Hamilton 6B-9101000-H 0015M, The None Hacking Hamilton RAF Mark XI, Military Issued Watch c.1960's.

These Hamilton’s were issued to the British Royal Air Force from the mid-60’s to the mid-70’s and came in a couple of variants. Although exact production numbers are not known, through thorough research and collation of data, the community at the Military Watch Forum (MWR) estimates that 3,200 pieces were produced in total.

These watches were produced to the same MOD specification as their more expensive and illustrious counterparts, the JLC and IWC Mark XI. The Hamilton 6B is often referred to by many collectors as the “Hamilton Mark XI”.

The Hamilton Watch Company was established in 1892 after Keystone Standard Watch Company was purchased from bankruptcy. During the same year, Aurora Watch Company of Illinois also merged into Keystone. The name of the new company was originally to be "Columbian," but when it was discovered the Waterbury Watch Company had trademarked that name, a meeting of stockholders was called in November 1892 and a new name selected. The company was named after James Hamilton, son of Andrew Hamilton a Scottish born attorney who laid out and founded Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and was the original owner of the Lancaster site on which the factory was situated.

What’s On Offer

Having seen service, these watches are often in poor condition. The current piece is certainly not one in that category. Although not immaculate the case shows signs of use in line with its age but like many watches of a similar nature, carries a wonderful character. The lume markers on the dial and hands have aged a consistent and nice colour, with a small amount of lume missing from the hour hand, otherwise a lovely watch in really nice condition. The Hamilton 6B’s differ to other Mark XI watches similar by having a lumed triangle just below 12 o’clock and circled T under the brand name. Another difference on the present model is the lack of hacking function which was only available on the other Hamilton variant which was only distinguished by the ‘67’ marking on the case back. The Arabic indices retain their legibility and like all state owned watches of the time, the dial bears the broad arrow above 6 o’clock and again typical of military issued watches this too has fixed lug bars.