This Watch

 We have here a very exciting and rare Hamilton 6BB from 1975.  It is estimated that only 2000 6BBs were issued to the RAF between 1973 and 1976.  The front-loading/monocoque, 35mm, brushed stainless steel, tonneau-shaped case is a comfortable wear on the wrist.  The case back is engraved '6BB - 6645-99-523-8290 -7026/75' with the Broad Arrow, and, as with all military watch, has fixed lugs.  Inside is the mechanical manual wind Hamilton caliber 649 with hacking, fully serviced by us and running strongly.

A domed crystal sits above a matte black dial.  The wide minute track has pips that are coated in Tritium and large, Arabic numerals mark the hours.  The elegant, sword hands are also coated in Tritium.  The text is printed precisely with the T in a circle signifying Tritium.  At 6 o’clock the Broad Arrow indicated British Government property.  We've paired the watch on a NATO strap to keep it looking military and NATO strap options are endless.

Extra Points 

The Hamilton Watch Company is a Swiss manufacturer of wristwatches, based in Bienne, Switzerland. Founded in 1892 as an American company, Hamilton Watch Company ended American manufacture in 1969. Hamilton produced W10 watches for the British Military between also in 1973 and 1976, and it is estimated that around W10 pieces 30,000 were produced during these three years. Hamilton took over the contract from Smiths, and were succeeded by CWC. It was, however, during the early 1900s that Hamilton were named the official watch supplier for the American Armed Forces and they produced watches for the USA not only throughout both World Wars, but also for every military operation that the USA have been involved in over the last 100 years. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, Hamilton eventually became integrated into the Swatch Group, the world's largest watch manufacturing and marketing conglomerate.

 

Everyone loves the W10 and this is why the 6BB is even better, to most it looks the same but it is far rarer and we seriously love the dials!  For the last few years, military watches have been on the rise and are showing no sign of slowing down!  If you are into military watches now is the time to buy, the great examples like this one are getting more and more difficult to find.