Winfield
1957–1958 · 14k Solid Yellow Gold · Manual Wind
About the Winfield
Made from 1957 through 1958, the Winfield pairs a round 14K yellow gold case with a white dial carrying embossed golden Roman numerals, embossed markers, and a pearled minute track of gold dots. Hamilton powered it with the caliber 735, an 18-jewel manual wind movement, and gave it a sweep seconds hand rather than a subseconds dial. The Winfield is a close relative of the Medalist, both sharing that clean round case format from the same period.
The embossed Roman numerals and pearled minute track are the defining details here, and they repay close inspection. Embossed dials can show wear differently than printed ones, so look carefully at the texture and gilding across the numerals before committing. Finding one with the original dial in honest, unrestored condition is the real goal.
From the Catalog
Hamilton described the Winfield simply and accurately in 1957: an 18-jewel movement in a 14K yellow gold case, with embossed Roman numerals, markers, a pearled track, and sweep seconds. It retailed for $125 that year.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1957
1958
What to Look For
| Dial | Examine the embossed Roman numerals and markers carefully under good light. Look for wear or loss of gilding in the raised areas, and check that the pearled minute track is intact all the way around. Embossed dials can look deceivingly fine at a glance but show real wear up close. |
| Crystal | The Winfield has a domed dial, and the crystal should follow that curve cleanly. Check for chips at the edges and deep scratches across the surface. A poorly fitting replacement crystal is easy to spot if it sits flat where it should dome. |
| Movement | Dried oil creates enough friction in the caliber 735 to stop it entirely. Wind the watch fully and let it run for a few hours. Inconsistent rate or a watch that stops after running for a short time usually means it needs a service. |
| Case | The 14K yellow gold case should show an even, warm tone. Check the lugs for heavy wear through the gold, particularly at the tips where straps create the most contact over the decades. |
| Crown | Test the crown by winding fully and setting the time. It should engage smoothly in both positions without slipping or feeling gritty. A worn or replaced crown on a gold-cased watch is worth noting, since matching the original is not always straightforward. |
The Movement
The caliber 735 is an 18-jewel manual wind movement that Hamilton used across a range of its dress watches in the late 1950s. It winds from the crown, keeps time reliably when properly serviced, and drives the sweep seconds hand through the center of the dial. The 735 is a well-built movement for its era, but like any watch approaching 70 years old, it benefits considerably from fresh oil.