Hamilton is an iconic American Watch Brand with a rich history. Here’s an overview of their best timepieces.
They are highly-respected in the watch community and one of the most affordable brands with popular offerings in every price class.
Hamilton continues to refine its selection by adding a variety of popular retro models. And nearly all of Hamilton’s styles are perfect for everyday wear and almost any occasion.
Quick Take
Short on time? Here are our top two picks for the best Hamilton watches you can buy right now:
The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is one of the most famous field watches of all time and definitely one of the top Hamilton watches.
The BelowZero is a 46mm military-inspired dive watch with 1,000m of water resistance and a super durable sapphire crystal. It also features a helium release valve for those who actually use it for diving.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
History of Hamilton
Beginning in 19th century Pennsylvania, Hamilton focused on making watches to support industrial development, specifically, pocket watches to synchronize railway timing.
Hamilton continued producing tool watches through the turn of the century. During World War I, they were one of the main watch and clock suppliers for the U.S. Military.
The success of these endeavors led Hamilton to transition to aviation watches and chronometers for the Navy. As a result, Hamilton was able to refine both their accuracy and design notes. In fact, you can see a lot of industrial and military styles in all their watches.
Hamilton gained more national attention in the 1950s with the launch of the Ventura. The Ventura was the world’s first battery-powered watch, revolutionizing the industry.
The watch and its military design caught the eye of many, including Elvis Presley who wore it in the film Blue Hawaii, foreshadowing Hamilton’s aggressive entry into Hollywood.
From there, Hamilton continued to refine its technology, introducing automatic movements and one of the world’s first digital watches. This included the ultra-futuristic Pulsar.
Hamilton went on to join the Swatch group in 1969 and continues to focus on innovative tool watch designs today.
What Makes Hamilton Watches So Good?
Despite being a part of the Swiss watch group, Hamilton is an iconic American watch that stays true to its rich industrial heritage.
Hamilton makes functional, timeless watches that are both stylish and accurate. They also make some of the best adventure watches on the market for those looking for a multi-faceted timepiece.
Hamilton is one of the better-marketed brands for watches, punching well above its weight class. Hamilton watches are easily recognized in films such as Men in Black, Pearl Harbor, and Interstellar.
In every film, the main character can be seen sporting a Hamilton timepiece. This relationship has heightened the brand’s status and made it a cultural icon all across the watch community.
16 Best Hamilton Watches
Here are the five best Hamilton watches, in our humble opinion…
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical
Genuine field watches are extremely rare. The Hamilton Khaki Field is among the best available. The Hamilton Khaki is a 38mm military-inspired watch that stays true to its roots. It features a black watch face with large, legible markers including a 24-hour time indicator.
The watch also features a manual-wind automatic movement with 42 hours of power reserve. It also features a sapphire crystal and 50mm water resistance.
The Hamilton Khaki comes in a variety of watch faces, but the black dial with the luminous hands gives it a truly vintage feel. Also, the watch features a green NATO strap that fits the classic military vibe perfectly.
More importantly, it’s one of the most famous field watches of all time and definitely one of the top Hamilton watches. It is extremely affordable at roughly $329.
Hamilton Khaki Pilot Watch
Pilot’s watches are extremely popular for two key reasons. Firstly, they tap into our sense of exploration and travel. Secondly, they are extremely functional. Well-made pilot’s watches usually offer several complications that make it a perfect travel companion.
The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot’s watch is a great example of a well-executed pilot’s watch, stainless steel, 45mm, with a sapphire crystal. The watch also offers an automatic movement and is water-resistant to 200m.
However, the watch’s true appeal is the large, legible face. Pilot’s watches require quick referencing and even some low-level guidance when needed. The Hamilton Khaki Aviation features the traditional pilot’s markers with the hours on the inner area.
It also features a day-date complication at the 3 o’clock position as well. For these features, the $687 price tag is extremely reasonable.
Hamilton Khaki King II
Watch brands are rarely able to claim a signature design element in watches. From cyclops windows on Rolexes to helium release valves on Omegas, certain elements scream a certain brand.
The Hamilton Khaki King II features one of Hamilton’s signature design elements, the day window at the 12 o’clock position.
The day window displays the full day of the week with a smaller date window beneath it. It is well proportioned on a smooth black watch face with Hamilton’s classic 24-hour markings.
The Khaki King II is a compact 40mm military-inspired watch. It features Hamilton’s H-40 automatic movement and an impressive power reserve of 80 hours. It also has a unique display case back which allows the wearer to see the quality of Hamilton’s movement.
The watch is very affordable at around $380.
Hamilton Khaki BelowZero Black Dial
Hyper-functional tactical watches can be somewhat commonplace. Many brands such as Casio already offer some of the most popular options on the market. However, Hamilton made a major splash with the BelowZero.
Originally released in 2008 as an answer to both G-Shock and deep-sea dive watches, the BelowZero is a 46mm military-inspired dive watch with 1,000m of water resistance and a super durable sapphire crystal. It also features a helium release valve for those who actually use it for diving.
The BelowZero features a rubber strap with a PVD coated screw-in case back. The watch is extremely durable with a sapphire crystal and Hamilton’s automatic movement with 46 hours of power reserve.
This watch is the most expensive Hamilton at roughly $1600 but can be found cheaper on the secondary market.
Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Auto
Not only is this Hamilton Khaki Field Auto a reasonable (and classically accurate) 38mm in size, but its titanium construction wears lighter and more comfortably than does a stainless steel watch. Of course, it’s still just as durable.
On top of that, titanium has a slightly matte look about it, which gives it a borderline gunmetal hue, just with a touch of shine on its impeccable brushing.
It’s distinct, but not loudly so, and overall more sophisticated than its mechanical cousins in the subline.
The finishing and extra lines, seen specifically through the highlighted all-Arabic indices, add class and complexity to the field watch template while upping the legibility.
Speaking of function, it runs on Hamilton’s H-10, a beautifully-patterned movement with an 80-hour power reserve, viewable through the caseback.
Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto
What I love about Hamilton’s Khaki Navy Scuba is how it almost seems to combine iconic elements from classic templates to create a unique but familiar look. I highly recommend this watch if you’re looking for a Swiss Made dive that turns heads without breaking rules.
The indices have a flush and arrow-like look similar to the broad arrow Seamasters but the dimensionality of a Seiko Turtle. Meanwhile, the silhouette and bezel are either Submariner-esque or just classic canon, depending on who you ask. The 24-hour dial and raised middle links on the bracelet give it some military muscularity without being in-your-face.
It’s an overall pro timepiece with a bright finish, lively color, and a reliable movement.
Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Auto
Imagine a tough military G-Shock beater, but “Hamiltonified.” I’m talking about a matte, sturdy, and spec-forward tool that’s been poured into a more traditional Swiss silhouette, with a refined use of textures. Drumroll please for the Hamilton Khaki Frogman Auto.
This watch’s robust rubber strap not only provides strong, comfortable, and waterproof wear, but it also looks super rugged next to the beautifully granular dial. Top that off with the industrial-looking crown protector, and you’ve got one submarine of a watch.
It’s an undeniably bigger-is-better instrument, with a deep dive aesthetic and a lot of character.
Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical
The Mechanical Pioneer from Hamilton’s aviator line offers intrigue on several levels. Its 36mm cushion case provides a fun and distinct silhouette that also wears easily on your wrist.
The dial is based on a traditional field watch template, with tropical accents for a vintage vibe. The sophisticated gray texturing on the background combines organic aesthetics with illustrative linework, a similar idea to putting a marble bar in an industrial, former warehouse loft.
Plus, this watch is a mechanical hand-wind. Hamilton is one of the few watch brands out there that have as many mechanical watches as automatics and quartz pieces, which I love. It adds an engagement factor that’s only as outdated as, well, wearing a wristwatch to keep time.
This watch is also inspired by those used by the British Air Force in the ‘70s, so the tactility factor adds to the historical relevance factor — both being classic prerequisites in what makes a good watch.
Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic Chronograph H
Similar to how Hamilton is a cheat code for affordable Swiss Made watches, this Intra-Matic Chronograph H from the American Classic fills a gap in the market for the coveted black-and-white chronograph.
It’s a well-engineered model, complete with a Swiss mechanical movement, at a much lower price point than the exotic-dial Daytonas of the world, but at a much higher-end spot than quartz or even mecha-quartz options with the same look.
The vintage-cool design and feel is cinched by the hand-winding functionality and a sapphire crystal that’s boxed, so that it still has the heritage look but with modern-day scratch-resistance.
Hamilton American Classic PSR Digital Quartz
Another Hamilton with lowkey cultural cache, the PSR Digital from the American Classic collection graced the silver screen as Bond’s timepiece of choice in Live and Let Die. Moreover, it’s a descendant of Hamilton’s Pulsar, which was the first digital watch in the world.
Lore and pedigree aside, this retro-futuristic watch has a cool, always-striking look about it. Sure, it was trendy in the ‘70s, but the borderline 2001: A Space Odyssey look will always be refreshingly unique, regardless of whether it’s fully in-vogue or not.
Functionally, the 100 meters of water resistance and scratch-resistant sapphire also prove that this guy definitely isn’t just a fashion watch.
Hamilton Ventura Quartz
Straight from Hamilton’s archives of greatest hits, the original Ventura came out in 1957. Though iconically impractical in style, it was also the first battery-powered, electrical watch. So, it isn’t just all looks.
Of course, it’s immediately recognizable thanks to its Mid-Century, shield-shaped case. What’s cool about it though, is that it’s still daring today, since it’s a style very few have tried to mimic.
Checking both the unique design box as well as the pop culture one, Elvis wore this very model in his 1961 film, Blue Hawaii. Basically, this watch gets overlapping respect from mid-century design fans, vintage fans, and music memorabilia lovers.
Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto
The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter is the watch version of a scientist adventurer who also knows a thing or two about wine pairings.
It’s a classically sturdy and legible pilot watch, though the slide rule, which old aviator timepieces used to have so that pilots could make conversions while up in the air, provides a gadgety aesthetic. On top of that, the flawless finishing, sunray dial, and two story crown bring everything together in an elegant package.
Running on Hamilton’s H-10 automatic, this watch boasts an 80-hour power reserve and temperature and shock-resistant precision thanks to the movement’s titanium-based Nivachron balance spring.
Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pioneer Mechanical Chrono
In the best ways possible, the Khaki Aviation Pioneer Chrono is just like the other throwback military watches.
It’s based on a real model, in this case the ones used by British Air Force Pilots in the ‘70s, it features high-level applications and brushing, a dimensional case, and exquisite texturing throughout the dial.
In other ways, it’s completely different. It’s a mechanical chronograph that’s fun to operate, with subdials adorned with fascinating wavy compositions. It makes it look cool, but the contrasting texturing also makes it easier to read from basically any angle.
Overall, it’s the resident chronograph in Hamilton’s vintage military family.
Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer Bronze Mechanical
The extraordinary and classy heirloom vibe of this Khaki Aviation Pioneer is rooted in the foundation of its design. The body of the case is modeled after a World War II pocket watch called Model 23.
The beautifully finished bronze construction also features a dashing onion crown, which happens to be exceptionally grippy. Good thing too, since this watch is also powered by a mechanical movement, giving it a satisfying pocket-watch-like hands-on quality.
Its athletic aesthetic is tempered by moments of ornateness, like the textured dial, and the cathedral hands, resulting in a sport watch with old world charm that’s entirely unstuffy.
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Bronze
A more traditional bronze offering, this Hamilton Khaki Field is simply another variation of their flagship mechanical field watch.
It has a legible 24-hour dial, flush outer track, and a H-50 hand-wound movement which has an impressive 80-hour power reserve. Naturally, it still has the traditional 38mm case as well.
What makes the bronze colorway special is that it leans harder into the overall vintage look. It also matches artifact-like rawness of the brown leather strap, and will continue to as it patinates throughout time. It has an Indiana Jones vibe, and would look excellent with workwear or leather jackets.
Hamilton Khaki Field King Auto
Yet another example of how a colorway change can completely transform the look and feel of a classic design, this Khaki Field King, reference H64455523, is a touch dressier than the go-to black. The silver dial offers less contrast but a lot more shine, and highlights the steps and lines on the dial.
The all-Arabic indices are on a track of their own, which helps with legibility in the same way lined notebook paper keeps everything organized.
Otherwise, it’s as reliable as any other Khaki King. Everything is there, from its scratch-resistant sapphire to its beautiful H-40 automatic movement with a power reserve of 80 hours.
FAQs
Here’s what people are asking about Hamilton:
Is Hamilton a good brand of watch?
Yes. Their core line isn’t considered luxury, but they’re a relatively affordable brand of Swiss Made timepieces with designs rooted in American heritage.
Is Hamilton a good investment watch?
They’re definitely good for their price. If you’re thinking more about how one would do in auction, however, certain vintage models with good provenance (the Venturas around the time Elvis wore one, for example) are “investment watches” in that sense. As far as contemporary models, that’s harder to predict, though limited editions are better bets.
Are all Hamilton watches Swiss made?
Though Hamilton started in America, it was bought by Swatch, so modern Hamilton watches are Swiss Made.
Conclusion
Hamilton is a well-respected watch brand with an amazing history. Their adventure watches, particularly the Field Mechanical, are some of the most popular in the industry.
Hamilton also offers watches that are immensely recognizable due to their aggressive marketing. Hamilton is a great choice for nearly every watch collector or even those just starting their hobby.
Comments? Leave them below!
Hamiltons most expensive watch is not the below Zero, there are quite a few that are far more expensive, like there American Intromatic Classic which is $2255.95 or the Khaki Aviation at $3255, then there is there JazzMaster Face2Face which is near Rolex prices at $6365. They are by no means not all cheap. As they are owned by the Swiss Swatch group that owns Omega, harry Winston, Breguet and Glashutte,
I own a vintage Jazzmaster, a Marine ( my current favorite) and 42mm khaki with the steel bracelet. The Jazzmster has the Valjoux 7750 movement, the other two are ETA 2824-2 movements except the Khaki has the H-10 modified ETA.
All three of these get noticed and keep very good time. Recommended.
Yes, you can wear a digital watch for cheap or an Apple Watch that tracks your life and sends your into to god know where. But the only legitimate jewelry a man can wear is a watch, not flashy rings or gold chains, they can send a wrong message.
A tasteful automatic watch is the best accessory you can wear.
If I was gonna get a Hamilton it would have to be the new Ventura,if I’m gonna spend some cash on a watch I want people to remember it,lol