Pearl Harbor watch

Air Classics, Jul 2001 by Hulett, George

Replica WWII timepiece is also a film collectible.

Hamilton, the main supplier of timepieces, chronometers and other timing devices to the US Armed Forces during wartime, stars in Touchstone Pictures' Pearl Harbor. The company launched a specially packaged new timepiece - the Khaki Field Pearl Harbor watch - in the same style as the original WWII "hack" watch.

Hamilton answered the call of the US government during WWII and stopped commercial production in order to manufacture timepieces and timing devices for the military. The company produced over 1,000,000 pieces for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Of note, was the number of Khaki watches, or hack watches as they were called, produced for the ground troops.

The Khaki became for many men not only an accurate timepiece that withstood the shock, extreme temperatures, wind, rain and mud of battle but a piece of home that reminded them not to give up. Many of the military men kept their Hamilton throughout the war and those that survived still have kept the watch for sentimental value.

The Hamilton Khaki became a symbol for America and the values of stamina, endurance, perseverance and success. Many men who relied on their Hamilton or whose lives depended on the accuracy of the watch said after the war their watch was a friend to them that helped them survive their ordeal and will continue to be a Dart of their lives.

"Hamilton was a natural fit for the movie Pearl Harbor. We proudly supplied the military during WWII and it only makes sense that we would outfit the actors and actresses of the film," stated Holger Dahmen, Hamilton President.

The 38mm sandblasted stainless steel watch is detailed in the same style as the original WWII model and features an ETA Swiss quartz movement, water resistance to 50 meters and a luminescent material on the dial that retains light for up to five hours. The black dial details include an outside minute track and inside military 24-hour markers with a date window at 3 o'clock. The timepiece comes with two canvas straps, black and olive, and the watch is specially packaged in a special military tin rations can and olive green pouch that can be attached and worn on a belt loop. The watch is priced at $195.