Don't miss the next drop
If you close your eyes and picture the archetypal “gold watch” given for 25 years of service at a major corporation in 1980, this is likely what you see. The Hamilton “Masterpiece” line was the brand’s premier collection for the corporate gift market (often used by companies like IBM, Ford, or DuPont). While these watches were born from corporate tradition, today they stand as fantastic style objects that perfectly encapsulate the transition from the mechanical mid-century to the quartz-powered modern era.
The star of the show is undoubtedly the case shape. The “TV Dial”, a cushion shape with rounded corners that mimics the cathode-ray tube televisions of the time, is a design hallmark of the 70s. It offers a broad, masculine stance on the wrist without being overly large, creating a seamless, cuff-like look that pairs brilliantly with a vintage leather strap. The 10k gold-filled construction is significant; unlike thin gold plating, gold-filled metal involves a thick layer of gold mechanically bonded to the base, meaning these cases have the warmth and durability of solid gold and can withstand decades of wear without showing the base metal underneath.
Inside, the quartz movement represents a specific moment in history. At the time of this watch’s production, quartz technology was still relatively new and considered a premium feature. It offered a level of “set it and forget it” precision that mechanical watches couldn’t touch. For the modern collector, this means you get a vintage look with modern reliability, no need to wind it every morning, just pick it up and go.
