Good value if you are looking for these features ...
This watch has two fundamental components that make it desirable to “watch nerds”: The Swiss ETA 2804-2 17 jewel hand-wind hacking movement, and the sapphire crystal. If you were to buy the components separately (case with crystal, movement, face, hands, strap), you would not be able to assemble a watch for the price I found it here. This watch has zero frills, and is purely built around the movement and crystal.
The ETA movement operates at 28,800 beats per minute (bpm), compared to the standard 21,600 bpm of the movements in the Seiko 5 models. All other factors equal, the higher bpm would probably mean better accuracy. But Seiko has excellent machining, and this watch has about the same accuracy as my Seiko 5. I gain 6 - 7 sec/day.
I prefer the manual wind over the automatic (Seiko 5’s are automatic) because it is thinner and lighter. It’s also a lot less common. Though manual wind was the norm in the 1950’s & 60’s, most mechanical watches today are automatic. I speculate one possible downside to manual wind is the seal around the stem might wear out faster because you operate the stem more often than you do on the automatic. That ultimately might affect its water resistant rating.
If it’s just the looks you are after, the Seiko SNK805 or the Citizen BM8180-03E are substantially less expensive and have a similar flavor to their appearance. Neither have a sapphire crystal. The Citizen is solar and will run for the next 30 years without a battery change. I would not buy the Hamilton as a gift for someone unless you know they want the Swiss movement and sapphire crystal. If they don’t have an aesthetic appreciation for those things, then you are paying more for something that will go unnoticed. That being said, if that’s what you are after, this watch comes at a great value.
This watch is rated at 50M for water resistance, which means it’s suitable for swimming but not skin diving (30M is only splash resistant – see water resistant ratings on Wikipedia). There are some reports that this watch has leaked when exposed to rain! I haven’t tested mine for that. I don’t intend to swim in it, but do prefer a watch I can get wet and not have to worry about it. I don’t know what Hamilton’s repair policy is in the event the watch did leak. Hence, in the absence of other reports stating it does hold up to swimming, I treat my watch as splash resistant only. That's the one bummer.
Because of the reports about the leaking, I give this watch 4 instead of 5 stars. I’m quite happy with mine, but I disclose I am a watch nerd.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
