Hamilton QED (Stainless, One Button)

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 stainless QED case is in very good condition. The front bezel is almost perfect and polished to a mirror shine. The case sides are also mirror smooth and have just a few hairline scratches. The case back has numerous small scratches. Also, the case back is a bit sticky and requires more force than usual to remove or tighten.

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

Crystal: Very good.
This crystal has just a few small marks and scratches. It has two tiny chips towards the right side and a small scratch through the Hamilton logo in the upper left corner. These marks are quite small, though and only really visible in reflected light.

Band / Bracelet: Excellent.
The distinctive original bracelet is in exellent condition with almost no scratches and nice, sharp edges. The last link connecting with the clasp has some faint traces of gold because as a replacement link it was once from a gold filled QED. The bracelet is complete with 13 links and fits a large 8" wrist.

Function / Accuracy: Excellent.
All functions work perfectly. The single button has a very nice soft and responsive feel.