[albatros_la]

I'm going to buy a new watch and I'm pretty sure that it will be a mechanical Hamilton. The fact is that there are a lot of them which seems really similar, but I really don't know which is the best, if there's one (maybe it's a personal taste only, but there could be also technical aspects which I ignore!).
I really love the QNE (H76515533), cause the aviation design makes me fall in love.
http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/webapp/en-us/collection/?c=ka&y=12&p=117
but it's really out of budget for me.
So I'm searching for a "lower" model with a neat design and a medium-big sized bezel. The hand-winding ones meet my taste. I think that the field mechanical officer (H69619533) is really a beautiful piece:
http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/webapp/en-us/collection/?c=KA&y=22&p=197
but I've heard somewhere out there that the mechanical hand-winding system is more fragile than an automatic unit. Maybe someone of you experts can confirm this rumor or not.
Alternatively to this, I would choose automatic versions of king or field, which cost less but are less aviator-style watches. Suggestions about these two watches' series are also welcome.
As said, there are a lot of things depending on personal taste, but I really need some help based on experience or knowledge that I lack!

I apologize for the long digression and for the poor english, there's something to adjust there too :wink:

 

[GradyPhilpott]

I don't think you can go wrong with any choice of Hamilton watches.

A mechanical movement uses a spring that must be wound by hand using the crown. The spring slowly unwinds to release the energy that powers the timekeeping functions. Consumers who appreciate the skill of gifted watchmakers choose these fine watches for their intricate composite of gears and other parts. Well built mechanical watches can last for generations.

overstock.com/watches-buying-guide

Your English is fine.

 

[MacDaddy]

I prefer mechanicals over automatics. You have to wind them every day and that's what makes them special. You bond with it. You grow close to your watch by having to wind it every morning. All you do with an automatic is put it on. There's a bonding with the watch when you have a mechanical that you don't get from an automatic.

Most younger people prefer automatics.

 

[mgiraz]

Hey albatros_la...I have both watches.......

First here are some pics...

Besides the Khaki Mechanical Oficer being a manual wind, it does not have a date either. As far as durability, you will not notice any difference...In fact, some say mechanicals are more durable because they have less moving parts...No date wheel or rotor. You can get the Khaki Officer for about a $100 less than the Aviation Qne.

Hope this helped.

 

[albatros_la]

Really precious opinions: thank you! The photos are also really useful: it's often difficult to compare the watches with respect to their size. Yes, the mechanical winding attracts me more than the automatic movement, even if I'm young ;-)
No matter if there's no date in the officer... it's really a beautiful watch.
There's an interesting label at 6 o'clock: swiss made. It's strange, there isn't in other Hamiltons, even if the movements are all made in Switzerland. Anyone knows why?

 

[foghorn]

With all of the other markings on the QNE I don't think there was room for the Swiss Made on the dial!
Many other Hamiltons have Swiss Made on the dial.
Others have it inscribed on the case back.
I have heard some say that the reason Swiss Made is not on the dials of some classic design Hamiltons is to keep the American heritage of the designs alive-hence the inscription on the case back rather than the dial.
In any event I have found all of the Hamiltons that I have owned to be of the highest quality.
You can't go wrong with either watch.

 

[Rusty]

Hi albatross_la and welcome to the Hamilton Watch Forum. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. The officer's watch seems as if it is a popular one on this forum with several members owning one. Both it and the aviator watch are fairly large. . . for Hamilton's.

Let us know what you decide and come back and post some pix. WE LUV pix.

 

[mgiraz]

There's an interesting label at 6 o'clock: swiss made. It's strange, there isn't in other Hamiltons, even if the movements are all made in Switzerland. Anyone knows why?

Is this what you are referring too albatros_la?

 

[bczolone]

I wanted a kind if WW2 look and I thought switching out the SS bracelet for this Waterborne strap captured the look I wanted. Mine an auto khaki. Plus I like to keep posting the same pics all the time:001_tongue:

 

[mgiraz]

@bczalone - You've done a great job on that piece !:thumbup1:

 

[bczolone]

thanks...poor Great white hasn't been on since i got it!...now I'm out of cash, will be changing careers and I'm looking for my next watch...its a distructive disease...lol

 

[albatros_la]

@mgiraz
Mmm... yes, that's what I was referring to. That label has fallen completely out of my sight. It has to be said that there are not many good photos about Hamiltons on the net, so it's hard to look at them carefully.

When I'll buy the watch, whatever the one I choose, I'll post some shots. Perhaps this is going to happen not so soon: here in Europe the Hamilton watches now cost 7% more than the last year (don't ask me why!?!), so I'm going to order the watch directly from the U.S. (actually the good exchange ratio between $ and € makes them a lot cheaper than here), but this will take some time in order to deliver the package.

 

[mgiraz]

Looking forward to your pictures!

 

[albatros_la]

A lot of time has passed since the last time I was here. Finally the watch has arrived (from U.S. to Italy, I mean)! It's simply a beautiful piece: the Khaki King, full SS, 40mm bezel. Just awaiting for the camera batteries to be charged and I'll manage to upload some nice macro shots of it.

 

[mgiraz]

Can't wait...thanks for keeping us updated !

 

[Rusty]

A lot of time has passed since the last time I was here. Finally the watch has arrived (from U.S. to Italy, I mean)! It's simply a beautiful piece: the Khaki King, full SS, 40mm bezel. Just awaiting for the camera batteries to be charged and I'll manage to upload some nice macro shots of it.

Congratulations, albatross. The Khaki King is a nice watch at a nice size. Looking forward to seeing your pix.

 

[albatros_la]

Tried to do some stylish photos with my little camera. Hope you enjoy them!



I like the first one since it gives it a vintage look, while the other ones are a tribute to the impressive shining of the watch. It really worths more than what I payed for it: it definitely looks good!

 

[mgiraz]

Great photos albatros_la!:thumbup1:

 

[albatros_la]

Thank you! I hope they'll be useful to someone. I've noticed that it's difficult to find good macro photos of Hams over the net and the official site doesn't help so much. If someones request them, I can send original size shots (5Mpx), where the mechanisms are more visible. Maybe I'll send some size-reduced shots for the photo contest next days.