A Superb British Military Issued Hamilton 6B in Original Condition with Original Lume and Original Military Engravings Including the Military Pheon, c.1961
Hamilton military watches have a storied history dating back to the early 20th century. Founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1892, Hamilton initially made a name for itself with pocket watches known for their precision. During World War I, the company transitioned to wristwatches, supplying timepieces to U.S. troops.
The brand's reputation for reliability was solidified during World War II when Hamilton produced over one million watches for the Allied forces. These timepieces were renowned for their robustness and accuracy under harsh conditions. The iconic "Hacked" watch allowed soldiers to synchronize their movements precisely by stopping the second hand.
Post-war, Hamilton continued innovating with models like the Khaki Field and Navy Frogman series, which maintained high standards of durability and functionality. Even today, Hamilton military watches are celebrated for their blend of historical significance and modern craftsmanship, appealing to both watch enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
What's on Offer
In the mid-1960s Hamilton began to supply the British military with watches which included the Hamilton 6B H which were issued to RAF aircrew. The Hamilton 6Bs were issued to the British Royal Air Force from the mid-1960s through to the mid 1970s, and various iterations were produced. The 6B-9101000 is a favourite among collectors as it boasts the military pheon denoting the watch as property of the MoD, and also the circled ‘T’ which means the luminous material on the dial is tritium. Production numbers of this version of the watch have been estimated at only around 3000, if this is true then this watch is rather rare!
This watch is in great condition boasting a rich black dial with bold Arabic numerals which are coated in Tritium lume to allow visibility in low light - the lume has aged to a beautiful pale butter colour as has the lume on the original sword hands. The dial has taken on a little even spattering of patina, a joy to those that appreciate the joy of the natural ageing process of watches. Encapsulated underneath shatterproof Plexiglas and encased in stainless steel, the watch is running well and keeping good time. You will also note to the case back the watch displays original military engravings including the military pheon once again. A great watch, very collectable and a fantastic addition to any collection. Don't sleep on this one!