Vincent (1965)
1965–1967 · 10K yellow RGP/SS · Manual Wind
About the Vincent (1965)
The Vincent ran from 1965 through 1967, a cushion-cased manual wind with applied gold numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 and textured gold markers filling the remaining positions. It's powered by Hamilton's caliber 681, a 17-jewel manual wind movement, housed in a 10K yellow rolled gold plate case with a stainless steel back. The cushion shape was a format Hamilton returned to across several decades, and the Vincent carries that geometry with a clean, symmetrical silver dial that reads plainly without being plain.
The RGP layer on cases like this one is worth a close look before purchase. Decades of wear can thin or wear through the gold layer at the lugs and case edges, exposing the base metal underneath. A good example with intact case surfaces and an honest silver dial is genuinely satisfying to find.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Vincent in both its 1965 and 1966 catalogs with characteristic brevity, noting a 10K yellow gold-filled case with stainless steel back and a retail price of $59.95 at launch, which edged up a nickel to $60.00 the following year. The listings offer little elaboration beyond case material and price, which was typical for Hamilton's manual wind dress models in this period. At sixty dollars, the Vincent sat in the accessible middle range of Hamilton's catalog offerings, priced to compete with comparable Swiss-movement dress watches from domestic and imported rivals. The watch appeared in catalog years 1965 and 1966 before production concluded in 1967, giving it a modest but respectable three-year run in the Hamilton lineup.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1965
1966
What to Look For
| Dial | Check the silver dial carefully for spotting, discoloration near the edges, or any lifting around the applied gold numerals. The textured gold markers can trap moisture over time, so look for any darkening or corrosion at their bases. |
| Crystal | The original would have used a mineral or acrylic crystal. Look for deep scratches or a hazy, crazed surface that polishing won't fix. A correct replacement is inexpensive but worth confirming it fits the cushion case profile properly. |
| Movement | Ask whether the caliber 681 has been serviced recently. Oil in these movements dries out over decades, and a watch that's been sitting can develop enough friction to stop running or cause the mainspring to lose its potential. A full service is the right call on any example that can't confirm recent work. |
| Case | On RGP cases, check the lugs and case edges where wear is most aggressive. Thinning or wear-through to the base metal is common on examples that were worn daily. The case back is stainless steel and can be snug to open, so avoid any signs that it's been forced. |
| Crown | Wind the crown gently and feel for smooth, consistent resistance. A crown that slips, feels gritty, or won't stay in the set position may need attention to the stem or setting lever. |
The Movement
The caliber 681 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement from Hamilton's American production era. It's a straightforward, reliable hand-wound caliber that rewards a proper service, running on a mainspring you wind daily. Nothing exotic, but well-made and serviceable by any watchmaker familiar with vintage American movements.