17-jewel movement, shock resistance, anti-magnetic construction, and unbreakable mainspring, with waterproof and dustproof protection when seals were intact. It retailed at $120 in the 1966 catalog.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1966
What to Look For
| Dial | Check each applied gold hour marker carefully. Look for any that are separating at the edges, sitting crooked, or showing gaps beneath them. Also check for moisture damage or discoloration around the date window, which is a common spot for condensation to leave a mark. |
| Crystal | Look for deep scratches or crazing in the crystal. A standard round crystal is easy to replace, but a badly scratched example can obscure how clean the dial actually is underneath. |
| Movement | Ask when the caliber 687A was last serviced. Oil in a movement this age dries out completely over time, and a watch that winds and ticks but runs erratically is often just running on friction rather than properly lubricated surfaces. A recent, documented service is a meaningful plus. |
| Case | Examine the case for heavy polishing. A 14K yellow gold case that's been repeatedly buffed will show soft, rounded edges and a loss of the original surface transitions. Some wear is expected, but aggressive polishing removes metal and alters the proportions of the case. |
| Crown | Test the crown through its full range. It should wind smoothly and set the hands and date without slipping or grinding. A crown that feels loose or skips during winding can indicate wear in the stem or keyless works. |
The Movement
The caliber 687A is a 17-jewel manual wind movement from Hamilton's Swiss-made era. It's a compact, thin caliber built to keep the overall case profile low, which was the whole point of the Thinline family. The 687A is generally reliable when properly serviced, though like any vintage movement of this age, dried lubricants are the most common reason one will have stopped or be running poorly.