Watch Questions

[Mycroft]

I am planning on getting a Hamilton or copy of the Servicemen's Watch. Does Hamilton make it in Automatic or not? Also, if they don't should I get the automatic because I need the watch for travel and camping trips? Also, which are the acual Hamilton Servicemen's watch, please send a link from the Hamilton Website?

 

[Mycroft]

Thanks a bunch. DO you know a good place where to buy a green Hamilton Khaki?

 

[Mycroft]

I went on the Hamilton Website and the only one they had in Green was Mechanical. Is there an automatic or quartz one?

 

[Flitcraft]

Re: Service Watch

Do you want a bright green, or more olive drab?

I just looked on The Smithsonian Magazine website and they have what appears to be a manual wind Hamilton with a black dial. Th issue watches all pretty much had black dials and a silver metal(usually steel) case.
Occasionally, you see white dials with gold numbers, but black dials with white numbers are more common.

 

[Mycroft]

O.D., I can buy an automatic non-Hamilton Replica from a catlogouge maybe I should get that one?

 

[Mycroft]

Here is the non-Hamilton replica: http://www.sieglers.com/cgi-bin/Sieglers.storefront/42671e9b002b6a1e9c4dc0a80a6606c8/Product/View/151364?wt_prodno=151364&wt_cat=Apparel%20and%20Accessories&wt_subcat=Timepieces

But all these watches are mechanical!!

 

[Flitcraft]

Wow! That's a great watch at a good price!
Benrus made U.S. issue watches from WWII to Vietnam!
Just one caveat: Mechanical= Manual Wind. You will need to wind this watch every day.

 

[Mycroft]

Yea, that my issue. I still think that for what I am using it for an Automatic is better.

 

[Flitcraft]

Well, your question got me looking.
As far as appearance, I like the quartz better.
Are you going for a vintage look, or just want something for a "beater"?
For real vintage, try a site called Wartimers. They have the real deal in issue watches, but they're a little expensive, but good value for what you're getting.

 

[wackyvorlon]

*cough* A watch with hacking for $149?! There has to be something funky with it. I don't see it off-hand, though. A quick point: Automatic watches are mechanical. Besides, a mechanical watch will last centuries more than a quartz.

 

[Flitcraft]

"Mechanical" vs "Automatic"

Wackyorlon:
Point well taken! "Automatic" watches are "Mechanical"- its just that the mechanical ones must be wound daily. If you want a "set it and forget" model, your choices are narrowed down to automatic vs. quartz.
Interestingly enough, the British military specs for wristwatches specified the "mechanical" manual wind movements for issue watches through the 1960's. The thinking was in line with your comment: the watches will last practically forever, even under battlefield conditions, and, at the time, there really weren't any affordable and reliable automatic movements available.

 

[Mycroft]

Very cool, I will consider, thank.