Viking
1957–1960 · 10k Rolled Gold Plate / Stainless Steel · Manual Wind
About the Viking
Made from 1957 through 1960, the Viking uses Hamilton's caliber 671, a 17-jewel manual wind movement housed in a 10K yellow rolled gold case with a stainless steel back. The dial features embossed gold numerals and markers with a sweep seconds hand, and Hamilton originally marketed it as waterproof, which was a meaningful selling point at the time. The Viking was offered with either a strap or a bracelet, with prices running from $59.50 to $65.00 in period dollars.
Dial variation is one of the more interesting things about finding a Viking today. The embossed dial came in a few configurations: standard luminous markers, a stamped version, and a variant with Arabic 3 and 9 in place of markers at those positions. The embossed construction gives the dial a tactile quality that holds up well visually, but check for wear on the raised surfaces, as years of cleaning or polishing can knock the definition off those numerals and markers.
From the Catalog
Hamilton's 1957 catalog pitched the Viking on its practical merits: rolled gold case, luminous embossed dial, sweep seconds, and waterproof construction. Worth knowing that any vintage watch originally rated waterproof should not be trusted for water exposure today without a full seal inspection, regardless of what the original marketing claimed.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1957
1959
1960
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the embossed numerals and markers. The raised surfaces are vulnerable to over-cleaning and aggressive polishing over the years, and worn-down embossing is difficult or impossible to restore. Confirm which variant you have: standard luminous markers, the version with 3 and 9 as Arabic numerals, or the stamped version. |
| Crystal | The Viking uses a crystal that accepts a reflector ring. Make sure the ring is present and seated properly. Replacements exist, but finding the right fit takes more effort than a standard crystal swap. |
| Movement | A caliber 671 sitting dry will often run slow or stop under load. Wind the watch fully and let it run for several hours before drawing conclusions about timekeeping. If it starts strong and fades, dried oil is the likely culprit and a service will sort it out. |
| Case | The case back can be stubborn to open, and an amateur attempt with the wrong tool will leave marks on the edge. Inspect the back for tool slippage, gouging, or denting around the perimeter. Also check the rolled gold on the case itself for wear through to the base metal, particularly on the lugs and high contact points. |
| Crown | Try setting the time with light, deliberate pressure. The set lever screw on the 671 can work loose over time, which lets the stem pull out unexpectedly during time setting. If the crown feels uncertain or the stem comes out with minimal pull, that screw is likely the cause and should be addressed before regular use. |
The Movement
The caliber 671 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement from Hamilton's domestic production era. It runs a sweep seconds hand directly off the gear train, which gives the dial a clean, uninterrupted look without a separate subseconds dial. It's a straightforward movement to work on for a competent watchmaker, though the gear train can be fussy to align under the train bridge during reassembly.