WatchUSeek Watch Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

The new Hammy is SWEET!

Jump to Latest
21 - 37 of 37 Posts
#21 · (Edited)
Dennis Smith said:
Good review! The thickness concerns me. So, How think is the watch? And if you have the time, the diameter and lug width as well?
Click to expand...
Hi Dennis,

I'm not sure how thick it is, must be all of 15mm, but the diameter is good at 41 and the lug width is 22. I find it wears about like my MkII LRRP MilSub, and smaller than the Sinn 757 I used to own. That watch was too big, and eventually I had to move it on because of that. This Hamilton, by comparison, is quite workable size wise. In fact, I don't really notice its size until I put on a smaller watch immediately after wearing it for a while. Earlier this week I had been wearing my Hamilton FAPD 5101 and Hamilton RAF chronograph, for example, and then the size contrast of the modern chrono was quite noticeable.

As I may have mentioned in my review, this watch would be perfect for me if Hamilton had used a black date wheel (fixable by me someday) and made it manual (not fixable, and probably a deal killer for most people buying this watch new).

Best,

Myron
 
#23 ·
Well, it's ok, but as one of the original manufacturers of these classic pilot chronos, I'm not sure why they felt the need to upscale it, add a date, and make it automatic.

I'm not sure how the price pans out in £s, but I wouldn't swap it for this:
Image


CWC - Junghans Max Bill - Seiko - Longines - Cartier
 
#26 ·
brummyjon said:
Well, it's ok, but as one of the original manufacturers of these classic pilot chronos, I'm not sure why they felt the need to upscale it, add a date, and make it automatic.
Click to expand...
Uhmmm, so they could actually make money selling it?
They could sell a few dozen or hundred retro small, dateless, handwinders to WIS like us, or sell thousands of large automatics with date to the general public.
Small boutique micro-brands that cater to watch collectors on these forums may feel comfortable producing dateless handwind models, since they're only going to make a few hundred at most and have a client base willing to buy up that small supply. But big companies need sales in the tens of thousands-- so they will give the general public what it wants. Just be glad it's not quartz.
 
#27 ·
obsidian said:
Uhmmm, so they could actually make money selling it?
They could sell a few dozen or hundred retro small, dateless, handwinders to WIS like us, or sell thousands of large automatics with date to the general public.
Small boutique micro-brands that cater to watch collectors on these forums may feel comfortable producing dateless handwind models, since they're only going to make a few hundred at most and have a client base willing to buy up that small supply. But big companies need sales in the tens of thousands-- so they will give the general public what it wants. Just be glad it's not quartz.
Click to expand...
Of course this is the answer in a nutshell. But I don't see why they have to rape their own heritage to do so. The mass market cares nothing for the heritage of this watch, or the military application. Without context, the asymmetrical case is pointless, and to many would detract from the harmony of the design. Why not remove that feature, too?

Also is there any need to have changed the font of the numbers to the modern square font?

I agree that sales is the primary driver for most watch companies, but to produce a design that is so similar to one from their back catalogue, but to change the elements that make it special (as opposed to just 'nice') seems perverse to me.

I debated for a long time whether or not to get the Precista PRS-5 take on this watch, and the reason I couldn't in the end was because I didn't feel the Chinese movement was right for this watch. (I have no problem with the movement per se - I would happily wear the Chinese 1963 chrono, where the movement is entirely appropriate).

If I had to choose though, I would go with the (actually rather fine) Chinese handwind movement over any auto in this particular watch. And as for being happy it's not quartz, they might as well make it quartz. They would probably sell even more then.

CWC - Junghans Max Bill - Seiko - Longines - Cartier
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#28 ·
brummyjon said:
Of course this is the answer in a nutshell. But I don't see why they have to rape their own heritage to do so. The mass market cares nothing for the heritage of this watch, or the military application. Without context, the asymmetrical case is pointless, and to many would detract from the harmony of the design. Why not remove that feature, too?

Also is there any need to have changed the font of the numbers to the modern square font?

I agree that sales is the primary driver for most watch companies, but to produce a design that is so similar to one from their back catalogue, but to change the elements that make it special (as opposed to just 'nice') seems perverse to me.

I debated for a long time whether or not to get the Precista PRS-5 take on this watch, and the reason I couldn't in the end was because I didn't feel the Chinese movement was right for this watch. (I have no problem with the movement per se - I would happily wear the Chinese 1963 chrono, where the movement is entirely appropriate).

If I had to choose though, I would go with the (actually rather fine) Chinese handwind movement over any auto in this particular watch. And as for being happy it's not quartz, they might as well make it quartz. They would probably sell even more then.
Click to expand...
They do make it in quartz. Although I've never seen one, I think in some ways it's a better nod to the original than the auto is (excepting the literal placement of the subdials, that is). I wonder if the case is thinner? Just the impression that I get from the picture is that it's a little thinner and smaller, although I haven't checked into it at all.

I lament all the same things that Brummyjon is saying here, and also agree with Obsidian's comments. I would be one of the few hundred nuts who would buy an exact replica of the original if they made it, and in the end I bought the auto anyway. I just think it's cool having a couple examples of the classic, the modern auto descendant, and a couple of the PRS-5's. Call me a RAF/RN 70's chrono freak if you must.

Kind Regards,

Myron

 
#31 ·
Dennis Smith said:
View attachment 1051822

41mm. AR-coated sapphire crystal, water resistant to 100 meters.

Movement is the Swiss automatic, exclusive to Hamilton, caliber H31, in bi-compax configuration, with 27 jewels, 28,800 vph and a power reserve of 60 hours.

Dials can be had in black or ivory. It is available on a steel bracelet, black leather strap or a khaki textile strap.

MSRP is $1,845.
Click to expand...
Although I like the looks of some of the Hamilton collection, this is the first one I have seen I would seriously consider buying.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#33 ·
Happytalk said:
Both. But for the sake of argument the Hamilton auto. The quartz dials are not across from each other, correct?
Click to expand...
Yes, I'm pretty sure that's right. For me though, I actually prefer the look of the quartz, as I don't much care for the shape of the '6' on this watch (the auto reissue). That takes a lot for me to say, as I always prefer mechanical to quartz.

CWC - Junghans Max Bill - Seiko - Longines - Cartier
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#34 ·
Hey guys, have had this watch for about a month now. Love it! Like the slightly bigger size, like the new movement, like having 60 hours of reserve (since I tend to rotate), all in all there are only two things about the watch I'd change (but by no means are deal breakers - for me): 1) needs a proper strap (most of the Hammys I have had or handled suffer from this, seems to be an area that the company saves money on). Easy to just throw on your own obviously. 2) that hideous date window. How did they put that on there, look at it, and say, yeah that looks jam. Anyways, very happy with it, wouldn't hesitate pulling the trigger again.

Image
 
#35 ·
I like it a lot. I like having the date window, but I feel it should have been white on black. My other wish would be for all-white hands and no shiny bezels around the sub-dials. Despite the design quirks, it's still a cool case and layout that attracts a lot of attention from pilot and military watch fans.
 
Discussion starter · #36 ·
The date window may not be the best aesthetically, but I love it. It's at 4:30 so well out of the way (sure, I'd prefer 6:00, but still OK), so it doesn't interfere with telling the time, and yet it's very easy to read...one reason I prefer black on white to white on black. So, for me, it ticks the boxes as a functional tool combined with beauty, which is what a pilot's watch is all about.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
21 - 37 of 37 Posts
About this Discussion
36 Replies
19 Participants
Last post:
obsidian
WatchUSeek Watch Forums
posts
24M
members
618K
Since
2005
A forum community dedicated to watch owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about watch collections, displays, watch winders, accessories, classifieds, and more! We welcome all manufacturers including Casio G-Shock, OMEGA, Rolex, Breitling, Rolex and Tudor, Seiko, Grand Seiko and others.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Public Forum Watches - Private Sellers and Sponsors Affordable watches Dive watches Casio G-Shock