The Watch
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Issued from 1973-1975, The Hamilton "W10" was created with an major change to W10's of old, a kind of monocoque case so that the movement was placed into the watch and fixed in place from the front of the case.
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A huge testament to the Quality of the Hamilton W10 was that it was used ubiquitously by every branch of the British armed forces, such was its popularity.
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The way to tell which branch a vintage watch was commissioned for was to look at the back. W10 denotes the British Army issue, 6BB, which this one is, means that the watch was issued to the Royal Air Force, 0555 Royal Marines and 0552 for the Royal Navy.
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The way to tell which branch a vintage watch was commissioned for was to look at the back. W10 denotes the British Army issue, 6BB, which this one is, means that the watch was issued to the Royal Air Force, 0555 Royal Marines and 0552 for the Royal Navy.
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This guy is quite seldom seen with only 3,700 Hamilton Geneve's issued in 1974 (according to chronopedia) It boasts a fully serviced Hacking 649 movement. One for the serious Military Collection.
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Age: 1974.
Reference: "6bb" British Royal Air Force Issue.
Movement: Manual wind with Hacking Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 649.
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Last Known Service 2021.
Dial: Original Hamilton Mil Spec Dial.
Dial: Original Hamilton Mil Spec Dial.
Case: All Stainless Steel.
Measurements: without/with Crown: 35.7mm/37.7mm End to End: 41.2mm
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic Crystal.
Crystal: Correct Acrylic Crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: New 18mm Black NATO Style strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 18mm
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- 1 of only 3700 Issued in 1974.
- Fully Serviced Hacking Movement.
- Issued to a Pilot, does it get any cooler?
- Excellent Condition.
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Nitty Gritty:
- Some very very minor scratches to the Case.
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Overall the Hamilton is in Excellent Vintage condition, one of the best 6bb's I have had the pleasure of handling.
The Dial is in excellent, all original condition.
Steel Case is in very good nick, there are minor age related scratches.
Caseback markings are very nice.
Original Crown has a few scratches.
Crystal in excellent condition.
Hands are in lovely shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.