The Hamilton Khaki Navy Pioneer Limited Edition is a tribute to the brand’s 120th year of timekeeping and its link to marine chronometers, of which Hamilton produced several in the 1940s. Each commemorative piece comes in its own Para rubber tree wood box, allowing it to double as either a wristwatch or a table clock. It will be produced in a numbered, limited edition of 1,892 pieces. In addition to hour and minute functions, it has a small seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and is water-resistant to 100 metres.
Authenticity and innovation
Hamilton is linking the past with the future:
The Swiss brand with an American soul is marking its 120th anniversary with innovative watches, celebrations, and expectations of another record year, says CEO Sylvain Dolla.
Hamilton is 120 years old. How is it celebrating?
Sylvain Dolla: Hamilton has always faced the future, challenging itself in innovation, design, and technology, while staying true to its U.S. origins and own values. Authenticity is essential, and we celebrate it this year with a very innovative and sophisticated collection linking the brand’s past and the present.
The celebration will start officially in June with an exhibition at New York’s Grand Central train station. That’s symbolic for Hamilton, known in the early 1900s as the ‘Watch of Railroad Accuracy’.
How was the last year for Hamilton and what do you expect in 2012?
Dolla: Hamilton enjoyed 12 months of double-digit growth! All markets grew strongly, particularly Asia, with Japan, China and Korea as highly-dynamic markets. In 2012, we’ll strengthen our leading position in mechanical watches priced 500-2,000 CHF, and equip all our chronographs with the new exclusive calibres H21 and H31, based on Valjoux calibres, with a 60-hour power reserve. The brand offers ‘real value’ for its price, a big asset in the current market environment. Furthermore, it has a balanced split in turnover among regions around the world, so we’re not dependent just one. I’m sure 2012 will be another strong record year for Hamilton.
What are some Hamilton debuts at BASELWORLD?
Dolla: For its 120th anniversary, Hamilton presents the Khaki Navy Pioneer, an interpretation of its 1940s marine chronometer. It doubles as a watch and table clock. Like its ancestor, it has a hand-wound calibre, with an exclusive decoration and engraving for the anniversary. It’s limited to 1,892 pieces, for Hamilton’s founding year.
Propelling Hamilton’s aviation spirit higher is the new pilot watch Khaki X-Patrol. This sophisticated chronograph has the new H21 calibre, and its turning bezel converts distances in miles (nautical or statute) and kilometres, altitudes in feet or metres, volumes in gallons and litres, and weights in pounds and kilograms.
First Published in Men's Passion Issue #40 May 2012
