Moons Over My Hammy

I’m so excited about my new watch. My self-assembled “Omega” is sorta having some issues. Instead of disassembling it again, I’m just going to save it for more formal wear. Besides, I’m scared of losing it somehow downtown. So I set out to find a new beater watch.

It had to be cheap so I looked on TimeZone.com’s Sales Corner. I solicited and got some e-mails. Eventually, I settled on this great, like-new Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic at 38mm. The seller included both a nice carbon fiber water resistant strap and a cool rubber dive strap with a push button deployant clasp. Today, the nice mailman knocked on my door with my new Hammy!

The Hamilton Watch Co. was somehow acquired by the Swatch Group which owns companies like Omega, Tag-Heuer, and many others.

Beneath the polished bezel and slightly domed, but not anti-reflective coated, sapphire crystal is a traditional pilot style deep matte black dial. I have no clue where it was made and it doesn’t say “Swiss Made” anywhere. People online seem to think it is assembled in the US Virgin Islands to keep with the US heritage of the Hamilton Watch Co. The small 24 hr ring will help me in the hospital too! Although the numbers aren’t painted with luminscent paint, the hour markers and inverted triangle do.

The underside of the case reveals the tried and true ETA 2824-2 Swiss movement through a display back. This movement is from the same series as the one in my “Omega” and is the same as in many popular entry-level fine mechanical watches. The finish is nothing spectacular in any sense, but it is simple and the rotor is at least somewhat finished which was more than I expected.

Overall, I think it was an awesome deal. Just waiting for a nice deployant clasp to be delivered from the UK and I’ll be all set!