Finding a specific Hamilton (or mid-priced watch)

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I am interested in buying a specific Hamilton watch. I'm treating myself for my birthday. It seems like the nicest watch in my price range, and I have narrowed my choice to the following three:

Hamilton #1

Hamilton #2

Hamilton #3

I think I would ideally like the face on #1 with the strap on #3 but my thinking is to choose the face I like best; straps are replaceable.

So, the questions:

1. I'm having a hard time tracking these down. I live in NYC and went to a Tourneau but they only had a few options. I have narrowed my choice down to this size (tried on a larger size and it didn't suit me) and would like to try these on. Where can I do this? Online is a distant second option, and it would have to have a proven customer service record with easy returns should the watch not suit me.

2. How often do you have to get an automatic watch cleaned/serviced, and how much does that cost?

3. In lieu of a Hamilton, are there any similar watches (think: classic, brown strap, clean face) that you would recommend, in a similar price range ($500?) and where in NYC could I shop them?

I very much appreciate your help.

 

[Epaulet]

Does the watch have to be new? If you're open to vintage, then you can't go wrong with a 60's Omega Seamaster. There's a bunch of them on Ebay at any given time. You can get a fully refurbished watch with a warranty for around that price. And, as most of them are sold by watch stores or full-time dealers, you can probably ask them to switch the strap out for a brown one. I found this one after a quick search. I've never bought from this guy, so it's not necessarily a recommendation - but I think it looks good!

http://tinyurl.com/5xrktx

 

[knittieguy]

Of the three Hamiltons, I'd go with #3. I've got to tell you, I had a chrono once and you never ever use the stopwatch. There really isn't much point to it.

 

[Douglas]

Hamiltons are great watches and all three you've posted are classy, but the non-chrono is the classiest to my eye. It retains the nice center circle design on the face without cluttering it with subdials, for the cleanest and most elegant appearance. I tend also to dislike the big chrono buttons.

Vintage Seamasters are awesome and can represent a great deal. However, on eBay, they are as likely as not to be Frankenwatches. You have to do a lot of research and make sure you get photos of the case, movement, etc. with all markings, and cross-reference on the Omega site. Take this advice from someone who is wearing a, umm, genetically re-engineered vintage Seamaster as he types.

 

[whacked]

As far as chronos go, I think most people get them for the look, instead of actual timing needs, anyway.

The Hamilton looks best in black dial IMO:

For Hammy non-chrono, the Jazzmaster is more versatile:

If I get the Khaki Auto thou, I'd get it in a different color dial and put on NATO band. Great beataround watch.

Image courtesy of PMWF and TZ.

 

[mass_biker]

I have a Hamilton Field Automatic - got it for our 5th wedding anniversary. It was my "casual" watch to supplant the dressier watch I got when we got engaged. The original watch strap finally wore out after a few years (it is tough wearing brown leather) and I replaced it with a black Hamilton strap, which makes it more appropriate for business environments (something about the very clean black dial and the black leather strap).

In the 5+ years I've owned it, it has kept terrific time. It has an extremely burly and well proven ETA movement. I haven't had to baby it at all. So far, I haven't required a full-on cleaning, but it's probably due for one - I find my automatic watches go about 5 or so years between cleaning.

I went with the Field Automatic as it has a 38mm face - not too big or gaudy. The face is extremely legible and easy to read in a snap. I think less is more when it comes to watches. A nice clean face, nice lines, nice aesthetics, uncluttered etc...leave all the dials and doo-hickeys for your digital or sports watch.

 

[blank]

Thanks everyone.

I live and work in a very casual environment, so "dressy" isn't really my take on it.

After seeing that picture, I am leaning toward the black face. Anyone know the cost and where I can get it?

 

[blank]

Reliable?

http://www.glooks.com/watches/watch_...hamiltonn&cat=

 

[highball]

Good choice on the Field Chrono. That with a black face in 42mm will likely be my next watch. I believe prices range from about $650 online to $1100 if you pay full retail at Tourneau. I think I've heard there's a gray market dealer that's pretty reliable somewhere just off 5th in the 50's but not sure of the name or if they're still there. If you're worried about buying online, you can go over to TimeZone and they have a sister forum that's linked to where watch enthusiasts post good/bad reviews of online dealers. Btw most online dealers that post prices are often gray market so just make sure you sort out whether or not there's a warranty, etc. beforehand.

 

[speedster.8]

overstock has quite a few at good prices http://www.overstock.com/search?taxonomy=sto4&SearchType=watchsw&keywords=hamilton&x=0&y=0

 

[blank]

Anyone know if that site I pointed to is grey market?

What about this one?

http://www.gemnation.com/watches/Ham...Auto-3213.html
That's even cheaper! And it says:

"Packaging and Documentation: This watch is GUARANTEED 100% authentic, has ORIGINAL SERIAL NUMBERS and is shipped in FACTORY-FRESH, BRAND NEW, UNWORN condition with ALL manufacturer documentation and packaging. Package contains watch manufacturer's certificate of authenticity (if such certificate is applicable, and provided by the manufacturer), tags, stickers, boxes, and user manuals ."

 

[blank]

Any thoughts on gemnation? Looks to have some pretty positive reviews from a quick Googling, but I trust forum opinions.

 

[speedster.8]

Did not overstock have the one you wanted? I understand quite a lot of forumites have been happy with their service. If you want to purchase from gemnation send them an email to check if they actually have anything in stock. Did a quick search for you: http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Gem_Nation

 

[blank]

Overstock doesn't have that watch in stock, sadly.

 

[jimbo123]

I personally like the Hamilton Jazzmaster best.