We typically associate Hamilton with cool movie-themed watches or military-inspired aviation designs, but the new Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman is neither, opting for an ultra-robust, marine-time ready divers watch with a resolutely contemporary 46mm attire. The collection features four new references, each offering a 300m water resistant rating, an 80-hour automatic winding movement and a redesigned crown protector.
The history of the Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman can be traced back to 1943 when the inaugural US Navy underwater demolition team was formed. The unit, known as the Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs), was assigned to clear mines and other obstacles in preparation for land invasions during the Second World War and as such, were provided with one of Hamilton’s very first waterproof wristwatches. The design featured a large screw cap for improved water resistance and a technical, durable profile to survive challenging missions. Then in 1951, what became known as the Hamilton Frogman, was portrayed on screen in the movie The Frogmen which retold the stories of the underwater demolition teams. Then in 2016, the Swiss watch manufacturer revived the design as a set of 46mm divers watches suited more to the wrists of saturation divers than military personnel.
For the latest generation of Khaki Navy Frogman watches, Hamilton has elected a significantly more stealthy and modern styling paired with a select few features seen on the original Frogman. One of the distinctive features of the 1940’s design was the “canteen” screw down crown which was named as such for its unusual canteen-shaped crown protector. Like the lid of a canteen, the crown was secured to the side of a case using a small chain. For the 2016 edition, the crown still showcased a crown guard but one significantly more prominent and utilitarian than its predecessor engraved with the word “LOCK” on it. Now we have the new Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Auto 46mm watch which again reinvents the dramatic crown guard, this time with a robust bridge-shaped structure to secure it to both ends of the case.
The cases of the new Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman watches also elect a noteworthy profile with diameters of 46mm and a height of 13.58mm. The case comes in a choice of stainless steel or black PVD coated steel, our favourite being the latter, both offering brushed surfaces, screw down case backs and water resistant ratings of 300 metres. Above, the unidirectional rotating bezel also debuts a new shape with fine ratcheting around the circumference and a matte silver or black insert adorned with a 60 minute scale in relief.
As for the dials of the new Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Auto 46mm watches, all four pair their stealthy-looking cases with an equally covert dial finished in a matte black grainy finish. For effortlessly legibility, the dials are then adorned with large applied indexes at all positions other than that at 12 o’clock which instead elects a large Arabic numeral with a depression extending down the number 2. The hands are also sizable with the hour indicator displayed with a blunt arrow tip, the minutes hand in orange and the needle-ended seconds hand also tipped in orange. All the hardware on the dial is coated in glow in the dark Superluminova.
Powering the time-only display is the well-known H-10 automatic winding movement, which in other circles is known as Swatch Group’s Powermatic 80 calibre. It is based off the ETA 2824-2 and impresses with an 80 hour power reserve and an anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring for improved reliability and precision. We’re also promised 25 jewels and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.
Completing the Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Auto 46mm watches is a choice of straps. Three of the four designs are completed on tactical rubber straps designed with a subtle wave pattern to evoke the tool’s relationship with the sea. Two of the watches come on black rubber straps while a third comes on a khaki green rubber band. The fourth Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman watch chooses a traditional three-row link stainless steel bracelet.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Auto 46mm watches and shop the collection for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 46mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel or black PVD coated steel
- Bezel: Unidirectional rotating with matte silver or black insert
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Crown: Screw down with protective guard
- Case Back: Closed
- Water Resistance: 300 metres
- Movement: H-10 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Jewels: 25
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Matte black with grained texture, Superluminova hands, numerals and indexes
- Strap: Rubber or stainless steel bracelet
- RRP: Starts from £1,035
