Hamilton QED (Gold-Filled)

The "Kojak" watch

Description:

The Hamilton QED was one of the first digital watches available to the public and was the very first made by Hamilton. The QED was a top-of-the-line watch when introduced in 1973 and the gold version was prominantly worn by Telly Savalis in the TV series "Kojak".

Telly Savalas as Theo Kojak with his Hamilton QED

The QED has a very distinctive deco styling featuring prominant parallel horizontal lines which became a recurring design theme among Hamilton's later digital models, though you could argue that none were executed as elegantly as the first. Despite its trim and elegant design, the QED is a surprsingly large and heavy watch - much heavier than any Pulsar and even heavier than the Omega TC-1. This is a watch that will be noticed.

1974 Hamilton QED Catalog Advertisement

The QED uses the exact same module as the Pulsar P2 (one button) and Pulsar P3 (two button) models and features the same coveted dot type LED display made by Litronix. The only difference is that the Hamilton modules have a sticker identifying them as Hamilton model #955. The Hamilton QED also shares the same module with Omegas top end TC-1 and TC-2 digital watches and even has the exact same links in the bracelet except that Omega links do not have the additional horizontal line down the middle of each link.

There is some confusion over the name of this watch because some were sold as "QED" Quartz Electronic Digital and some earlier models were sold as QTC Quartz Time Computer although they are exactly the same watch.

Hamilton QED Instruction Manual (Click to view)

Condition:

Case: Very good.
This gold filled QED is in very good, but not mint condition. There are a few tiny nicks on the front bezel at the top and to the upper right of the crystal.

Face / Hands: Excellent.
All LED digits and segments are complete and bright.

Crystal: Very good.
There are a couple of microscopic pits on the crystal that can be seen under magnification.

Band / Bracelet: Very good.
The distinctive original bracelet is in very good condition with some light scratches from normal use. It is complete and fits an 8" wrist.

Function / Accuracy: Excellent.
The module is original and all functions work perfectly. Digital quartz accuracy.