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: Excellent.
This gold filled QED is in very good to excellent condition. There is a tiny nick to the right of the left button. On the right side, there are a few very tiny pinprick marks, visible only because the sides are polished to a mirror finish. The front bezel is polished to a mirror finish and is almost perfect. The case back has a few minor scratches.

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

Crystal: Very good.
There are a few faint marks visible by reflected light. There is a very tiny nick on the upper right edge of the crystal.

Band / Bracelet: Very good.
The original bracelet is in very good condition. It is complete and fits an 8" wrist. There is a slight amount of gold loss on the last link in the bracelet near the clasp. The clasp has a few minor scratches. The clasp contains a Pulsar P4 style magnet in place of the original, larger, P3 style magnet.

Function / Accuracy: Excellent.
The module is a rebuilt module from Strikes And Spares. This module uses the original display, plastic carrier and light sensor but uses a modern microprocessor instead of the original integrated circuit. Digital quartz accuracy.