Hamilton Seaview AutoChrono automatic diving chronograph

This year the Swiss-American brand will bring to market its new family of Hamilton Seaview dressy diving watches. Available in 42 mm GMT, 44 mm AutoChrono and a huge 46 mm Automatic version, the new range will be one of the most affordable offers in Hamilton’s current model lineup.

As you may already know, an overwhelming number of “affordable” automatic chronographs are powered by a rather cheap ETA 2892 base movement.

Being essentially a simple three hander with a rudimentary calendar, the movement is turned into a chronograph with an attached chronograph module from a third-party manufacturer like, say, Dubois-Depraz or Soprod.

This kind of marriage lets watchmaking brands to obtain a dirt-cheap movement for their watches, but somehow reduces the reliability of the product and makes it more difficult to fix the caliber if something unexpectedly breaks down.

The new Hamilton Seaview AutoChrono, however, sports a more expensive, natural-born chronograph movement ETA 7753, which is essentially the same Valjoux 7750 but with a pair of extra jewels and a different layout for its three chronograph sub-dials.

While the 7750 has its sub-dials located at “12,” “6″ and “9″ o’clock, the 7753 features the “3-6-9″ configuration.

For some unknown reason, the caliber is also more expensive than its older sibling.

From the visual perspective, the watch is simply wonderful, especially, the rose gold-plated model that features black dial with Cotes de Geneve decoration and a sporty black leather strap.

Well, I don’t really like gold-plated models, because they tend to wear much faster than a real gold or a real steel version and because I prefer the real thing over imitation, but it still looks plain gorgeous.

Its rotating bezel doesn’t look like it was simply influenced, not directly ripped-off from a Rolex diver, and the dial layout is quite legible and is not too busy with unnecessary details.

Even the date window at 6 o’clock looks cool, providing the watch with more balanced looks.

There will also be a polished stainless steel version, which will be available with either a rubber strap or an SS bracelet.

Highly recommended.

Photos: Hamilton

Hamilton Seaview AutoChrono automatic chronograph watch specification:

Price range: €1295
Movement: ETA 7753, automatic, 27 jewels, 28,800 vph
Complications: Chronograph, date
Power reserve: 44 hours
Case material: Steel or pink gold plated
Case dimensions: 44 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet or black rubber strap
Crystal: Sapphire