Best Hamilton Watches to Show Your Style

Review & Comparison, Last Update September 10, 2024
Hamilton watches can boast of the unique combination of Swiss precision and American spirit. They are distinctive, stylish, and versatile ...Read more
PROS

The day indication jumps at the strike of midnight, so you won't face awkward in-between periods when the date readability is reduced.

CONS

The band might be hard to resize by yourself. 

OUR VERDICT

The Hamilton Khaki Aviation watch is a premium watch that can be comparable even with Rolex models in design and quality. It's very precise, chic, and durable. No wonder it has appeared in the movie Interstellar.

detailed parameters
Best For

Men

Movement

Automatic 

CALIBER

H-40

DISPLAY

42-mm stainless steel case with anti-reflective sapphire dial window

BAND

Stainless steel bracelet 20-mm wide with a deployant clasp and push-button closure

FUNCTIONS

Calendar (day and date)

PROTECTION

330 feet water resistant

WARRANTY

2 years

PROS

The fully written day with the date is placed between the "11 and "1" positions, instead of the "12" marking. Quite nice design touch.

CONS

The leather band takes about a week to wear in.

OUR VERDICT

This is an elegant, unisex watch that can send the correct signals in any situation. With a congruent price-tag to boot, the watch can be also a good gift idea for the important people in your life.

detailed parameters
Best For

Unisex

Movement

Automatic 

CALIBER

ETA 2834-2

DISPLAY

40-mm stainless steel case with anti-reflective sapphire dial window

BAND

Brown leather band 20-mm wide with buckle closure

FUNCTIONS

Calendar (day and date)

PROTECTION

165 feet water resistant

WARRANTY

2 years

PROS

The matte-finished case is super-thin (9.5mm), which gives the watch a vintage feel. And at 38mm, it's small enough for a lady's wrist.

CONS

The strap is quite absorbent.

OUR VERDICT

This Khaki watch will surely capture the admiration of those who like old-school timepieces. Plus, because of its low price tag, the Khaki Field is a good choice for folks looking for their first mechanical watch.

detailed parameters
Best For

Unisex 

Movement

Hand-wind

CALIBER

ETA 2804-2

DISPLAY

38-mm stainless steel case with sapphire dial window

BAND

Green textile band 20-mm wide with buckle closure

FUNCTIONS

Calendar (date)

PROTECTION

165 feet water resistant

WARRANTY

2 years

PROS

The round central section has a patterned design that adds distinction and flair to the unit. Arabic numerals also add appeal to the watch.

CONS

The handcrafted band might seem a bit too stiff.

OUR VERDICT

At the very first glance, it becomes obvious that the Jazzmaster men's watch is a very classy model that will go amazingly well with any black-tie affair or other formal events. It's of just the perfect size so as to accentuate your wrist without overpowering it.

detailed parameters
Best For

Men

Movement

Automatic

CALIBER

ETA 2824-2

DISPLAY

40-mm stainless steel case with sapphire dial window

BAND

Brown leather band 20-mm wide with buckle closure

FUNCTIONS

Calendar (date)

PROTECTION

165 feet water resistant

WARRANTY

2 years

PROS

This model is water resistant up to 330 feet, meaning it's suitable not only for recreational swimming but even for snorkeling.

CONS

It beats at a slower rate compared to others. 

OUR VERDICT

The Hamilton Men's Khaki Field watch is a great casual timepiece for people leading an active lifestyle. This watch has a reliable construction that can hold up well to the rigors of daily use.

detailed parameters
Best For

Men

Movement

Automatic

CALIBER

H-10

DISPLAY

42-mm stainless steel case with sapphire dial window

BAND

Brown leather band 22-mm wide with buckle closure

FUNCTIONS

Calendar (date)

PROTECTION

330 feet water resistant

WARRANTY

2 years

Interstellar Watch

Remember that Sci-fi timepiece in the movie Interstellar? It was the Hamilton Men's 'Khaki Aviation' silver-toned watch! Right off the bat, you may think that this epic model worn by Matthew McConaughey might cost a few thousand bucks, but actually, that's not the case. For less than $1,000, you can get a chic wristwatch with the cachet of wearing the same timepiece that Matthew used in Interstellar.

Out of the box, the watch looks perfect without any issues. It looks amazing on the wrist and doesn't feel too heavy. And with a standard 42mm size and a very classy design, the Khaki Aviation watch doesn't seem like it will go out of style anytime soon.

The silver-toned bracelet goes well with almost any outfit. The bracelet features solid pins with beveled edges on the center links that ensure a shinier finish. The only slight flaw with the band is that it uses pin/collar bars rather than pressbars, so it might be problematic for you to resize the wrist strap yourself. It might be better to turn to a jeweler.

The weight and the size of the watch are about perfect. The large face ensures good readability at any time - the long hands along with raised minute numbers make the watch very legible. And what is stunning, the day indication jumps at the stroke of midnight, so you won't face awkward in-between periods when the date readability is reduced. Hands down, this is a top tier watch in every detail.

Attention to Details

We found the dial of the Hamilton Men's 'Khaki Aviation' watch particularly attractive. It has a large amount of chrome, which gives it a nice luxurious look. For example, the minute digits catch the light just right to appear either bronze or chic silver. Also, we liked that the extra long second hand points right to the second indicators at the edge of the face. As you can see, just about everything with this watch is amazing. This excellent watch has the look and feel of some Rolex models but for a fraction of the cost.

Still, the price isn't for everyone out there. But if you can dish out a thousand dollars for one of the best Hamilton watches, do it. This premium USA watch with Swiss precision will last you for years, given the solid construction and the highest quality that makes up this model.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $807.61
Stock In stock
ASIN B00DDVQ098

Unique Design

The Hamilton™ Khaki King watch is a great unisex model that is light, nice-looking, and comfortable. At 2.6 oz, it feels great on any wrist, both men's and women's. Being a unisex model, it has a 40-mm stainless steel case with an anti-reflective domed sapphire dial window that looks just fantastic. It has a fine-polished bezel that looks beautiful against the finely brushed case, and lends itself to the pride of ownership and can stand up well to the abuse of daily use. The sapphire crystal really holds up well against most scratches and dings. Inside, there's an entirely black and white dial with very nice hands. They are extremely subtle and aesthetically beautiful with polished, pointed tips.

As for the caliber, the watch uses the legendary ETA 2834-2 movement. And although some users consider it a bit outdated, we found it to be of very high quality, accurate, and smooth to wind. We also liked the simplicity of one crown and the uniqueness of the "day date" placement. The fully written day with the date is placed between the "11 and "1" positions, instead of "12" marking, which is an unusual but visually pleasing design choice that makes the day quite easy to read.

The only slight gripe with this watch is that it comes with a leather band that takes about a week to wear in. At first, it might seem a bit too short, but once it is broken in, it should be quite comfortable. Other than that, the Hamilton™ Khaki King watch is just perfect.

About Style

The Hamilton Unisex Khaki King is neither a pure casual watch nor a pure business watch. With some polished touches and replaceable leather bands, this is one of the most versatile styles that we have encountered. It will go well with either shorts or a suit. Simply put, it can be worn for any occasion.

So, if you need an elegant watch that can send the correct signals in any situation, the Hamilton Unisex Khaki King timepiece should be a solid fit. With a congruent price-tag to boot, the watch can be also a good gift idea for the important people in your life. It has a unisex design with an adjustable leather strap (traditional buckle closure), so you can't go wrong with size.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $397.04
Stock In stock
ASIN B000AONZWQ

Military Timepiece

It’s hard to specify when the fascination with military watches began, but the fact remains that military timepieces are extremely popular nowadays. And that fascination brings us to the Hamilton Unisex Khaki Field. It doesn't meet any military specifications yet appears nearly identical to those iconic mil-spec Hamiltons made many years ago during World War I and World War II.

The watch is very nice-looking, with rugged build, and overall very well made. Its dial is cleaned up and has no extraneous branding besides the Hamilton logo at the top. The date window is neatly positioned in the right section, giving it clear visibility. The window shows just the date with no day, leaving a clean and legible dial that looks akin to that of early military field watches.

The matte-finished stainless case goes amazingly well with the khaki dial and band. Hamilton keeps the matte case super-thin at 9.5mm, which also gives the watch its vintage feel.

With a 38mm dial, the Khaki Field watch is quite small, at least for a modern watch. But on the other hand, this compact size makes the watch suitable for small ladies' wrists as well.

As you can see, it is hard to find a fault with this timepiece but if there is one, it pertains to the leather strap — it is quite absorbent. Hence, after sweaty days out in the sun, the strap might become discolored. Luckily, this issue can be solved with a replaceable strap.

Best For

As said, the Field Khaki watch doesn’t meet any military specifications, but what could be a better option to team with your bomber jacket or leather boots? The watch will surely capture the admiration of stylish people and collectors alike. It has quite a lot to bring to the table in terms of design, good tactile joy, and functionality.

It really offers a tremendous value for the money. Inside the watch, you’ll find a Swiss ETA 2804-2 movement, and outside - Convex crystal that is not often found in models in this price range. Plus, because of its low price tag, the Field Khaki is undoubtedly a good choice for those who are looking for their first mechanical watch.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $700.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0001WO7G0

One of the Quickest

The Jazzmaster watch boasts the reliability you might expect from any other Hamilton automatic watch but still, it comes with something extra. This watch features the 2824-2 movement that is made by ETA, a subsidiary of Swatch Watch Co. This type of movement is used in high-end watches like the Omega, which says a lot about its quality and accuracy. If you test its time-keeping ability vs. a battery-powered watch, you can expect that the Jazzmaster will pass the test with flying colors. The outstanding accuracy of +2 seconds daily with the 28,800 beats per hour makes it one of the quickest and best-valued pieces on the market.

When it comes to winding, you'll have no issues wearing this watch regularly. However, if your intent is to wear it only from time to time, we would suggest investing in a watch winder so that the Jazzmaster will be ready to go whenever you want.

Super Classy

Need something with a good amount of horological oomph? Then, this watch is obviously worth your attention. It's not only super accurate but also aesthetically attractive. If you're like us, you'll definitely be amazed at how beautiful the watch looks on a wrist. It's of just the perfect size so as to accentuate your wrist without overpowering it.

The round central section has a patterned design that adds distinction and flair to the unit, while the transparent back (showing the inner mechanism) makes the watch very special. The markings for the 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions are implemented in Arabic numerals, which more than anything, gives the watch an elegant and classy feel. The dark brown leather band adds a final special appeal to this timepiece; however, it might seem too stiff at first. Thus, it requires some breaking-in. With that being said, we consider that as a minor issue considering how luxurious the watch is.

At the very first glance, it becomes obvious that the Jazzmaster men's watch is a very high-quality model that will give you many years of use. You just can't go wrong with this Hamilton watch in the sub $500 range.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $528.17
Stock In stock
ASIN B0046AZ3UM

Upgraded!

The Men's Khaki Field Stainless Steel Automatic Watch is one of the most affordable models in the Hamilton line, yet it is no less functional, and let's check why. This model features the relatively new Hamilton "in house" Caliber H-10 movement that beats at a slower rate compared to ETA movement (21,600 beats per hour vs. 28,800 beats per hour) but it has a longer power reserve on the wrist. It has an 80-hour power reserve which most users find quite impressive, and many are happy to trade a lower beat per second for a larger reserve. In other words, you'll be able to wear this watch in a full rotation without worrying about it stopping. If necessary, you can manually wind it anytime.

Speaking about accuracy, it's also ultra-precise with hands that perfectly align - the long minute hand aligns ideally with the minute markings as the second hand crosses the "12". What is also notable, the second hand features the hacking function and can be stopped for more precise time-setting. That's a desirable feature for field watches, allowing users to set the exact time.

As far as the dial design is concerned, it's worth noting that the date here is shown in numbers only (not days). The date is situated on the right side, instead of the "3" marking, and rolls over promptly right at midnight.

Realiable Construction

This Hamilton timepiece is a stunning accessory that any man can be proud to display on his wrist. The slightly domed sapphire crystal looks posh and is a great feature in any classy watch, especially at this price point. The sapphire glints beautifully as it catches the light.

The 42-mm face is surrounded by a polished bezel, while the rest of the case is made of brushed stainless steel. As a final nod to the aesthetics, the stainless steel case has a see-through display at the back, so you can see the gorgeous movement.

But the major selling point of this watch is that it's water resistant up to 330 feet, meaning it's suitable not only for recreational swimming but for snorkeling as well. That's not a typical feature for most other Hamilton watches. Hence, if you're an active person who often visits the swimming pool, this casual watch is a sensible investment.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $430.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B000EQ0BM2

What Is a Hamilton Watch?

With over 100 years of successful experience, Hamilton boasts the unique combination of the American spirit and Swiss precision to produce luxurious and innovative watches. The company has achieved numerous milestones which have led to it becoming renowned brand today. It is one of the innovators that has changed the world of watchmaking forever. Today, Hamilton is a Swiss company (though American at heart) under the umbrella of the Swatch Group, which says a lot about the highest quality of their products. Hamilton watches can be comparable in quality and precision to premium Swiss brands. But if Rolex or Patek Philippe watches are too pricey, Hamilton is definitely within easy reach. Yet, Hamilton timepieces also include Swiss Made movement, quality, and a luxurious feel. So, if you’ve been toying with the idea of trading up from your old Timex watches for something more sophisticated and classy, it’s hard to think of any other brand that can offer everything Hamilton watches do at their price range. For this review, we have selected the best Hamilton watches with different price tags and styles to suit aficionados and style-conscious individuals alike.

To keep your watches ticking anytime, we kindly offer you to look through our selection of top-quality watch winders.

What Features to Compare

Movement

When you start familiarizing yourself with Hamilton watches, one of the most important things to come up is the movement. By "movement" we mean the inner mechanism that makes a watch’s hands sweep around its face. Simply put, it's the very essence of a watch. Basically, there are two types of Hamilton movements: mechanical and automatic.

  • Mechanical timepieces feature movement that is powered by a mainspring which should be wounded by hand regularly. Though mechanical movement might not seem that convenient, it represents the crème de la crème of watches for many aficionados. It is all about history, refinement, and high quality of craftsmanship. The engineering of tiny gears and springs that go into a mechanical watch is just stunning.
  • An automatic watch (or “self-winding” watch) uses almost the same mechanism but doesn’t require you to hand-wind it to keep ticking. Self-winding timepieces have a special slipping clutch device inside, which prevents them from getting over-wound while you’re wearing them. But if you haven't worn an automatic watch for a while, you’ll need to put it in a watch winder. The obvious benefit of this type of watch is that it doesn't require regular winding. But, as we mentioned above, that is simply a matter of taste - while some people find it to be a nuisance, others get pleasure from hand-winding.

Caliber

Basically, Hamilton engineers use H caliber or modified ETA movements. H calibers are a proprietary Hamilton invention, while ETA calibers are manufactured by the other Swiss companies. The main difference between these two types is in beats per hour (BPH) and power reserve. H calibers offer a lower BPH rate but increased power reserve. Also, it is believed that ETA calibers deliver a smoother sweep of the second hand.

Style

It goes without saying that a watch must not look out of place. Your watch should aesthetically and functionally compliment your status and style. So, you need to consider what type of watch will suit your needs. Hamilton watches are offered in a variety of styles including classic watches, aviation watches, dress watches, field watches, dive watches, driving watches, and more. They come with clear or posh faces, dials with simple markings or Arabic numerals, and leather or metal bands. It's up to you what suits you better.

Did you know?

How It All Began

The Hamilton Watch Company has a long history. It was officially formed in 1892 and produced its first watch in 1893. It was an 18-size 17-jewel pocket watch.

The factory the Hamilton company came to inhabit was previously home to three other watch companies, but none of them succeeded, although the equipment was the best in the business. Undoubtedly, something more lied beyond Hamilton’s success rather than the accuracy of fine mechanisms. The company created their models based on the latest American technology and engineering.

The company's first series of pocket watches was marketed as the "Watch of Railroad Accuracy" because they were extremely accurate and suitable for the American railroad industry. Hamilton didn’t make wristwatches until 1917.

The First Wristwatches

The first Hamilton wristwatch was designed especially for men entering World War I and was fitted with the 0-sized 17-jewel 983 movement.

Not surprisingly, Hamilton was the top supplier of watches during World War II. During the war, the company stopped the production of consumer watches with all watches being shipped to troops. They provided the army with a total of one million timepieces. The company also produced military chronographs, marine chronometers, and deck watches for the United States Navy. After the war, the watchmaker was honored by the US government.

The Innovator

Hamilton is the company that has changed the world of watchmaking forever. In 1957, the brand released the world’s first electric watch, Ventura. The watch was powered by a battery. Later on, the company presented the world’s first LED digital watch, Pulsar, first unveiled in 1970.

Top Movie Brand

Since 1951, the Hamilton company has also been known as the top Movie Brand. It began to associate with Hollywood and supply their watches for numerous movies. Their products have already appeared in more than 450 famous Hollywood films including "The Frogmen", "Interstellar", "Independence Day", and "The Martian".

Other Facts About the Company

  • Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, an American explorer, used a Hamilton watch during his flight over the South Pole.

  • Hamilton created a special watch for the New York Yankees in 1928. The owner of the team ordered the exclusive timepieces to honor his players for winning the World Series title. This special gift from Hamilton became a tradition for many years.

  • Hamilton is the only manufacturer that can boast of two stars in its flag. And it’s the only one that has an award for the production of precision timepieces.

  • Nowadays, Hamilton is owned by Swiss company under the umbrella of the Swatch Group. Still, it represents the perfect balance of American Spirit and Swiss Precision.

  • Since 2011, Hamilton has been producing timepieces together with ETA movements which allow for extended power reserves (up to 80 hours).

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