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Hamilton Dateline UFO (Ref. 64046-3) Silver Dial, 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Hamilton Dateline UFO (Ref. 64046-3) Silver Dial, 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Hamilton (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Materials / technique
silver
Stock no.
HAMDL640463-2
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (HAMDL640463-2)
Catalogue title (original)
1970s Hamilton Dateline UFO (Ref. 64046-3) Silver Dial (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number HAMDL640463-2), this is a wristwatch by Hamilton, made in Switzerland, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: silver. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Hamilton was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1882 and initially specialized in producing pocket watches. The brand boasts a long and impressive history of breakthroughs in design and technology, and while probably best known for their military associations and fantastic field watches, they've put out some really remarkable outliers as well. Case in point, this incredible ref. 64046-3, otherwise known as the Dateline UFO because of its disc-like, lug-free case shape. This is an incredibly clean piece with an aged silver dial, oversized hands and hour markers, and that classic understated Hamilton style. SPECS Stock # HAMDL640463-2 Brand Hamilton Style Dateline Automatic Model 64046-3 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Silver "Aged" Millimeters 38 Strap 2pc Black Leather Rally Strap CASE & BRACELET The wonderful ultra-round "UFO" case has been gently polished in the past but retains excellent case dimensions with limited signs of use. The case features its original Hamilton-signed crown. The case back shows minor signs of wear, and features all of its original engravings in present and legible condition, plus a custom engraving that reads, "Good luck. CH Dist. 12-31-68". The watch is supplied on a two-piece leather rally-style strap. DIAL & HANDS The original silver dial is in great vintage condition with minor signs of age and a slight darkening of the hue. The large, rectangular hour markers are in beautiful condition with lume plots that have aged to a light cream color. Likewise, the original tritium hands have aged to match the dial perfectly. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time, but the service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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