It's interesting to note that there are almost 50 Sea-somethings in Hamiltons model lineup. That's about 5% of the men's models but the first Sea-something didn't get introduced until 1957 with the Seabrook. I don't know what started the trend of naming models with Sea but it continued well into the 1970s.
One of the 1970s models is the 1972 Sea Haven III. It was produced for two years. It's unique in that it's one of a small handful of models to feature a blue dial.
The Sea Haven III is unlike it's earlier Sea Haven predecessors. It's cased in a stainless steel case where the 1964 Sea Haven and 1968 Sea Haven II are cased in 10K yellow rolled gold plate. The only similarity between the three is they all utilized the same movement.
My project watch was sent to me after the owner said it suffered a hard fall. Although it still ran, he noted it now had a rattle like something was loose inside the case. Since it hadn't been serviced recently, he sent it to me to check out.
As received, it doesn't look too bad. The blue dial is definitely unique. I think if this was on a blue and white NATO strap it would look pretty cool. I like the white chapter ring that extends around the inside perimeter of the crystal.
The case back screws on to the rest of the case. The model number is 688014-3. That's interesting, as it gives you a clue to what's inside the case. The -3 implies a stainless steel case. If it was -4 it would be yellow gold RGP. That would be a different model, of course, but the case shape would be similar.
The inside of the case back says Hamilton Watch Co. Swiss. That's because this watch came from Switzerland, as production in Lancaster ended in 1969. I see no service marks inside the case back. I wonder if it's ever been cleaned in 1972.
Inside the case is a Hamilton 61 caliber. It's hard to see that it also says Hamilton Watch Co and 688. This is the same movement that was used in the earlier Sea Haven models - although those would say HYL on the balance cock, as that was the import code Hamilton used for their Swiss-made movements.
The good news is there is nothing loose inside the case. I think the rattling going on was just the assembly held in place by the two case ring braces. Perhaps they were bent in the fall but there's not a lot of play to them - just a slight amount. Perhaps it will be fixed when I reassemble it.
At this point everything gets disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. The 688 is the granddaddy of modern ETA movements. There have been improvements, of course, and today's beat rate is faster than 18,000 beats per hour, but this movement is otherwise identical to today's manual wind movements. It doesn't hack though, so that's one major difference, along with beat rate.
Everything goes back together smoothly. After a few winds to the mainspring, the balance swings back to life.
Not too shabby... the amplitude is a little low but it's not fully wound yet. The beat rate and error are fine, but I can tweak them with little effort.
I sped it up a smidgeon and reduced the beat error - this is about as good as it gets.
A little Polywatch buffing cleared up the crystal and a new cork strap provides a crisp, but funky, look to this clearly 1970s watch.
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