Opinions on Hamilton, or alternatives?
Discussion
Hi don't venture into this part of the forum often! I bought my first nice watch for my 30th a TAG Aquaracer. It's kept for best only as I'm kind of afraid to say I find it hard to not wear my Apple Watch these days.
Anyway, 40th coming up this year, so thought it'd be nice to treat myself to another watch. I have been looking at Calibre 5... but thought I'd see what other makes are out there that I've not thought of.
Came across these 'American Classic' and am a big fan:


Having spoke to people about these, it's been mentioned they're very chunky and maybe seem a bit cheaper/not as nice as my TAG. Any experiences?
Happy to hear of alternatives, max £2,500 and 41mm in size. Not really looking for silver metal/metal as that's too similar to my other watch. I have looked second hand on Watch Finder and sure there's some nice options, but nothing that really stands out, I would prefer new if possible.
Thanks!
Anyway, 40th coming up this year, so thought it'd be nice to treat myself to another watch. I have been looking at Calibre 5... but thought I'd see what other makes are out there that I've not thought of.
Came across these 'American Classic' and am a big fan:


Having spoke to people about these, it's been mentioned they're very chunky and maybe seem a bit cheaper/not as nice as my TAG. Any experiences?
Happy to hear of alternatives, max £2,500 and 41mm in size. Not really looking for silver metal/metal as that's too similar to my other watch. I have looked second hand on Watch Finder and sure there's some nice options, but nothing that really stands out, I would prefer new if possible.
Thanks!
Hamilton are a pretty respected mid tier brand under the Swatch group umbrella, you could do worse for your cash! Never pay the full RRP for them, from a brief google you can get the American Classic chronographs for MUCH cheaper than on their website.
Automatic chronographs at this point in the market are generally quite thick so end up looking tall on the wrist. RE: quality in-hand, it's quite subjective; people don't rate Hamilton poorly and I found them pleasant to handle in the jeweller. Your best bet would be to wear your Tag along to a jewellers with one of these in stock and compare it to the Hamilton.
Regarding alternatives, I'm assuming you want a chronograph- for an alternative along similar mid-century design lines I'd suggest the Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope. It's also an automatic chronograph and it uses a movement derived from the same Valjoux family as the Hamilton.
Automatic chronographs at this point in the market are generally quite thick so end up looking tall on the wrist. RE: quality in-hand, it's quite subjective; people don't rate Hamilton poorly and I found them pleasant to handle in the jeweller. Your best bet would be to wear your Tag along to a jewellers with one of these in stock and compare it to the Hamilton.
Regarding alternatives, I'm assuming you want a chronograph- for an alternative along similar mid-century design lines I'd suggest the Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope. It's also an automatic chronograph and it uses a movement derived from the same Valjoux family as the Hamilton.
Tissot Heritage 1973 look great and about similar price. Longines also have a few chronographs within budget which look great.
Bell and Ross have a round Chronograph watch which has caught my eye online a few times, but never felt one up in person. They should be had for budget / around budget if on sale.
My biggest issue with the Tissot and the Longines when I tried them on was that they were a bit thick for me. I do have quite small wrists though, so most things look like a massive plate on my wrist. Think the only chrono which hasn't looked too large for my wrist which I've tried were the manual Omega Speedmasters.
RE the apple watch, just wear both!!! I wear my Google smart watch on my right hand and my proper watches on my left. If anyone asks why I wear both I just straight up tell them that my smart watch is mainly to track my steps, sleep and heart rate and the other one is my actual watch which is like jewellery. I wear it for me, not for them.
Bell and Ross have a round Chronograph watch which has caught my eye online a few times, but never felt one up in person. They should be had for budget / around budget if on sale.
My biggest issue with the Tissot and the Longines when I tried them on was that they were a bit thick for me. I do have quite small wrists though, so most things look like a massive plate on my wrist. Think the only chrono which hasn't looked too large for my wrist which I've tried were the manual Omega Speedmasters.
RE the apple watch, just wear both!!! I wear my Google smart watch on my right hand and my proper watches on my left. If anyone asks why I wear both I just straight up tell them that my smart watch is mainly to track my steps, sleep and heart rate and the other one is my actual watch which is like jewellery. I wear it for me, not for them.

Gastons_Revenge said:
Regarding alternatives, I'm assuming you want a chronograph- for an alternative along similar mid-century design lines I'd suggest the Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope. It's also an automatic chronograph and it uses a movement derived from the same Valjoux family as the Hamilton.
I have a Junghans and whilst it's a pretty thing, it has an almost plastic like face and the auto winding stuff is very clunky on the wrist, you can really feel it working.You can pick up one of the above for half your budget lichtly used. Hamiltons dolt hold their values well and it's an epesive watch for the brand when new.
This might be a an alternative for your budget?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166507004696?epid=16052...
Or one of these?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395032664605?epid=26058...
This might be a an alternative for your budget?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166507004696?epid=16052...
Or one of these?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395032664605?epid=26058...
Edited by SWoll on Monday 8th January 16:14
There's nothing wrong woth the Hamilton if it floats your boat. But there are many more interesting & better chronos available for less than £2500 in the used and vintage market. Here's a quick sampler...

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/breitling/top-time-pand...

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/zenith/el-primero--id31...

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/speedmaster-mark-...

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/longines/heritage-diver...

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/breitling/top-time-pand...

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/zenith/el-primero--id31...

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/speedmaster-mark-...

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/longines/heritage-diver...
Personally I really like Hamilton as a brand, I think they do really nice watches for great prices. I really wanted an Intramatic 1968 when they were on offer. I have a Kahki King Scuba and a Jazzmaster Open Heart.
As before, they don't really hold their value well and maybe don't have the same prestige as TAG or others, but you get really nice watches for a decent budget.
As before, they don't really hold their value well and maybe don't have the same prestige as TAG or others, but you get really nice watches for a decent budget.
Jayho said:
Tissot Heritage 1973 look great and about similar price. Longines also have a few chronographs within budget which look great.
Bell and Ross have a round Chronograph watch which has caught my eye online a few times, but never felt one up in person. They should be had for budget / around budget if on sale.
My biggest issue with the Tissot and the Longines when I tried them on was that they were a bit thick for me. I do have quite small wrists though, so most things look like a massive plate on my wrist. Think the only chrono which hasn't looked too large for my wrist which I've tried were the manual Omega Speedmasters.
RE the apple watch, just wear both!!! I wear my Google smart watch on my right hand and my proper watches on my left. If anyone asks why I wear both I just straight up tell them that my smart watch is mainly to track my steps, sleep and heart rate and the other one is my actual watch which is like jewellery. I wear it for me, not for them.
You know I really like Bell & Ross, and Speedmasters obviously, and someone pointed me to a Tudor chrono which looks nice too... unfortunately they're all sitting around the £3,500 mark which is a little rich for me.Bell and Ross have a round Chronograph watch which has caught my eye online a few times, but never felt one up in person. They should be had for budget / around budget if on sale.
My biggest issue with the Tissot and the Longines when I tried them on was that they were a bit thick for me. I do have quite small wrists though, so most things look like a massive plate on my wrist. Think the only chrono which hasn't looked too large for my wrist which I've tried were the manual Omega Speedmasters.
RE the apple watch, just wear both!!! I wear my Google smart watch on my right hand and my proper watches on my left. If anyone asks why I wear both I just straight up tell them that my smart watch is mainly to track my steps, sleep and heart rate and the other one is my actual watch which is like jewellery. I wear it for me, not for them.

As per your last point, I'd love a 'normal' watch with just one bit of tech inside to send my step counts to iPhone, that'd be so perfect! I'm definitely not interested in the TAG Connected.
Thanks for all suggestions above, I've got 6 months until buying but hey research is always fun isn't it.
I've come across a few more possibilities. Didn't know about this brand before but one caught my eye and I've got to say Farer make some gorgeous looking watches, this one I really like:

This Oris looks great too, though I'd probably try and pair with a black strap:

It seems I like green!
CrippsCorner said:
You know I really like Bell & Ross, and Speedmasters obviously, and someone pointed me to a Tudor chrono which looks nice too... unfortunately they're all sitting around the £3,500 mark which is a little rich for me.
As per your last point, I'd love a 'normal' watch with just one bit of tech inside to send my step counts to iPhone, that'd be so perfect! I'm definitely not interested in the TAG Connected.
Thanks for all suggestions above, I've got 6 months until buying but hey research is always fun isn't it.
I've come across a few more possibilities. Didn't know about this brand before but one caught my eye and I've got to say Farer make some gorgeous looking watches, this one I really like:

This Oris looks great too, though I'd probably try and pair with a black strap:

It seems I like green!
Bell and Ross on sale here. Still over budget, but only by £500. https://amjwatches.co.uk/product/bell-ross-brv2-94...As per your last point, I'd love a 'normal' watch with just one bit of tech inside to send my step counts to iPhone, that'd be so perfect! I'm definitely not interested in the TAG Connected.
Thanks for all suggestions above, I've got 6 months until buying but hey research is always fun isn't it.
I've come across a few more possibilities. Didn't know about this brand before but one caught my eye and I've got to say Farer make some gorgeous looking watches, this one I really like:

This Oris looks great too, though I'd probably try and pair with a black strap:

It seems I like green!
Mont Blanc are also found on sale for about the budget - https://www.ernestjones.co.uk/montblanc-1858-men%E...
But also just seen a Hamilton for well under budget - https://www.ernestjones.co.uk/hamilton-american-cl...
Can buy that Hamilton with £1k change for another watch.
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