Ask Our Watch Expert: Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman

Few watch brands have such a wide and varied history as Hamilton. Since its inception in 1892, the company has played a key role in the timekeeping of the American railways, been a supplier to the US military and became a star of the silver screen, including its most famous appearance on the wrist of the King himself, Elvis Presley.

For its latest watch, however, Hamilton has looked to one of the slightly lesser know films they have featured in. The Frogmen was based on a true story of an elite diving team from World War II released in 1951. In the film, the divers are shown wearing the specially engineered Hamilton watch supplied to them for underwater use. The watch went on to be known as ‘the Frogman’ in reference to the film’s title.

Since then the Frogman has become a key part of Hamilton’s collection, combining the rugged military style Hamilton is famous for with the design cues of professional dive watches. The latest iteration of the Frogman builds on that history while also giving it a 21st-century edge to create a thoroughly modern dive watch steeped in tried and tested history.

What’s The Best Feature Of A Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman?

For a military dive watch, toughness and usability underwater are king and the Frogman is a perfect example of this. Straight away you notice how easily readable the handset and dial are, with the minute and second hand emblazoned in red to make them stand out. Surrounding the dial is a wonderfully tactile unidirectional bezel and when combined with the 300 metres of water resistance it becomes obvious this watch is designed to be used in the harshest of diving conditions.

The best feature though has to be the brilliantly designed crown, which takes its cues from the World War II era piece. The original crown had a screw on cap to protect the crown and keep water out. The latest iteration features an integrated locking and protector system on the crown which screws into the side of the case, so that once it is secured it is protected from coming undone if knocked or caught, allowing the user to be confident in the watch underwater.

The new Frogman collection is fitted with Hamilton’s calibre H-10 automatic movement. Exclusive to Hamilton, this calibre comes equipped with a Nivachron balance spring to increase the watches resistance to magnetism. It also features an 80 hour power reserve, so if you take this watch off in Friday and come back to it Monday it will still be ticking away for you, ready for another week.

What Is The Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Suitable For?

The clue here really is in the name, and no doubt this watch would be most at home on the outside of a wetsuit, exploring a coral reef. If you really must use it on dry land though, as with other dive watches, this watch pairs well with a more casual attire, particularly shorts and a t-shirt in the summer months. It is probably best to steer clear of formal suits with this one though, with Hamilton’s Jazzmaster a better choice for those situations.

What Makes A Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman A Must-Have For Watch Enthusiasts?

The Frogman pulls together two sides of Hamilton’s history into one neat package. Hamilton’s brand identity is centred around their military heritage and their silver screen appearances and the Frogman has neatly covered both in its time. The latest version is a continuation of that heritage with a thoroughly modern update to create perhaps the most Hamilton of all the Hamilton watches out there.

What’s The Best Way To Care For Your Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Watch?

With any dive watch it is important to make sure the seals that give it the level of water resistance it needs are looked after. If you do plan on going for a dip, make sure that crown is screwed all the way in. Remember to have the seals checked regularly too, as over time they do need to resealed or changed to stay effective. Hamilton recommend having this done every year, especially if you are going to be taking this one into the water.

What’s Your Favourite Part Of The Design Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman?

Whilst this watch does have standout features such as the crown, it is how this watch comes together as a package that gives it such an appeal. The black rubber strap (exclusive to Ernest Jones and H Samuel) ties the whole watch together, really emphasising this watches purpose as an out and out diving tool. The rubber strap is also very comfy on the wrist, whilst also helping to keep the watch wearable on smaller wrists by keeping its overall profile down.

More from our Experts

Missed the other instalments in the series? Make sure to tune into Scott's debrief on TAG Heuer's Carrera 3 Hand and join us for our next Ask the Expert series coming soon, where Scott talks more about luxury watch brands and why he loves them.

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