in conversation with Vivian Stauffer, CEO of Hamilton Watches

Could you introduce yourself and explain what is it you currently do?

I’m Vivian Stauffer and I’m the CEO of Hamilton.

What can you tell us about the new release?

With this new release we are complementing the existing Khaki Navy Scuba collection with an attractive variation in green, that reflects the deep sea. The actual 43mm reference, which we are talking about, is made of stainless steel. Engineered for performance, it’s powered by our H-10 automatic movement containing a balance spring made from Nivachron™, which ensures accuracy even when exposed to magnetic fields and temperature changes. Additionally, the hands and hour indexes are treated with Super- LumiNova® to ensure underwater legibility. One of the new high-performance features is the increased water resistance to 30 bar (300m).

In addition to the Khaki Navy Scuba 43mm we also launched a 37mm model which is equipped with a NATO textile strap.

What or who inspired the design of this piece?

Imagine you are under water, swimming/snorkeling in the sea and then look up towards the water’s surface. You will see different shades of green and the sunlight in the center. This was the main colour inspiration for this new piece. Additionally, at Hamilton we also try to improve our performance always, that’s why we decided to increase the water resistance and to use ceramic as material for the bezel. This ensures that the elements like sand, rocks and saltwater don’t damage the watch.

Who would you say the timepiece appeals to the most?

I think this watch can appear to a quite broad audience. On one hand it definitely is made for diving-interested people, but I would definitely not limit it to them. The sporty and fresh look can appeal to anyone who likes the combination of high-performance features and a sport-oriented but timeless appeal. Even though with 43mm they belong to the bigger-sized watches, the Khaki Navy Scuba could be worn by women as well, especially as we see a rising trend for bigger watches worn by ladies.

Which piece or pieces, would you recommend to our audience to start building their Hamilton collection?

This is a difficult question as it does depend a lot on the personal style and interest. Let’s say if someone is very interested in cinema, I would suggest purchasing one of our iconic timepieces featured in a Hollywood movie. For example, the Murph watch from Interstellar or the Ventura from Men in Black. If someone’s decision is based on function, an Intra-Matic Automatic Chronograph would be the right choice, especially because these watches are rich in heritage too. Hamilton was the first brand amongst others to launch an automatic- chronograph movement in 1969. If military-inspired simplicity is appreciated, a timeless 3 hands watch like the Khaki Field mechanical is the perfect choice. And ultimately if someone would like to have a piece which was a milestone or revolution within the world of watchmaking, I would strongly recommend having a look at our PSR.

Can you share what inspires Hamilton as a brand and its pieces?

We focus on 2 main brand pillars, which are aviation and cinema. So, a lot of inspiration comes from those fields. However, our product development team also analyses the latest trends in fields like culture, technology or society that are not fast fashion.

In your opinion, what sets Hamilton aside from other luxury watch brands?

Hamilton is an American brand with a rich heritage. We timed the railroads and the early flights, and supplied one million timepieces to the U.S. Army during World War II. We developed the world’s first electric watch, the Ventura, in 1957, and the world’s first digital watch, the Pulsar, in 1970. We have a long relationship with Hollywood, making us the watchmaker of filmmakers. We have also been the first branded-watch in a video game. Innovative, bold, free-spirited are values that bring us from the past to the present and future while we look at new developments and the innovative watches of tomorrow.

Finally, looking towards the future, what are you most excited about for Hamilton in 2023?

In the first half of the year we have revealed our first movie collaboration with The Wandering Earth II, a Chinese science-fiction thriller for which we created a dedicated prop watch. We then launched a new collection, the Jazzmaster Performer, which has been very successful worldwide. We just revealed our second movie collaboration of 2023, where our iconic Boulton watch is seen on the wrist of Indiana Jones. And we have much more to come later this year, including a new collection launch in the fall. Unfortunately, at this point I can’t tell you more. But as you see I am really excited about the second half of this year, so stay tuned!

Discover the Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba model exclusively at Goldsmiths.