Yeoman II
1965–1969 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Yeoman II
Made from 1965 through 1969, the Yeoman II is a 10k yellow Gold Filled dress watch running on Hamilton's caliber 688, a 17-jewel manual wind movement. The clean silver dial carries applied gold markers and a sweep seconds hand, giving it a refined, uncluttered look that suited the mid-1960s taste for understated formality. It belongs to the Yeoman family, a line of Hamilton dress watches sharing a similar design sensibility across the period. What sets the Yeoman II apart from its siblings is the alternate Masonic dial variant Hamilton offered alongside the standard configuration.
Finding a Yeoman II with the Masonic dial intact and undamaged is the real prize here, since that variant is what makes this model genuinely interesting to collectors. The applied gold markers on standard examples should sit flush and show no signs of separation at the edges, which is a common issue on Gold Filled dress watches that have seen humidity or improper storage. The 10k Gold Filled case ages gracefully when it has been worn rather than stored, so look for consistent wear patterns rather than isolated rubbing that suggests a misfit bracelet.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Yeoman II in 1965 with the Masonic dial as an alternate option, pricing the bracelet version at $79.50 and the strap version at $69.50, and described it as waterproof and dustproof with seals intact.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1965
1966
What to Look For
| Dial | Look closely at the applied gold markers under good light. Any that are separating, tilting, or showing adhesive residue underneath indicate moisture damage or a prior repair. On examples with the Masonic dial, check that the dial printing or detailing is crisp and not faded, rubbed, or touched up. |
| Crystal | The crystal on a watch this age has likely been replaced at least once. Check that it sits evenly in the bezel with no gaps, and look for internal fogging or fine scratches that scatter light across the dial. |
| Movement | Wind the watch fully and listen for smooth, even resistance. Any grinding, skipping, or sudden loss of resistance suggests dried lubricant or a worn click spring. A movement this age should be serviced regardless of whether it runs, since dried oil creates friction that accelerates wear on pivots and jewels. |
| Case | The 10k yellow gold-filled case wears through to base metal at high-contact points over time. Check the lugs, caseback edges, and crown tube area for any silver or copper color showing through. Light wear is expected and honest; heavy wear-through affects both value and longevity. |
| Crown | Pull the crown gently to the setting position and check that it engages cleanly without wobbling or slipping. On vintage Hamilton manual winds, the crown can detach from the stem if pulled with force, so test it carefully rather than yanking it to the stop. |
The Movement
The caliber 688 is a 17-jewel manual wind movement Hamilton produced through the mid-1960s. It winds, sets, and runs with a straightforward mechanical simplicity that makes it a pleasure to service when it has been cared for. Like any movement of this age, the lubricants have almost certainly dried out over the decades, which adds friction across the gear train and can affect both accuracy and power reserve.