Other than the lack of a British Ministry of Defense broad arrow emblem at 6 o’clock and a “circle T” mark indicating tritium lume at 12 o’clock, this is an exact duplicate of the 6BB chronograph’s dial layout. Unlike previous attempts to revive the “Fab Four,” the dial of the Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph is an almost identical recreation of the ‘70s original. In keeping with the Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph’s rugged military heritage, Hamilton rates the watch for a solid 100 meters of water resistance. Like 2021’s Intra-Matic Chronograph H, this should sit markedly tall on the wrist for a hand-wound chronograph design, measuring in at a substantial 14.35mm-thick. The Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph’s thickness may prove divisive, however.
Timex watch serial number lookup serial numbers#
Hamilton continues the faithful military-issue look through the watch’s caseback, where simple engraved lines of text over a radially brushed background call to mind the original 6BB’s caseback serial numbers (unfortunately Hamilton was unable to provide images of this caseback prior to press time).
The fully brushed case finish helps to reinforce the design’s utilitarian, military-issue pedigree in images, while the polished pushers introduce a subtle highlight while drawing focus towards the flared case side. It’s a unique, muscular look in images, one which sets the Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph apart from other pilot’s chronograph designs at a glance.
Although less pronounced than some other RAF-issued chronographs of the period, the 3 o’clock case side bulges outward noticeably in images to partially protect the crown and the large cylindrical pushers. Of course, the most striking element here is the asymmetrical case profile. The overall form is carried over faithfully from the original, from the tapering unchamfered lugs to the gently sloping smooth bezel. With a nearly identical look to its RAF-issued progenitor, handsomely nuanced details, and an impressively capable modern movement, the new Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph is an attractively appointed revival of one of the brand’s most famous military models.Ī hair larger than its ‘70s forebear at 40mm-wide, the stainless steel case of the Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph should nonetheless offer a suitably compact and vintage feel on the wrist. However, none of these previous “Fab Four” reimaginings have attempted to faithfully recreate the ‘70s original - until now.
Timex watch serial number lookup series#
This status as the last of the RAF mechanical chronographs has kept original examples highly sought after over the years, and Hamilton has used the series as a wellspring of inspiration for new models as well. First issued to the British Royal Air Force in the early ‘70s, the “Fab Four” or 6BB chronographs, as they are officially called, remained in British military service until the early ‘80s before being replaced by quartz chronograph designs from Seiko. Among military watch collectors, the “Fab Four” chronographs from Hamilton, CWC, Precista, and Newmark remain some of the most popular and collectible pilot’s chronograph designs ever made.
0 kommentar(er)
