April 2018 – The Horology Blog

For 2018 Hamilton released what I consider to be one of the best vintage inspired re-editions to date. Having previously owned a vintage Hamilton from 1982 I can say that the updated 38mm case from 34mm was a much needed, and welcomed addition to the collection.

A side-by-side comparison of my 34mm vintage U.S. Army issued Hamilton on the left from 1982 and the updated 38mm 2018 vintage inspired model on the right.

The Khaki Field Mechanical still has the same practical field watch look as the original issued to U.S. Army servicemen in the mid 20th century. Hamilton has a storied past serving as one of the main suppliers of watches for the U.S. military from the 1940’s up until the 1990’s. Doing away with any unnecessary clutter on the dial this is a no frills, no-date, manually wound tool watch with hours, minutes, and central running seconds for effortless legibility at a glance. Being a military watch it features a hacking seconds mechanism and both 12hr and 24hr time indication on the dial. This piece is the perfect weekend wear and looks great on the dark green nato strap with brown leather accents giving it just the right amount of personality adding to the vintage feel.The case features a rugged looking brushed finish. It is a proper tool watch through and through. The oversized crown is easy to grip and provides easy winding.

The luminous faux patina hands and hour markers work well and at first glance you could mistake this for being a vintage watch. At $475 USD and featuring a solid workhorse manually-wound Swiss movement with 42hrs of power reserve, this piece offers incredible value for money. If you are a fan of vintage inspired, mechanical military timepieces but you are looking for a more approachable, modern case size this one fits the bill perfectly.

Here are the specs of the watch:

MODEL REFERENCE: H69429931

CASE: 38mm Brushed stainless steel. 20mm lug width. Case thickness 9.5mm.

CRYSTAL: Sapphire.

STRAP: Nato with leather accents.

MOVEMENT: ETA 2801-2 (Hand winding).

POWER RESERVE: 42hrs approximately.

For more information please visit http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/

The official authorized retailer of this watch and Hamilton watches in the Vancouver, BC area is Time & Gold.

http://www.timegold.ca

Business hours:

Monday to Friday 9:30 to 5:30

Saturdays 10:00 to 5:30

Closed Sundays.

565 West Georgia Street

Vancouver, BC,

V6B 1Z5,

Canada

Telephone: (604) 683-1812

Fax: (604) 682-4961

Call toll free anywhere in B.C. @ 1800-399-1988

Email: info@timegold.ca

The Tutima Grand Classic Flieger UTC Chronograph with signature fluted bezel, cathedral hands, and red enamel reference marker for precise timing. This piece is from my personal collection and is part of the limited 80th anniversary collection which is now discontinued.

Since 1927 Tutima has been producing aviation timepieces. Unfortunately due to the Second World War, the Great Depression, and the quartz crisis of the 1970’s, (and several other contributing factors) Tutima has had a rough and complicated history but through all of it has managed to re-establish itself in Glashütte Germany.

The Tutima Manufacture in Glashütte Germany with a modern building completed in 2011.

Watchmakers steadily working at their benches inside the manufacture.

For over 91 years the family owned company of reliable tool watches has been the go-to choice worn by the German Air Force, German Ministry Of Defence, as well as AWACS, NATO Fighter pilots, and aviation enthusiasts. The goal has always been to create highly legible, functional timepieces meant to be used in the field and capable of withstanding shock, extreme g-force, and changes in pressure and temperature all while maintaining accurate timekeeping.

The original German Air Force issue nickel-plated brass cased Tutima Fliegerchronograph. (Circa 1939). Featuring the legendary Urofa Calibre 59 movement with the first German-made flyback chronograph function.

Some examples from the Tutima portfolio both retired as well as current production pieces. A common reoccurring theme of sturdy, highly legible, purpose built timepieces with design cues paying homage to their past while still maintaining a modern and relevant appeal.