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Mortuus Fakeuus
Hamilton Khaki King Scuba Automatic GMT Dial
I picked this up about a week or so ago from the good folks at Jomashop, and while this isn't a per se full-on review, I do want to show it off a bit whilst at the same time saying that I've enjoyed it immensely, especially since I wasn't expecting to ever see one of these at a price even approaching affordability. This is but one more reason why Hamilton -- in both contemporary and vintage iterations -- is fast becoming my favorite brand of watch.
At 41mm, the case is the perfect size for comfort and ease of wear, while the 'pie-tin' shaped dial and the bezel are both still very easy to read. Nonetheless, I probably wouldn't recommend it as a true diving watch, given how fast it goes from light to dark under the water, which would tend to just as quickly render the relatively small dial invisible. Still, you could use it as such if you had to, given its 330-ft of water resistance. In truth, though, it's a watch that looks both sporty and dressy at one and the same time while on dry land, thus making it practical for anything from semi-formal to leisure wear, and everything in between -- including, perhaps, the neighbors' swimming pool (unless, of course, it happens to be deeper than, say, 100 meters or so). Take a look at these dial details (and while you're at it, please accept my apologies for the not-so-hot pix):
Have a gander at the day and date functions at 12 and six o'clock, respectively. These are two of the features that give this watch its semi-formal appearance; the silver framing surrounding each window is both functional (helping you more quickly see the respective windows) and decorative. The "GMT Dial", as Hamilton refers to it, is basically the addition of a second -- and much smaller -- ring of numerals in the classic military, or 24-hour design, just inside the standard hour markers. This has the potential, I think, to confuse some would-be buyers into thinking that he or she is actually getting a GMT watch, given the wording in the title as used by Hamilton. However, one good look at the watch itself, and the purchaser should easily see that there's no GMT hand, thus disabusing him/her of the idea that this is your basic GMT watch. Bottom line: it's not a GMT watch, but rather a watch with a GMT[-like] dial. (Yeah, I know...)
The details you'd expect from a Hamilton are all there, from the simple signature on the dual-button, fold-over single deployant clasp, to the crisp layout of the firm, sixty-click bezel, to the no-nonsense oyster-type bracelet, and even the brightly polished applied silver numerals on the dial. (Not sure just why they elected to make the 3 and 9 so much larger than the other hour markers, but it doesn't detract in the least from the watch's classic -- and classy -- appearance.) The case and bracelet are 100 percent brushed stainless steel which, if you're a typical 'urn diver,' such as myself, helps to hide many of the minor little wounds that happen as a matter of course when wearing this watch on a day-to-day basis -- which, given the genuinely excellent appearance and comfort of this watch, you may find yourself doing. A lot.
Engineering-wise, it's got the ETA 2834-2 movement, which is essentially the 2824-2 with day and date wheels added and their windows placed as far apart as possible, at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. As already noted, this is an attractive -- albeit unusual -- departure from what most of us are used to when we look at 'standard' diver watches currently on the market. Add in sapphire crystals, front and back, along with a nicely decorated rotor, and you find that it's as pleasing to the eye as it is your 'inner engineer.' (I personally don't believe in the concept of the 'inner child' for you WIS's out there; we, I believe, are blessed instead with the aforementioned 'inner engineer.' And if there is an inner child? Well, to quote Don Henley, "I'd like to find your inner child and kick its little ass.")
"But what of the lume?" you ask, your pulses pounding, your anticipation building and all your senses straining to see it in all its glory... Well, it's not bad. Not bad at all, really. The hands are nicely lumed, and the hours are represented with small-but-bright pips that stay well-lighted for a good seven minutes or so before fading away, thereby easily passing the Mortuus Quick-Glance-in-a-Closed-Casket Test. (Oh, damn. Anybody seen my locking handle? Hello? Anyone?)
(Bang-thump-BANG! Anyone out there? Anyone?)
(Thump-thump-THUMP!! Hey! HEY! This is seriously not funny! I'd bet money that it's that f#%@*&$ Conju--hey! HEY!)
So there you have it, the Dead Guy's quick 'n dirty on what truly is an exceptional watch in every category. It's one of those outstanding Hamilton pieces that they just seem to effortlessly turn out, year after year, decade after decade. Thus far, this one has lived up to its family name in spades, and I don't see that changing anytime soon, which is good, because it's got a lot of wrist time ahead of it.
Many thanks for stopping by; your time here is always very much appreciated.
At 41mm, the case is the perfect size for comfort and ease of wear, while the 'pie-tin' shaped dial and the bezel are both still very easy to read. Nonetheless, I probably wouldn't recommend it as a true diving watch, given how fast it goes from light to dark under the water, which would tend to just as quickly render the relatively small dial invisible. Still, you could use it as such if you had to, given its 330-ft of water resistance. In truth, though, it's a watch that looks both sporty and dressy at one and the same time while on dry land, thus making it practical for anything from semi-formal to leisure wear, and everything in between -- including, perhaps, the neighbors' swimming pool (unless, of course, it happens to be deeper than, say, 100 meters or so). Take a look at these dial details (and while you're at it, please accept my apologies for the not-so-hot pix):
Have a gander at the day and date functions at 12 and six o'clock, respectively. These are two of the features that give this watch its semi-formal appearance; the silver framing surrounding each window is both functional (helping you more quickly see the respective windows) and decorative. The "GMT Dial", as Hamilton refers to it, is basically the addition of a second -- and much smaller -- ring of numerals in the classic military, or 24-hour design, just inside the standard hour markers. This has the potential, I think, to confuse some would-be buyers into thinking that he or she is actually getting a GMT watch, given the wording in the title as used by Hamilton. However, one good look at the watch itself, and the purchaser should easily see that there's no GMT hand, thus disabusing him/her of the idea that this is your basic GMT watch. Bottom line: it's not a GMT watch, but rather a watch with a GMT[-like] dial. (Yeah, I know...)
The details you'd expect from a Hamilton are all there, from the simple signature on the dual-button, fold-over single deployant clasp, to the crisp layout of the firm, sixty-click bezel, to the no-nonsense oyster-type bracelet, and even the brightly polished applied silver numerals on the dial. (Not sure just why they elected to make the 3 and 9 so much larger than the other hour markers, but it doesn't detract in the least from the watch's classic -- and classy -- appearance.) The case and bracelet are 100 percent brushed stainless steel which, if you're a typical 'urn diver,' such as myself, helps to hide many of the minor little wounds that happen as a matter of course when wearing this watch on a day-to-day basis -- which, given the genuinely excellent appearance and comfort of this watch, you may find yourself doing. A lot.
Engineering-wise, it's got the ETA 2834-2 movement, which is essentially the 2824-2 with day and date wheels added and their windows placed as far apart as possible, at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. As already noted, this is an attractive -- albeit unusual -- departure from what most of us are used to when we look at 'standard' diver watches currently on the market. Add in sapphire crystals, front and back, along with a nicely decorated rotor, and you find that it's as pleasing to the eye as it is your 'inner engineer.' (I personally don't believe in the concept of the 'inner child' for you WIS's out there; we, I believe, are blessed instead with the aforementioned 'inner engineer.' And if there is an inner child? Well, to quote Don Henley, "I'd like to find your inner child and kick its little ass.")
"But what of the lume?" you ask, your pulses pounding, your anticipation building and all your senses straining to see it in all its glory... Well, it's not bad. Not bad at all, really. The hands are nicely lumed, and the hours are represented with small-but-bright pips that stay well-lighted for a good seven minutes or so before fading away, thereby easily passing the Mortuus Quick-Glance-in-a-Closed-Casket Test. (Oh, damn. Anybody seen my locking handle? Hello? Anyone?)
(Bang-thump-BANG! Anyone out there? Anyone?)
(Thump-thump-THUMP!! Hey! HEY! This is seriously not funny! I'd bet money that it's that f#%@*&$ Conju--hey! HEY!)
So there you have it, the Dead Guy's quick 'n dirty on what truly is an exceptional watch in every category. It's one of those outstanding Hamilton pieces that they just seem to effortlessly turn out, year after year, decade after decade. Thus far, this one has lived up to its family name in spades, and I don't see that changing anytime soon, which is good, because it's got a lot of wrist time ahead of it.
Many thanks for stopping by; your time here is always very much appreciated.
