Hamilton "W10" 0552 Royal Navy Issue Wristwatch c.1973

Regular price £0.01

Shipping calculated at checkout.
The Watch
 
.
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.
.
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.
.
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 means that the watch was issued to the Royal Air Force, 0555 Royal Marines and 0552, which this one is, for the Royal Navy.
.
This, 1st year of production, Royal Navy issue Hamilton "W10" is very seldom seen, although the numbers of production do not seem to be known, with members of the MWR Forum estimating a small batch of around 50 pieces delivered in 1973 with only currently 4 known.
.
This guy has a very low Issue number "169" so was the 169th Watch Issued to the Royal Navy, Condition is Superb and a fully serviced Hacking 649 movement. One for the serious Military Collection.

View this Sailor in a video: here

.

 

The Specs


Age: 1973
Reference: "W10" 0552 Royal Navy
Movement: Manual wind with Hacking Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 649.
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Full Service, August 2022.
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 NOS Acrylic crystal fitted during service.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: New 18mm Khaki NATO Style strap with Steel fixtures.
Lug Width: 18mm


Getting Acquainted

.
Bits that stand out:
- Low Issue number.
- Very hard to find in such good order.
Wonderful Dial with highly sought after Yellow Lume.

.
Nitty Gritty:
- Some very very minor scratches to the case.

.
Overall the Hamilton is in Excellent Vintage condition.
The Dial is in Wonderful condition, probably one of the best I've seen, the lume has stayed that highly desirable Yellow colour.
Steel Case is in very good nick, there are a few very minor age related scratches.
Caseback markings are very nice.
Original Crown.
Crystal in excellent condition. NOS fitted during Service.
Hands are in lovely shape.