What is your favourite watch brand and why?
Thought this would be a good way to see what people like about certain brands.
For me, my favourite brand is Hamilton. Founded in 1892, Hamilton has a rich history regarding military heritage and the field watch. It also has been a watch brand that has seen the big screen and video games over 500 times, with some of my favourites being Interstellar & Farcry 6!
What I love about Hamilton is that they seem to produce some incredible tool watches (which are my favourite type of watch) that can just about go anywhere or do anything.
My first non quartz watch was a Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical, it was also my first watch that I considered to be a big purchase back then so my decision was backed with a mountain of research beforehand. I loved wearing that watch everyday and I still love it when I put it on every now and then to this day. I love the feel of its beadblasted case and the wind of its manual H50 movement.
After the Mechanical, I acquired the Khaki Field Automatic and it’s been probably my most ever worn watch. I love this thing to the point I think if I had to lose my entire watch collection and only keep one watch, it’d most likely be this. Its been through thick and thin, travelled with me to different countries and it’s got the scratches to prove it! I don’t baby this piece, infact I think its the only watch I LOVE getting scratches on as it just brings out its tooly vibes even more!
My Hamilton journey won’t end here, as I plan on this year picking up a Khaki Expedition which I have wanted since it’s release last year (I like it that bad I ended up drawing it! 😂)
So now what’s everyone else’s favourite watch brand? I’d love to hear what others have to say!!
22yr old watch collector based in the UK. Used to be a watchmaker/repairer and jeweller for 4 years. Sucker for field watches lol!
I’d say Hamilton is one of mine, too. For many of the reasons you already listed. 👌🏼
I’d say Hamilton is one of mine, too. For many of the reasons you already listed. 👌🏼
Glad to see another Hamilton fan!! Love how you’ve popped your KFA on a nato strap! I’ll have to give it a try one day.
Glad to see another Hamilton fan!! Love how you’ve popped your KFA on a nato strap! I’ll have to give it a try one day.
One of my first watches was a Hamilton Field. It’s long since gone and unfortunately I’m not sure what happened to it.
You should try the nato. The KFA goes well with almost everything, though. I love it on suede, too.
OMEGA
History innovation accuracy precision designs
'nuff said 😉👍🏻
Favourite is a hard thing to nail down. Christopher Ward was my go to for the last 4 or 5 years, however to switch things up I recently sold most my CW's and am trying new brands. Lorier definitely has my admiration now, however Timex will always hold a special spot being the brand that got me into watches.
Would this be fore watches we own? Or watches we just like/admire? Brands that I admire, but can't afford would be:
Breguet
Chopard
If it's for brands we own, it would be:
Grand Seiko
Tag Heuer
Casio
Breitling because they remind me of my older brother who departed too soon and my younger years when I was still solving a few issues in my life.
Christopher Ward. I just love what their doing. My favourite watch type are dive watches and CW make some of the best around, and then there’s their field watches, the Bel-Canto, and their moonphases I think they’re just brilliant.
Grand Seiko for me.
But Hamilton is my favourite US watch manufacturer. I have the same watch as you and the bracelet is amazing.
But this (pics below) is my favourite Hamilton. It’s a WWII US Navy timekeeper (https://pubs.nawcc.org/images/stories/hamilton_errata/material_service_military_catalogs/Master%20Navigation%20Watch%20AN5740%20OCR%20150.pdf).
They aren’t particularly rare but mine is in good condition and still keeps great time. It’s also in a solid silver case. Many were in nickel alloy cases as steel was precious to the war effort. Comparatively few were in silver but one school of thought is that silver fared better against salt water corrosion - who knows?
But certainly underscores your heritage point!
Hamilton is my favorite as well! My father gave me a Hamilton pocket watch from 1902 when I graduated from college, and from that moment on my goal has been to one day own a broad range of Hamilton wrist watches. I am currently in the research phase you mentioned and am planning to pick up the Khaki Field Mechanical in a few months! Cannot wait to experience it in person after hearing so many stellar reviews.
Longines 'cause re-issues are my thing but I've also got a soft spot for Certina due to how good their re-issues are for the money.
I tend to gravitate towards tool watches too so I like Tudor - 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵, as soon as Longines take a break from releasing best-in-class watches I might even pick one or two up!
I would have to answer this question one way. If I had to pick a brand that I would be happy wearing in every circumstance, which would it be?
Omega.
I have an Aqua Terra for everyday use. But I also love the deville and constellation lines and I think the other Seamasters are great too (300P and Planet Ocean). I don't love the Speedmaster, but there are certain models I find quite fetching. I would be very happy wearing their watches 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
For me it's probably seiko, so many great watches and such a rich history. Gave mine to my younger brother and I don't regret it one bit but damn do I miss that beautiful little time teller
That is all... 😎
Love Hamilton! It was the first brand I collected.
I collected vintage Hamilton Electrics before I moved on to modern mechanical watches.
Here are a few from that collection...
I would have to say today, my favorite brand is Parmigiani...
I’d recommend them highly especially the 556a really high quality for the price
I have my grandfathers seiko its as close as I will get to a 222😂
I’d say it looks close enough to me 😂😂
Oris 🇨🇭 For the price you get high quality swiss made watches and I am part of a local oris social club so maybe I am biased 😅
One of my grail watches is the Oris Pro Pilot X Calibre 400!!
Hamilton holds a special place in my heart because of where I'm from (Lancaster, PA). My uncle worked at Hamilton for a brief period in the early 1960's and they opened the only Hamilton boutique in Lancaster last year. I plan on buying each of my boys a Hamilton of their choice when they graduate high school so they'll always have a Lancaster connection with them wherever they may go.
That said, I have such a hard time sticking with one brand and saying they are my favorite. There are currently 5 brands that I have or want to own multiple watches from...
Hamilton (Khaki Aviation, Bolton, Murph, KFA, Jazzmaster)
Farer (Beagle, Milan, Resolute, Endeavor, Eddington)
Tudor (1926, BB58)
Omega (Speedmaster, SMP)
Seiko (SSK023, SNZG17, SRP781K1).
Over time there may be others, but these are the main ones.
I love the idea of buying each of your boys a Hamilton watch! So sentimental ❤️
I’d recommend them highly especially the 556a really high quality for the price
I have my grandfathers seiko its as close as I will get to a 222😂
That sinn though!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Here's the white dial C63
That looks stunning!!! I plan on getting mine in Hunter Green
I like brands that have a very distinct identity, a coherent and immediately identifiable design language.
Cartier is a great example. They are themselves and no one else. You'd never confuse any other brand for them and vice versa. They design for elegance, and it seems into all of their work.
Moser is another, with a distinct aesthetic, and one that resonates with me.
I have 2. Tag Heuer & Omega
In recent years the watch brand that has bought me the most pleasure has been San Martin. I no longer own any but watches from San Martin were my most worn in 2023. Current favourite is Christopher Ward. But my all time favourite would have to be Rolex as I've been wearing one for nearly 40 years.
I like brands that have a very distinct identity, a coherent and immediately identifiable design language.
Cartier is a great example. They are themselves and no one else. You'd never confuse any other brand for them and vice versa. They design for elegance, and it seems into all of their work.
Moser is another, with a distinct aesthetic, and one that resonates with me.
My absolute grail watch is a Cartier santos medium with a white dial as it truly is like nothing else
I always say that if I could only have watches from one brand, it would be Hamilton. I find they have such a broad collection of watches that look great and the quality to match. (Luckily I am not stuck with one brand😁)
Citizen, they have so much capability and capacity yet understated.
Omega, Longines, Seiko, Grand Seiko, Citize….
I do really like the whole Seiko universe, but Hamilton comes close man!
For me, it's Casio/Ediface. I'm not into the G-Shocks but I love their analog watches. They have such a great design aesthetic and finishing for such low prices. If Seikos cost what they did a few years back, I'd probably feel similarly about them.