It surprises me how popular Hamilton field watches are. I used to be able to pick them up for a song... like under $75, but not any more. They're roots are in military watches that Hamilton produced in the 1970s and 80s - especially the GG-W-113, which is virtually identical. Now that I think about it, the military watches are crazy-popular as well.
Even the lowly MIL-W-46374B sells for ridiculous prices. With a seven jewel movement, it's really meant to be disposable. The GG-W-113 and the MIL-W-46374D are FAR superior watches and, for ll intents and purposes, the genesis of the Hamilton Khaki line.
Hamilton is well know for co-branding field watches as an additional sales channel. The most common example is with LL Bean. There were several other channels too, like Avirex, Brookstone, and also Orvis. The Hamilton field watch family came in a variety of options including quartz, mechanical, and automatic versions - all with parkerized cases and typically with black dials.
I don't know what genetic marker aligns with "collecting" but the temptation to "find them all" is strong. However, I'm able to dampen the urge mainly because they're pretty much all the same watch, with some slight variation.
I recently had the opportunity to work on a Hamilton Orvis field watch. As received, it shows that it has been well used over the last 40+ years, mainly because of the crystal. The parkerized case typically can take a beating and barely show a blemish.
The case back is marked with the usual markings, including the product number 921980. I have found that there are some case variations even when they're stamped 921980.
For example, here are two 921980 models side by side. The project watch is on the right. Notice the contour of the case backs are different. The lack of fixed spring bars on the Orvis example could just be because they were removed. I don't know if they were or were not originally there. The cases also take differently sized crystals.
Anyway, regardless of the case details, tucked inside the case will be a Hamilton 649 movement, based on an ETA 2750. This caliber is a classic ETA design with 17 jewels that "hacks" or stops the balance when you pull the crown out to set the time. It has a small detent, or button, near the crown that you depress slightly and then can pull the crown and stem out of the movement.
The crown appears to be a replacement and it's either rusted on or held in place with locktite. I was unable to remove it and replacing it will probably require replacing the stem too.
All of the parts are cleaned and readied for reassembly. I installed a new crystal, sized 29.6mm with a silver reflector ring. The hack lever is my least favorite part of this movement. It's the little part that looks like a reversed 7. It's easy to install under the barrel bridge but I always forget to put it in there and then have to take the movement apart again once I realize it's still waiting to be installed.
The ETA 2750 beat rate is 21,600 BPH and noticeably faster than the traditional 18,000 BPH rate that most vintage watches have. It's a vigorous motion that in any other watch would cause you immediate concern.
The movement is ticking away with a good motion... just a little fast. It's so simple to adjust that I'd feel guilty not fine tuning it a bit from here.
Alrighty then... this will certainly do nicely. These movements are tuned to +/- 30 seconds per day so a little variation based on position, etc, can be expected.
The finished watch looks great and runs great. The fun part about these watches is you can customize them with different colored NATO straps. So even though all of the watches look the same, you can break things up a bit with different themed straps.
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