I just received mine today. I got lucky and found it on eBay, unused and I won the bid at $760 Australian. That’s a saving of at least $400. This watch is awesome. My wrist is 7.25 inches and the size of the watch is a little on the small side but doesn’t bother me at all. I’m really starting to fall for small watches. Love it.
Love everything about this piece, except the mineral crystal. Just smashed the mineral glass on my OrientStar Classic, and replaced it with a nearly identical acrylic crystal, which is a much better choice for that watch, and would've been a smarter move for Hamilton with this one as well. It looks like a unique shape, and as you mentioned is inserted from the rear, so it may not be "upgradable" with an acrylic crystal. A shame, as Hamilton would've had me with hesalite or sapphire, but not mineral. That tall domed crystal is an accident waiting to happen. Lovely watch in every other respect though. And a good review of it too!
Just ordered on line. Really look forward to wearing this little beauty and getting a nice brown leather strap for it (Bulang and Sons)... It's small, hand winding, retro looking, thin, 100m water resistant. What more do I need !?!? And having no date makes things even more convenient
Mike I just learned that the *UP Arrow* was omitted from the dial because it is an owned symbol of the Royal Crown. The Royal Air Force had permission on the original, but because this one is not military issue, they could not use the intellectual property of the Crown. Pretty interesting honestly. But I'm with you, it looks pretty cool.
Matthew, that sounds like poppycock to me; or a clever cover story for a foolish design decision on the part of the CEO of Hamilton. CWC (which I believe is owned by Hamilton) has the broad arrow on their watch dials. Smiths has the broad arrow on many of their watch dials. The broad arrow is an ancient symbol, which predates the monarchy, and even the UK. You might have to kick a couple of pence to the Queen for any item sold in the UK with this symbol; but such royalties are wholly unenforceable outside of the UK.
If it had acrylic crystal I would have bought it. I see that som companies making the W10 and G10 have started making a circle with an L for Luminova insted of the old T for Tritium.
Hands down, the most thorough and useful review of this watch that I have seen to date. Did you note that the lugs are removeable? This is also a critical deviation from the original W10 specification. I think that the CWC offering is frankly a more faithful replica of the original specification. They did not attempt to modernize the dial (other than replacing tritium with luminescent paint). They did not fall into the foolish fashion nonsense of faux patina (aged radium). They are currently out of stock, due to the impact of covid19 on their production line; so I cannot tell how their price compares to the Hamilton branded offering. Of course, they do not offer the H50 movement. Neither does their watch offer 100M WR. They still use a press on case back with 50M WR; unfortunately.
It's a nice watch and i was tempted but overpriced imo. Also for the fact that they use mineral glass and not sapphire, which is a bit of disappointing to me.
Smiths puts an L in a circle on their homage military watches. L for Luminova, I guess. That little marker between the 12 and the center of the dial provides a counterbalance to the broad arrow which was positioned between the 6 and the center of the dial. These two symbols together with the makers mark form a critical part of the gestalt of the W10 as originally designed. If you really want, CWC still offers NOS tritium dials for their homage military watches. Of course, they aren't very luminescent anymore as they have sat in a warehouse for decades...
Really nice watch but I cannot understand the high price for this very simple watch. Hamilton offers watches which will be more expensive to make than this one at cheaper prices.
.....I wish it didn't say, "Mechanical" on the dial. That and the faux patina are unfortunate. Otherwise, one of the best replica watches I've seen. On a side note, I hope the H-50 movements prove reliable. Eighty hours with a manual wind watch seems unnecessary.
I agree and don't see the need to have an 80 hour power reserve on a hand wind watch. It would be more accurate at 28,800 beets surely? I don't like the fake patina either.
I just received mine today. I got lucky and found it on eBay, unused and I won the bid at $760 Australian. That’s a saving of at least $400. This watch is awesome. My wrist is 7.25 inches and the size of the watch is a little on the small side but doesn’t bother me at all. I’m really starting to fall for small watches. Love it.
Congrats Terry, enjoy!
Love everything about this piece, except the mineral crystal. Just smashed the mineral glass on my OrientStar Classic, and replaced it with a nearly identical acrylic crystal, which is a much better choice for that watch, and would've been a smarter move for Hamilton with this one as well. It looks like a unique shape, and as you mentioned is inserted from the rear, so it may not be "upgradable" with an acrylic crystal. A shame, as Hamilton would've had me with hesalite or sapphire, but not mineral. That tall domed crystal is an accident waiting to happen. Lovely watch in every other respect though. And a good review of it too!
Thank you for this well rounded review. Gotta love that case shape.
Great job Mike!
Thanks Stav!
We should do a collab video sometime haha
This one is very tempting, but it’s the lack of sapphire that’s a concern for me. Maybe I’m just being silly.
Just ordered on line. Really look forward to wearing this little beauty and getting a nice brown leather strap for it (Bulang and Sons)... It's small, hand winding, retro looking, thin, 100m water resistant. What more do I need !?!? And having no date makes things even more convenient
Mike I just learned that the *UP Arrow* was omitted from the dial because it is an owned symbol of the Royal Crown. The Royal Air Force had permission on the original, but because this one is not military issue, they could not use the intellectual property of the Crown. Pretty interesting honestly. But I'm with you, it looks pretty cool.
Matthew, that sounds like poppycock to me; or a clever cover story for a foolish design decision on the part of the CEO of Hamilton.
CWC (which I believe is owned by Hamilton) has the broad arrow on their watch dials. Smiths has the broad arrow on many of their watch dials. The broad arrow is an ancient symbol, which predates the monarchy, and even the UK. You might have to kick a couple of pence to the Queen for any item sold in the UK with this symbol; but such royalties are wholly unenforceable outside of the UK.
VERY GOOD WATCHES HAMILTON
that's actually pretty sweet. I was super into it until you mentioned the price. Coolest watch I've seen in awhile though.
If it had acrylic crystal I would have bought it. I see that som companies making the W10 and G10 have started making a circle with an L for Luminova insted of the old T for Tritium.
Wow.nice watch and great review
Thanks I really like Hamilton’s field watches
Loaneded?
Wonderful review...... this is on my short list.
Thanks Alan!
Real cool, what's your wrist size though Mike?
Hi Prithu, my wrist size is 170mm
I really liked this review ! I wish they would have upgraded the crystal for the price though. Great looking watch!
I’d love to know their reasons for using mineral crystal.
I was sure this one would have acrylic, whats up with that mineral it is not a bambino.
Hands down, the most thorough and useful review of this watch that I have seen to date. Did you note that the lugs are removeable? This is also a critical deviation from the original W10 specification.
I think that the CWC offering is frankly a more faithful replica of the original specification. They did not attempt to modernize the dial (other than replacing tritium with luminescent paint). They did not fall into the foolish fashion nonsense of faux patina (aged radium). They are currently out of stock, due to the impact of covid19 on their production line; so I cannot tell how their price compares to the Hamilton branded offering. Of course, they do not offer the H50 movement. Neither does their watch offer 100M WR. They still use a press on case back with 50M WR; unfortunately.
Such a great looking watch. Superb. Unfortunately Massively over priced. And massively disappointing that it has mineral crystal.
The buckle should have been done the same as the old school script like on the dial.
Good point, that would be a cool add on
It's a nice watch and i was tempted but overpriced imo. Also for the fact that they use mineral glass and not sapphire, which is a bit of disappointing to me.
Nice looking watch but Way way overpriced in my opinion .
The T was for tritium, why would you put tritium sign on a non tritium lumed watch?
Smiths puts an L in a circle on their homage military watches. L for Luminova, I guess. That little marker between the 12 and the center of the dial provides a counterbalance to the broad arrow which was positioned between the 6 and the center of the dial. These two symbols together with the makers mark form a critical part of the gestalt of the W10 as originally designed.
If you really want, CWC still offers NOS tritium dials for their homage military watches. Of course, they aren't very luminescent anymore as they have sat in a warehouse for decades...
Two of my favorite brands are Longines and Hamilton... but this is tiny. Love the overall look of it but the size.
ÓTIMO RELÓGIO HAMILTON, Brasil ok
Great review!
Thank you!
Really nice watch but I cannot understand the high price for this very simple watch. Hamilton offers watches which will be more expensive to make than this one at cheaper prices.
It’s probably to do with it being small production numbers
.....I wish it didn't say, "Mechanical" on the dial. That and the faux patina are unfortunate. Otherwise, one of the best replica watches I've seen. On a side note, I hope the H-50 movements prove reliable. Eighty hours with a manual wind watch seems unnecessary.
It’s based on a proven caliber, it should be GTG
I agree and don't see the need to have an 80 hour power reserve on a hand wind watch. It would be more accurate at 28,800 beets surely? I don't like the fake patina either.
I am not keen on that puffed up look. I love your field watch though. Cheers
Thanks!
This is just screaming to have a Bond NATO strap on it
Good idea!