Thinline II
1958 · 14k Solid White Gold, 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Thinline II
Made only in 1958, the Thinline II is part of Hamilton's Thinline family, a line built around refined proportions and clean, dress-oriented design. The 33mm round case was offered in both 14K yellow and 14K white gold, and at 9mm thick it carried the understated profile the Thinline name promised. Power comes from the caliber 730, a 17-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used across several of its dress-grade references during this period. The dial pairs a silver finish with embossed numerals and markers, giving it a subtle texture that reads differently depending on the light.
Solid gold cases from this era need a close look at the lugs, where metal loss from decades of polishing shows up first. The embossed dial finish is also worth examining carefully, since moisture or aggressive cleaning attempts can cause it to peel away or fade in ways that are difficult to reverse and nearly impossible to restore convincingly.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1958 catalog described the Thinline II simply and accurately: 17 jewels, a 14K yellow or white gold case, and embossed numerals and markers. It retailed at $115 on bracelet or $100 on strap, placing it firmly in Hamilton's solid gold dress tier for that year.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1958
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the embossed numerals and markers under good light. Separation, flaking, or discoloration around the embossed details is a common sign of moisture exposure or past cleaning attempts. The silver finish should be even and consistent, with no blotchy patches or fading at the edges. |
| Crystal | Check for deep scratches or crazing. A worn or hazy crystal can be replaced, but make sure any replacement sits flush and doesn't press on the dial. |
| Movement | Wind the watch fully and let it run for several hours. Oil dries out in movements this age, and dried lubrication creates enough friction to stop or significantly slow the watch even if it appears to run at first. A fresh service is the baseline for any solid gold dress piece like this one. |
| Case | Examine the lugs carefully. Solid 14K gold cases are softer than stainless and show metal loss from repeated polishing more readily. Sharp lug edges are a good sign; rounded, thinned lugs suggest the case has been polished down over the years. |
| Crown | The crown should seat firmly and wind smoothly without slipping or grinding. A worn crown on a solid gold case can be harder to match correctly, so verify it fits the threads well and pulls out cleanly to the setting position. |
The Movement
The caliber 730 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement from Hamilton's American production era, sized for dress watches and known for being well-finished for its class. It winds from the crown and keeps time reliably when properly serviced. Like most movements from this period, the oil has almost certainly dried out if the watch hasn't been serviced in recent years, so a full service should be expected rather than treated as optional.