Your Cart

Nothing in cart

Hamilton Dive Watch
Shop Highlights

Hamilton Dive Watch - Men's Choice to Go Under the Surface

It's time to explore the ocean with the cool Hamilton dive watch collections.
May 30, 2021

Are you on the lookout for some navy watch inspiration? Allow Hamilton to take you on a tour of the best Hamilton dive watch and underwater timekeepers. Our Khaki Navy range, inspired by maritime pioneers and built with ocean explorers in mind, is sure to make a splash in the style stakes. These watches are at home on, in, or under the water, thanks to their luminescent displays and the assurance of Hamilton accuracy.

Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Blue Ref. H77705145

Case

This model has a 46mm titanium case and is three times as water-resistant as my 42mm stainless steel tester (up to 1000 meters). The 42mm stainless steel models come in red, blue, or black, but the big boy is only seen in red.

hamilton dive watch

Crown

The screw-down cap that covers the crown is a special feature of the Hamilton dive watch - Khaki Navy Frogman, and it's one of the reasons even the smaller version fits so big. There's more to this than meets the eye.

The signed cap is attached to a short arm with two articulation points. I thought the piece labeled "LOCK" was a lock of some kind, but it's just for show. The arm/cap combination is well-made, and the large cap makes it easy to open and close.

The crown can be accessed by unscrewing the cap and swinging it up and down. Even so, working the crown is often hampered by the cap. The crown is a straightforward knurled push-pull mechanism that winds and sets the Swiss H-10 movement within.

Movement

Fortunately, since the H-10 is an automatic, its 80-hour autonomy can prevent you from having to fiddle with the cap as long as you keep the watch going. The H-10 is built on the ETA 2824-2 and is a rebranded ETA C07.111.

The C07.111 has already been used on a few other Swatch Group timepieces. The C07.111 doubles the 2824's regular power reserve by lowering the frequency from 28,800/bph to 21,600. 

hamilton dive watch

Bezel

The bezel is mounted on top of a thick slab-sided case with a sturdy back. The 42mm x 12mm case is significant in weight and form, adding to the watch's grand appearance. Even if the ties may be a little stronger, the bracelet helps keep all that weight under control.

The polished center links and brushed outer links have a pleasant finish that complements the brushed case. With four ratcheting micro-adjustments to dial in the size or fit a wetsuit, the push-button clasp mechanism is crisp. 

Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Red Ref. H77725335

Crown & Case

The new Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman, which comes in a 46-millimeter titanium shell, straddles the line between purpose-built tool and completely unapologetic fun Hamilton dive watch. Its colossal proportions, enormous crown lock, and bold indices scream, "Look at me!" By comparison, its shiny, in-your-face red bezel and accents, “LOCK” designated crown protector, and almost laughably tiny date window sticking out from the middle of the dial all make it such a cheerful and happy-looking thing that I'm sure I couldn't help but smile as I lifted it from the table.

hamilton dive watch

Attention to detail is on par with what one would expect from Hamilton, demonstrating the high level of execution that today's more affordable brands can achieve. Even up close, all case components, especially the crown and its locking mechanism, look fantastic, and the warm hue and smoothly polished surface of the titanium case add to the overall wearing experience.

An armature connects the lock to the case, preventing it from falling off when unscrewed. Underneath the big, Hamilton-logo-bearing external cup is a tiny little crown that functions similarly to any other.

Strap

Another interesting feature is the rubber strap's construction. It appears to have a slightly recessed, textured inner portion and a notched yet smooth external frame. The strap is actually one solid piece, with the middle section getting some special surface treatment to produce a smooth, almost velvet- or velour-like area that not only makes the strap look more complicated and higher quality, but also makes it look less dull.

We wondered if this style was as resistant and durable as other rubber bands, and Hamilton says that these straps have passed all of the same consistency and reliability checks as their other straps. The strap is secured by a skeletonized tang belt, also made of titanium, which completes the look.

Movement

The Swatch Group's H-10 movement is hidden under the solid titanium caseback, which is engraved with a navy frogman's mask for added bragging rights. The H-10 is a modernized, refined version of the ETA 2824, with the following changes to the ETA base movement, according to Hamilton:

From the barrel to the escapement, the entire kinematic chain has been fine-tuned. The escapement regulator has been disabled, allowing for maximum precision and reliability. The key spring has been strengthened, resulting in an 80-hour typical power reserve. A characteristic of individualization is the mono-block rotor's distinctive skeletonization, which includes a "H" outline and aviation-inspired cut-outs.

hamilton dive watch

Bezel

Nonetheless, the red bezel on the 46-millimeter-wide edition makes it stand out and look the part in its own unique and humorous way – too bad the red won't make it onto the smaller alternative. The Hamilton dive watch Khaki Navy Frogman Red retails for $1,040.00 USD.

Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto Green - Bracelet Ref. H82375161

The stainless steel bracelet has a lot more personality than one would expect for such a low price. It stands out from the crowd thanks to its elevated, trapezoid center ties. Even though it's lovely, a subtle taper would have been great.

The steel bracelet has a Swiss-style fold-over clasp, but the low price prevents a quick-adjust extension clasp from being added. That's the kind of feature you'd expect to see in a higher-priced item.

hamilton dive watch

Dial

The Hamilton dive watch - Khaki Navy Scuba is a method designed specifically for scuba diving. On a leisure dive, it would be ideal as an unobtrusive backup. The olive-green dial has a military-style look to it, with a black segment on the minute-scale bezel to signify the first fifteen minutes. The 24-hour scale on the inner sector of the dial, along with the big hour markers, continues the forces theme.

Movement

For that comforting waterproof seal, the all-brushed crown guards form a tight line against the screw-down crown. Similarly, the H-10 movement is secured by the solid steel caseback.

The 4Hz mechanism is based on the ETA 2824-2 and has an impressive 80-hour power reserve. The €695 price places the Hamilton in direct competition with the various dive watch on the market.

This well-made, well-priced Hamilton dive watch is a real contender for customers' money, coming from a respected Swiss brand with US roots. Date windows at 4:30 are usually a diversion for me, but the offset location is hidden between the 24-hour scale without jeopardizing the proud hour markers.

Strap

The Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto is available on a bracelet or a NATO strap for a slightly lower price. A key piece of purchasing advice is to always go for the bracelet version as a package. The less costly strap device can still be purchased separately.

Explore more collections from Hamilton: Hamilton Vintage Watch for Collectors and Daily Wear

You may like this

Related Articles

Comparison Chart

No watches in comparison chart

Artboard 1
Artboard 1
Maker

Movement

Case

Lug width

Water resistance

Dimensions

Maker
Movement
Case
Lug Width
Water resistance
Dimensions