Takeoff Auto ChronoThis timepiece is the product of Hamilton’s relationship with the Swiss mountain rescue service Air Zermatt. Founded in 1968, Air Zermatt has carried out more than 30,000 air rescue missions in the mountains of Switzerland, including missions on the north face of the Eiger, aka the “wall of death.” Hamilton is Air Zermatt’s official timepiece supplier.
Designed to look at home among the instruments on an aircraft control panel, the Hamilton Takeoff Auto Chrono can be configured for multiple uses. The strap attaches to a piece that looks like a caseback with lugs. The timepiece case attaches to this piece in much the same way a lens attaches to a camera – with a “twist and lock” motion, sometimes called a bayonet system. When not on the wrist, the detached watch can be placed in an included wood display box and used as a table clock.
The Takeoff Auto Chrono is not for shrinking violets. The case measures
46.3 mm in diameter, not including the substantial crown and pushers, which are located at the top of the watch in a so-called “bullhead” configuration. The bi-compax display features a central chronograph seconds hand, small continuous seconds at 6 o’clock, and a 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock. The knurled bi-directional bezel adjusts the inner bezel with a 60-minute scale, allowing the watch to be used as a countdown timer.
Inside the black-
PVD case resides Hamilton’s H-31 automatic chronograph movement, which is a variation on the time-tested
Valjoux 7750. Hamilton modifies the movement to extend the power reserve to 60 hours.
The
Hamilton Takeoff Auto Chrono is a
limited edition of
1,999 pieces, offered at
$3,295.
free pic
