Are Hamilton of good quality?

76194 Views 41 Replies 31 Participants Last post by georgenaka, May 22, 2018

GT27

Discussion Starter · Oct 21, 2017

Gents,

I'm looking to purchase my first Hamilton. I admittedly, don't know much about the brand and have little experience with them. I've been reading about, and appreciate, their history and I really like some of their designs. I've seen a watch of theirs that I would really like to add to my small collection, but I had a question first.

What is the overall consensus on Hamilton's build quality? Is their fit and finish of a high standard? Durability/reliability? Do they suffer from many known issues?

Any feedback is appreciated, cheers!

1 - 20 of 42 Posts

RainDog

· #2 · Oct 21, 2017

It is a well respected brand, gets a lot of love here, and I'm very happy with my Khaki Field. I would say it is similar to Certina, Tissot quality. You can easily find similar threads if you dig a little deeper. Cheers.

Reactions: 3

triumphrox

· #3 · Oct 21, 2017

3

I agree with RainDog. I've had a couple of Hamiltons, and still have a Khaki Field. Mine have had ETA movements, excellent attention to detail, and have been solid performers. Great bang for the buck.

See less See more

Reactions: 5

HerrNano

· #4 · Oct 21, 2017

2

I have two Hamilton watches and I like them very much. The quality and looks are quite good, in my opinion. I'm wearing the Khaki today - it is the one watch I feel certain that I will never part with. It's like an old friend now.

Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery

Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery

See less See more

Reactions: 5

hub6152

· #5 · Oct 21, 2017

To answer more specifically as you already know Hamilton is a brand with a long history and pedigree. They supplied many military contracts over the years and are known for being well made and generally very reliable. However today Hamilton is placed towards the lower end of the Swatch group hierarchy with Breguet and Omega at the top, and Tissot and Hamilton at the bottom. What that means is that Hamilton’s component parts are more than likely made in factories in the Far East such as China and Thailand using more automated production line processes. Also other companies in the supply chain won’t apply the same high levels of finish to parts like the hands and dial markers that you’d get at the top level. The movements are mostly standard off the shelf (although some are now unique to Hamilton) and again they’re not finished or decorated as well as say an Omega. But having said all that these are relatively minor differences in the scale of things and a Hamilton is no less reliable or prone to any issues as any other far more expensive watch. And then there’s the key benefit - they cost considerably less so in fact you actually get a lot more watch for your money than you do with many more expensive brands.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

See less See more

Reactions: 5

HerrNano

· #6 · Oct 21, 2017

hub6152 said:
(...) But having said all that these are relatively minor differences in the scale of things and a Hamilton is no less reliable or prone to any issues as any other far more expensive watch. And then there's the key benefit - they cost considerably less so in fact you actually get a lot more watch for your money than you do with many more expensive brands.

Us simple folk call that "bang for the buck." FTFY

oztech

· #7 · Oct 22, 2017

My Khaki 38mm has been trouble free and a consistent -4 spd and has one of the most comfortable bracelets out there.

GT27

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 22, 2017

Thanks to everyone that has chipped in so far, appreciate the feedback. Keep it coming.

EightEyes

· #9 · Oct 22, 2017

In terms of "bang for buck", it doesn't get a whole lot better than Hamilton. Fit and finish won't quite compare to Omega or Rolex, but my experience with Hamilton has been that they are solid, accurate, and trouble free. I'll happily buy more in future.

I current rotate between a Hamilton Navy Pioneer and an Omega Aqua Terra, and although the Omega is 6x the price, and in many ways "better", I look forward just as much to wearing both, and can't quite bring myself to retire the Hamilton and make the Omega a daily wear, even though it's a perfect all-rounder. The Hamilton somehow holds its own, and gets picked out of the watch box roughly every other day.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Reactions: 2

GT27

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 22, 2017

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like you stand proudly behind the brand. I had an Aqua Terra and it was a nice watch, so that gives me some barometer with regards to the Hamilton comparison.

EightEyes said:
In terms of "bang for buck", it doesn't get a whole lot better than Hamilton. Fit and finish won't quite compare to Omega or Rolex, but my experience with Hamilton has been that they are solid, accurate, and trouble free. I'll happily buy more in future.

I current rotate between a Hamilton Navy Pioneer and an Omega Aqua Terra, and although the Omega is 6x the price, and in many ways "better", I look forward just as much to wearing both, and can't quite bring myself to retire the Hamilton and make the Omega a daily wear, even though it's a perfect all-rounder. The Hamilton somehow holds its own, and gets picked out of the watch box roughly every other day.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

GT27

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 22, 2017

How would you guys rate the Hamilton Khaki Field watches up against the Longines Conquest models?

hub6152

· #12 · Oct 22, 2017

GT27 said:
How would you guys rate the Hamilton Khaki Field watches up against the Longines Conquest models?

Longines are higher up in the Swatch pecking order so are of a slightly better standard of fit and finish etc. But no better a watch for that particularly. Really it's only your personal taste of their designs that dictates between them!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

GT27

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 23, 2017

Cheers hub, yeah I think I'm going to go ahead and grab this Hamilton because I really like the design. I found a great price on the GM so if it doesn't work out, no big deal.

hub6152 said:
Longines are higher up in the Swatch pecking order so are of a slightly better standard of fit and finish etc. But no better a watch for that particularly. Really it's only your personal taste of their designs that dictates between them!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

hub6152

· #14 · Oct 23, 2017

GT27 said:
Cheers hub, yeah I think I'm going to go ahead and grab this Hamilton because I really like the design. I found a great price on the GM so if it doesn't work out, no big deal.

Pleasure. Honestly you can't really go wrong with a Hamilton. Enjoy it and wear it well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

MetroiD

· #15 · Oct 23, 2017

I bought a Hamilton Jazzmaster Regulator last year and while I took to it instantly, I have become even more attached to it after changing the (perfectly nice) original strap for a custom-made which I ordered specifically for the Hammy. Really love wearing it and have never had any issues with it.

Best of luck with your purchase - I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Reactions: 1

JoeC

· #16 · Oct 24, 2017

Hamilton represent a very good quality to price ratio.

Reactions: 1

MikeDC999999

· #17 · Oct 24, 2017

After having only started with automatic watches about a year ago, I now have two Hamiltons and an Oris. Both Hamiltons have treated me wonderfully and I’m in the market for a third. I love the brand and will probably go broke because I lack any self restraint.

Reactions: 2

hub6152

· #18 · Oct 25, 2017

MikeDC999999 said:
After having only started with automatic watches about a year ago, I now have two Hamiltons and an Oris. Both Hamiltons have treated me wonderfully and I'm in the market for a third. I love the brand and will probably go broke because I lack any self restraint.

Ha! It's like an addictive drug! Oris are another much under appreciated brand that actually give great bang for buck.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

yankeexpress

· #19 · Oct 25, 2017

Have no issue with Hammie quality, it is the prices that turn me off. In short, I think they are overpriced for what a buyer gets.

To me an Oris, Eterna, Certina, Tissot, Victorinox, Squale, offer similar quality at generally lower prices.

JonS1967

· #20 · Oct 25, 2017

3

yankeexpress said:
Have no issue with Hammie quality, it is the prices that turn me off. In short, I think they are overpriced for what a buyer gets.

To me an Oris, Eterna, Certina, Tissot, Victorinox, Squale, offer similar quality at generally lower prices.

I wouldn't put Eterna or Oris in the same category as Certina, Tissot, Victorinox or Squale. And Oris, although fantastic, is not at Eternas level either.

I have a Pan Erop Chronograph and a new Intramatic LE. I love them both. The quality and finishing on both models is quite good with a slight edge going to the Intramatic. From what I've been hearing, Hamilton is beginning to position themselves closer to Longines and the Intramatic LE seems to be living up to this notion.

And here's my beautiful Eterna Madison and Kontiki.

And lastly my Oris Big Crown and Diver 65.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

See less See more

Reactions: 4

1 - 20 of 42 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.