Thinline 2023B
1966–1969 · 14K yellow · Manual Wind
About the Thinline 2023B
The Thinline 2023B was made from 1968 through 1971, a 14K yellow gold rectangular case housing Hamilton's caliber 680 manual wind movement. It belongs to the Thinline family, Hamilton's line of slim-profile dress watches built around slender movements designed to sit low on the wrist. The dial is silver with an oval shape and applied gold markers, giving it a quiet refinement typical of the series.
Applied gold markers are a detail worth examining closely on any example. They can lift or shift over decades, and a dial where the markers sit flush and straight is meaningfully better than one showing even minor displacement. The hidden lug construction keeps the profile clean but can make case work more involved, so confirming the case back opens correctly and the movement has been properly serviced matters here.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed this reference in 14K yellow gold at $150 in 1968, positioning it firmly in the upper range of their dress watch lineup for that year.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1968
1971
What to Look For
| Dial | Look carefully at each applied gold marker. Any lifting, tilting, or gaps at the base are hard to fix without a replacement dial. The silver surface should be even in tone, without spotting, flaking, or refinishing marks that would indicate someone tried to clean or restore it. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or chips, especially at the edges where the crystal meets the bezel. A hazy or crazed crystal is replaceable, but confirm the replacement fits the oval dial shape correctly. |
| Movement | Wind the watch and give it time to run. Dried oil can build up enough friction to stop a movement outright or cause it to run erratically, so confirm it's tracking time reasonably before assuming it just needs a nudge. |
| Case | The 14K yellow gold case should show honest wear rather than deep gouges or buffing that rounds off the lugs and erases the original lines. Hidden lug construction means the case back may require a specific tool to open without damage, so check for any prior prying marks around the seam. |
| Crown | The crown should wind smoothly, set cleanly, and feel secure in both positions. A loose or gritty crown often signals wear on the stem or the winding mechanism that a service will need to address. |
The Movement
The caliber 680 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement built for slim-cased dress watches. It winds and sets by hand, and its compact design is what allows the Thinline cases to stay as slender as they are. Reliable and relatively straightforward to service, it rewards proper lubrication and benefits from a full service if it hasn't seen one in the past decade or more.