Hamilton 6bb brought back to life!
Back in January I bought a battered Hamilton
6bb/5238290 1974.
The stem had snapped, the plexiglass cracked like a spider web and case was covered in dings. It’s exactly the same watch as the Hamilton W10 of the same era, 6bb indicating RAF and W10 army issue. The 6bb is rarer with around 2000 made according to some things I’ve read.
I took it to be fixed a couple of months ago, and just got it back today. New plexiglass,new stem ,case has been refurbished and a service. It took a bit of extra time due to ordering a few parts like the stem which is in two parts, the outer part attached to the crown snaps in to a inner hollow stem.
What a great feeling getting it back today, looking sharp, and clean and with real tropicalised patina on the hands and indices. I know I didn’t do any of the work but it’s really satisfying being part of bringing things back to life. All in it cost me a third of the price of a new Hamilton pilot pioneer including the strap. Vintage restoration doesn’t have to be expensive.
Hope you Cruchers have had a good day and hope you all like the pictures!
Cheers All
Looking forward to finding out more about watches
Nicely done. Happy for you.
Looks great
I nearly bought a similar one, but opted for the modern alternative instead (chiefly because I liked the 80 hour power reserve and the springbars).
The W10 is an absolute classic and great fun to wear. Enjoy!
I nearly bought a similar one, but opted for the modern alternative instead (chiefly because I liked the 80 hour power reserve and the springbars).
The W10 is an absolute classic and great fun to wear. Enjoy!
Lovely watch! Hamilton have been very true to the original. Is it still 36mm?
Lovely watch! Hamilton have been very true to the original. Is it still 36mm?
Yes, 36mm. They also do a blue and a white dial variant, too.
https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-us/h76419931-khaki-pilot.html
The Pilot Pioneer was my first Swiss watch. Before then I was buying Seiko, Vostok and Orient.
Really nice!
I nearly bought a similar one, but opted for the modern alternative instead (chiefly because I liked the 80 hour power reserve and the springbars).
The W10 is an absolute classic and great fun to wear. Enjoy!
I got the Pioneer Pilot as well, but I just got it a day ago. I like it much more than my Khaki Field Mechanical, except for the mineral glass crystal.
I got the Pioneer Pilot as well, but I just got it a day ago. I like it much more than my Khaki Field Mechanical, except for the mineral glass crystal.
Enjoy!
Yes, 36mm. They also do a blue and a white dial variant, too.
https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-us/h76419931-khaki-pilot.html
The Pilot Pioneer was my first Swiss watch. Before then I was buying Seiko, Vostok and Orient.
Really like the variations. The pilot pioneer and the murph are my favourite Hamilton’s. Seiko was my way in to watches too
Gorgeous! 😍
Anytime an old soldier is saved, whether you do the work yourself or pay for a watchmaker to do the work, it is a thing to celebrate and be proud of. Well done and nice watch!
Anytime an old soldier is saved, whether you do the work yourself or pay for a watchmaker to do the work, it is a thing to celebrate and be proud of. Well done and nice watch!
Thank you. It’s only this year that I’ve really started to gain the confidence to get watches restored. Finding a straight forward and sensibly priced watch maker has made all the difference. Got a couple of Record (Dirty Dozens) coming back from service in the next couple of weeks too!