Stowa or Hamilton

[toon10]

I’m looking to buy a new watch this month but after a bit of advice. I fell in love with watches years ago when I saw a Navitimer. I’ve always wanted one. Fast forward a few years and I bought another iconic chronograph in the Omega Speedmaster Professional which I love. In all honesty, I can’t justify spending more than a couple of thousand, so the Breitling is out and the icon watch is already ticked.

I’m drawn to classic looking chronographs as you can probably tell. I’ve seen the Hamilton Intramatic and I absolutely love the look of it. I’m going to try on the reverse panda and the green dial next weekend to see what I think up close.

Now comes the curve ball. I’ve recently sold a couple of dress watches that I don’t wear and rarely have the occasion to wear these days. I now have no dressier watch in my small collection. I love the Dornbluth & Sohn watches but again, can’t justify the spend so I’m also thinking about getting the Stowa Marine classic. Both the Hamilton and Stowa are very different watches, but I can only have one.

I can see me wearing the Hamilton more often as my style is more casual, but I would wear the Stowa when travelling with work and on nights out, etc. I also don’t think it’s too dressy that I couldn’t wear it casually.

I appreciate some of you will say whichever I end up with I’ll be disappointed I didn’t save up for the more expensive versions I really want but with a family, holidays, and retirement to plan for, I can’t see me ever spending more than 2 or 3k on a watch now.

So, what would you choose?
Have any of you got or had either watch and what are your thoughts?

[BrokenSkunk]

One of the reasons I collect vintage watches is to stretch my budget out. I'd rather own ten interesting vintage watches than one brand new one.

For me (and it sounds like we may have similar hang-ups about spending) I'd feel so guilty about spending £3K on one watch that I'd really struggle to do it. But ten £300 watches, purchased over several years, no guilt, no problem.

I'm not suggesting that you start collecting vintage (I don't want the competition when bidding), but you would be able to get these two watches second hand, and by doing so you may be able to buy both without the associated guilt trip.

A lot of people won't wear a second hand watch. I don't understand. They are generally happy with a second hand car, or house.

[anonymous-user]

Both are fine pieces and VERY different as you say (auto/manual, classic/traditional, German/Swiss American, chrono/three hander small secs).

I'd love a Stowa and have come close but I find them a bit too 'classic' for me. Like their Prodiver and Seatime though.

[CardShark]

Have you checked out a Sinn 903, OP? It's as genuine an alternative to the Navi as you'll find, still above the Hamilton and Stowa £ wise though cheaper than the Breitling.

https://www.watchgecko.com/blogs/magazine/why-the-...

The Stowa you've shown there is the Marine Original rather than the Classic. The MO has a sub dial for the seconds hand whereas the Classic has a centre second hand, the MO also uses a handwind Unitas movement. I've the MO, it's not worn too often compared with other watches I have though I can't see myself ever being without it - as a Dornblüth & Sohn alternative it's a beaut.






Edit - bl00dy dial fingerprints...

[Mr.Grooler]

I’ve got a Stowa Marine classic, which I wear to work most days. Mine has a centre second hand and date window.

I ordered it from Stowa with the “silver” face (still white) which looks lovely along with the blued hands, and a manual wind movement rather than auto which makes the watch very slightly thinner too.

Photo from the Stowa website

[andy tims]

Stowa is nearest to a Dornbleuth at lower cost.

I had a Marine Original which was very nice, although being "all dial" it wore quite large.

I think the Marine Classic is a good option.

[toon10]

Thanks for all the comments. I stand corrected on the Stowa model shown which is the MO version not the classic. It's the one that I like the look of most. I am aware of the Sinn 903 although finding one is a little trickier and I've not seen one on budget. I'll know more about the Hamilton at the weekend as I'm going to take a look and see how I feel.