I'd bounce the Hammy 5735 in favor of the 5733 version, for one huge reason: not enough contrast between the dial and the hands. That's not an issue with the 5733.

The Hammy wins on movement. The H-30 is the same as the H-10 with the day added. The H-10 is an improved version of the ETA 2824, in several ways, which is in the Victorinox. The Vic, for me, wins on a clean, easier to read dial. How important is the day/date on the Hammy? Because if you don't want it, there's the Khaki Field Auto 42.

Personally, I'd be looking for a dial like the Vic but with the H-10 (AKA Powermatic 80...this movement's also used by Certina and Tissot) unless the day/date is really critical to you.

 

There's a philosophical dilemma here... How do you define "Better"?! :-d

 

Personally, I haven't owned a Hamilton but I've owned a Victorinox Ambassador day date and is a very robust watch so in mu opinion the quality for the money is there, and aesthetically, from both your options, the Victorinox is a little more cool with that full red seconds hand

 

IMO the VSA looks much nicer than the Hamilton. I'm not quite sure how you would tell time on the Hamilton :S

 

Concur with others on the contrast on that Hamilton. Would go with the Victorinox out of these 2.

Air Boss also sounds and looks cool.

 

I'm a big fan of the black on black Hamilton, with its modern twist on the field watch. One of the few field watches I'd consider owning.

 

I have been a fan of field watches since childhood and the Hamilton has it in looks and quality for the right price just don't care for day-date watches so my vote would be the Khaki 38mm.

 

Hamilton has a lot of fans, but the Airboss black edition is magnificent. The red on the crystal is really cool, and there's a lot of depth to the dial and indices.

Not noted by others yet is the fact that it's not only easy to read in the light, the lume on the hands is absolutely top notch. It will rival a Seiko diver.

I own a white dial example. It's even photogenic.

 

Both are pretty mean looking watches. I'd go with the Vic, simply because of the added interest in the air boss dial with the crystal track. Don't think I would ever get tired of looking at that.


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I prefer this version of the Hamilton to either: H70505133 | Hamilton Watch

 

I prefer this version of the Hamilton to either: H70505133 | Hamilton Watch

I agree with this. I like the face on the Hamilton better, but the blackout hands/dial would keep it from getting a lot of wrist time due to legibility. I love the strap/black case combo on OP's version, but am not convinced that black PVD cases on a watch in this price range will hold up well enough in the long term. You can't go wrong with SS.

The Victorinox is simpler, and the red 24 hour markings would help if they had more contrast. I have a Bulova with similar red 24 hour markers on a dark dial, and they're impossible to see in any but the best light.

 

Hamilton. I'd go with the older titanium auto instead of the newer version. Seems much easier to read.

 

I came in ready to advocate for the Hamilton, but the 10ATM water resistance on the Victorinox won me over.

 

I would go with the Victorinox based on the fact that i have 3 of them and they are all bullet proof , also the hamilton does not have enough contrast on the face and i think it would be hard to tell the time in low light not to mention it costs more.

 

Voted for the Ham. but on retrospect, I think i prefer the simpler looks and legibility of the Vic.

 

I can't say one way or another on quality; I've had Hamiltons in the past and they've been great, but I'm not too familiar with Victorinox. But I can say that particular Air Boss looks a hell of a lot easier to read than that particular Khaki Field.

 

Don't get the Hamilton, blackout watches are a pain in the azz You'll hate yourself for buying it, then you'll start drinking, lose your job, house, wife and dog. I'm saving you from a life of misery...|>

 

Victorinox.

 

I personally like the Hamilton more.

 

my vote goes to the hamilton. The history of the brand is amazing and after owning a few i'm firmly on the band wagon.


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I'd go with the Victorinox, I prefer the cleaner dial. The legibility on the Hamilton would drive me nuts.

 

The markings aren't on the dial though-- they're on the crystal. From the one I've seen the contrast against the hands helps. I wish the black edition had been available when I bought mine some years back. I don't regret the white dial one bit, but the black edition ones are slick.

If I had one complaint, it's that the slab sides make it a little trickier to grip the crown when setting the watch relative to say a watch with more tapered top and bottom. Like any 2824-2, it takes quite a few spins of the crown most of the time to get the time set.

 

With careful shopping, Victorinox can be found at bargain prices.

 

Those of you who have seen both watches in person which one do you think has better finishing?

The reason I'm asking is cuz I've seen a few Victorinoxes in shops and I was not impressed with their quality of finishing at all. But may be it was only those particular models idk.

 

That's a fair consideration-- there's a range and the Airboss series is towards the top of their range. In the past, VSA watches were lower and and they have tried to push up-market now that they have Wenger as their entry-level line. I'm happy with my three, but there's a clear difference with their lower-end stuff (e.g. quartz infantry or officer's models.)

I've handled other Hamiltons in that range, but honestly it's hard for me to find Hammies locally and I haven't seen that particular model. I've found their other field watches to be nice but not overwhelming or particularly interesting. the 42mm titanium is very nice, but not easily findable. The 42mm version in steel is solid, but lacks the multi-size numerals. I don't fundamentally dislike the larger/smaller numbers on some watches but I don't think Hamilton does a particularly good job of it. I know that bothers some people. Honestly the Hamilton is really not bad if it appeals to you. You're the one who has to wear it and like it. If someone gave it to me as a gift, I wouldn't be looking to sell it as soon as they look away ;-) I would opt for a higher contrast dial though, given the option.

I don't know if you're looking to expand beyond pure field watches, but you're right on the cusp of a lot of good pilot watches as well. If you catch a good gray market deal, the Oris Big Crown Pro Pilot 3-handers are essentially the same price as the VSA Airboss Black Edition and even something like an Archimede, Damasko, or lower-end Sinn might be worth a look.

 

I personally prefer Hamilton over Victorinox as a brand. That said, I don't have a preference on which model over the other here as I haven't owned either.

 

Bin "better" because IMO they're both good. As so often is the case I'd pick one based on looks and for me that's they Hammy.