September 6, 2011. As you may know, the Hamilton Watch Company has made some exciting news announcements for 2011. The company is marrying old and new, by re-issuing new versions of classic (now vintage) Hamilton watches of the 1960s and 1970s, most importantly the famous Hamilton Thin O’matic and Hamilton Pan Europ Chrono-Matic. This is very exciting to me, Ron Gordon, as a master watchmaker and avid watch aficionado here in New York.
Why the New Thin O’matic and Europ Chrono-Matic are Exciting
Working on old Hamilton watches gives me a chance to see how great American watch making was. The movements were made out of German silver also known as nickel silver. This was used because of its corrosion resistance and durability. The parts are getting scarce for these watches so I buy old movements for these watches and use them for parts. Now, Hamilton is bringing out new watches that were famous back in the 1960s. Some of the models are the Thin O Matics and the Chrono-Matic. The Chron-O-Matic movement was developed in a joint venture between Heuer and Buren of Hamilton. The Thin-O-Matic was the thinnest watch of its time.
Should you Buy a New Hamilton or a Vintage Hamilton?
Customers often come into my watch shop in midtown for expert watch repair. While at my watch store, they also can view my inventory of both vintage and new luxury watches, including Hamiltons. We strike up many conversations on watches, watch repair techniques, and the passion we have for great watches. Hamilton has been one of the greatest watch companies of all times, and a shining star in the Americas.
Moreover, in recent years, there has been a trend in New York City and throughout the world to return to vintage. Vintage Hamilton watches have been big sellers for me, and I have also done my share of repairing vintage Hamilton watches. I keep an active eye out for Hamiltons and buy them both to fix and resell, but also to be used for parts. Parts for vintage Hamiltons are getting scarcer than ever.
So what’s exciting about this news from Hamilton is that they are building on their past but embracing the future. How so? Well, we have the vintage designs such as the Thin O’matic and Pan Europ Chrono-Matic but now sporting modern parts. First launched in the 1960s, the Thin O’matic was one the flattest automatic watches of its time, with the super-movement developed by Buren. The watch has 3 hands and a snap back closure a traditional closure for dress watches in the 60s. The watch is engraved with the Hamilton heritage logo. The Hamilton Company is capitalizing on the fashion trends for “vintage watches” yet blending that with state-of-the art technology to produce a classic watch, today. The company is also bringing back the Pan Europ Chrono-Matic. The original, of course, debuted in 1971, a big watch with a 42 mm case. In addition, in 1969, a consortium of Buren Hamilton and Heuer developed the automatic chronograph movement Caliber 11, one of the very first automatic winding chronographs.
The new Hamiltons they are making look like the originals but are better because it will have a sapphire crystal (the old ones were plastic), and they are water resistant to 5 bars!
Vintage or New Hamilton Watch – Have Your Cake and eat it Too
So although they say you can’t have your cake and eat it too – now you can. You can purchase a vintage Hamilton but have the latest in modern technology. If you are interested in Hamilton watches, please shoot me an email, give me a call, or better yet stop by my midtown Manhattan watch shop to discuss the best in luxury watches for watch aficionados – those with style, class, and grace in New York City – just like the old and new of the Hamilton watch family.
Regards,
Ron Gordon, Master Watchmaker
About Ron Gordon Watch Repair
Ron Gordon Watch Repair is located at 280 Madison Ave, Ste. 510, New York, NY 10016. We provide watch repair services throughout New York City, Manhattan, Midtown Manhattan, Downtown and the boroughs of New York, NY. Read our Google Places, Insider Pages, and City Search Reviews, online.