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Thread: GG-W-113

  1. #1
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    GG-W-113

    I have been thinking about getting myself a GG-W-113 to replace my Hamilton Khaki mechanical. I got the Hamilton because it was an inexpensive way of getting a military styled watch with ETA and am therefore wondering what the view is on the GG-W-113?

    I know it is ~4mm smaller case than my Hamilton and I like the look of the Benrus GGW as it seems to have better dial printing. I also love the lume yellowing on the vintage dial. Looking on the bay, they are mainly for sale in the US, anyone know of a UK dealer who specialises in this type of watch?

    Pic of my current Hamilton below.


  2. #2

    GG-W-113

    Personally, I would not replace your Khaki with a GG-W-113. Buy it as an addition if you want to. I've owned a number of US military Hamiltons and Benrus'. I've moved them on. I concluded that they are pretty flimsy, short life, almost disposable watches. I think it can also be a bit hit and miss getting a smooth running reliable one.

    If you are interested in a military watch of the 60s to 90s era, push to an RAF Hamilton 6B or Smith W10, although prices of these have gone nuts. Otherwise a CWC or perhaps steel cased ADANAC or Marathon Navigator.

    I have an early 90s Khaki, RAF 6B and USN WW2 Hamilton - they are keepers. The several 60s - 80s US military Hamiltons were not.


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    Last edited by BillyCasper; 30th May 2016 at 18:22.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillyCasper View Post
    Personally, I would not replace your Khaki with a GG-W-113. Buy it as an edition if you want to. I've owned a number of US military Hamiltons and Benrus'. I've moved them on. I concluded that they are pretty flimsy, short life, almost disposable watches. I think it can also be a bit hit and miss getting a smooth running reliable one.

    If you are interested in a military watch of the 60s to 90s era, push to an RAF Hamilton 6B or Smith W10, although prices of these have gone nuts. Otherwise a CWC or perhaps steel cased ADANAC or Marathon Navigator.

    I have an early 90s Khaki, RAF 6B and USN WW2 Hamilton - they are keepers. The several 60s - 80s US military Hamiltons were not.


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    That's good feedback, thanks. Whatever I get I will wear, so disposable is not a desirable feature :)

    Will have a look at the 6B & W10's

  4. #4
    With respect, I will disagree with Mr. Casper but only in part. I own several of these 33 mm Hamiltons, both military-issued watches and civilian equivalents. I find them relatively robust, nicely designed and proportioned, and very practical/useful. Their single biggest shortfall in my opinion is the smaller size, but this works fine for smaller wrists and you're aware of this anyway.

    Definitely their strongest suit is their price. Watches in excellent condition go for around $300. And keep in mind that this is getting you an ETA 2750, which I think most folks would agree is a robust and accurate movement.

    If you do get a GG-W-113, try to find one of the later ones from '87 or '88. They were printed with a finer font and look much nicer than the thicker font examples, which are much more numerous. You should definitely avoid the almost identical-looking 46374B, which is very common but used a far inferior non-hacking movement. However, the 46374D was up-spec'ed and also uses the ETA 2750, so if you like the little radiation doohickey's on the dial this would make a nice choice versus the sterile-dialed GG-W-113.

    Where I will agree is in the suggestion not to replace your existing Hamilton with one of these. The H694190 (your watch) is a classic all by itself. I've owned three or four. They are perfectly designed and proportioned, but I do fear that Hamilton is letting quality slip on these. One of them I got brand new and within a year the mainspring had broken. With perfectly replicated fakes floating around out there that Hamilton appears unwilling/unable to do anything about, I won't be buying another.

    Here are some of my 33 mm Hamiltons:





    Here are the thick font and thin font GG-W-113's for your reference:




    Hope this helps,

    Myron

  5. #5
    Yes, I might have come over as harsh. I definitely wouldn't replace the Khaki.

    I've liked the design of the US military Hamilton enough that over time I must have owned around 5. It's more that when the collection has expanded too far, they have been the ones to be culled. Nice, but not as nice as a 6B or Smiths, but that is reflected in the price. I love my Khaki. It's 25 years or so old and I bought it in a store in PA thinking it was a locally made watch. It looks more like the 6B. Today's Khakis look more look the US mil. watches to my eyes.


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  6. #6
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    Thank you to you both for your replies and points all well made.

    I will hold onto my Khaki (as I did spend some time hunting down this one with its black dial as opposed to the green dial version) and see if a decent late 80's GGW presents itself (am I right in thinking this age will have a removable case back, or was that only if a Hamilton?)

    If I am honest, I do prefer the fatter print and yellowing on the earlier watches (you can lead a horse to water :) ) but my biggest worry would be getting a fake (assuming the GGW fakes are what Myron was referring to)

    Having had a look at the Smiths W10 following Billy's 1st post, this is a potential alternative. Time to re-assess, take stock and think about next steps...

    Thanks again to Myron & Billy

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by BillyCasper View Post
    Yes, I might have come over as harsh. I definitely wouldn't replace the Khaki.

    I've liked the design of the US military Hamilton enough that over time I must have owned around 5. It's more that when the collection has expanded too far, they have been the ones to be culled. Nice, but not as nice as a 6B or Smiths, but that is reflected in the price. I love my Khaki. It's 25 years or so old and I bought it in a store in PA thinking it was a locally made watch. It looks more like the 6B. Today's Khakis look more look the US mil. watches to my eyes.
    Totally agree! A 6B or Smiths is a couple of steps up for sure. Both more interesting and higher quality.

    OP, another interesting candidate for you, although rare, would be a Hamilton FAPD 5101. There's one on eBay right now, but the price is crazy.

    Good luck, whatever direction you go!

    Best,

    Myron

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by andyd30 View Post
    If I am honest, I do prefer the fatter print and yellowing on the earlier watches (you can lead a horse to water :) ) but my biggest worry would be getting a fake (assuming the GGW fakes are what Myron was referring to)

    Having had a look at the Smiths W10 following Billy's 1st post, this is a potential alternative. Time to re-assess, take stock and think about next steps...

    Thanks again to Myron & Billy
    Andy,

    I was referring to modern Hamiltons that are faked. Be very cautious when buying these pieces.

    Myron

  9. #9

    GG-W-113

    I found that whilst small proportioned that if you put on a nice bund that they really come up nicely in size

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Myron View Post

    Here are some of my 33 mm Hamiltons:




    Myron
    I also bought an LL Bean variant from the store in Maine, in fact I wish that I still had it.


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  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by BillyCasper View Post
    I also bought an LL Bean variant from the store in Maine, in fact I wish that I still had it.


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    Cheers, BillyCasper. I'd love to have one that I bought right from the store in Freeport. These were my dream watch in high school, but I couldn't afford the 50 bucks or whatever they cost back in the day. Of the LL Bean variants, I have managed to collect the 9219 (by far the most common), the 9415 (quite rare), the blue anchor-dialed 9219 (hens' teeth rare), and the 9219 quartz movement watch.

    Kind regards,

    Myron

  12. #12
    The LL Bean Hamilton that I bought in Maine and Hamilton Khaki bought in Pennsylvania started off my interest in and collection of military watches.


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  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Myron View Post
    Andy,

    I was referring to modern Hamiltons that are faked. Be very cautious when buying these pieces.

    Myron
    Thanks Myron. As a slight aside, I am off to the US in July, going to keep my Hamilton and with a bit of luck I will find a GG-W-113 whilst there...

  14. #14
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    To bump this old thread, I recently sold the Hamilton Khaki to one of my mates (it was just that little bit too big and had sat unloved in my watch box for a few months) and have today bought a Hamilton GG-W-113, this may finish up being my daily wear to save my Smiths W10 (which I also bought as a result of this thread ).

    Pics of the GG-W-113 will follow once received!

  15. #15
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    Further to my above post, to say it has taken me a while to upload pics would be an understatement!

    Upon receipt I had to send the watch for work, which I have been waiting to complete and it is finally back today! So finally, on to the pics....












  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by andyd30 View Post
    Further to my above post, to say it has taken me a while to upload pics would be an understatement!

    Upon receipt I had to send the watch for work, which I have been waiting to complete and it is finally back today! So finally, on to the pics....











    Lovely watch and strap.

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  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by andyd30 View Post
    Further to my above post, to say it has taken me a while to upload pics would be an understatement!

    Upon receipt I had to send the watch for work, which I have been waiting to complete and it is finally back today! So finally, on to the pics....
    Andy, that looks like a real beauty! I think they are amazing watches... it really reminds me of my first watch (a Sekonda) that I must have had whenI was 5-ish. So I really hunted for one and picked a great example from the States. In great working order until my cat knocked it off a high ledge onto a hard floor (I should have been more careful where I left it, I guess!)

    It still works, but inconsistent.

    I have been wanting to send it away to get it looked at – could I pick your brain to where you got yours serviced?

    Oh... a couple of shots of mine. Looks great on a perlon.










  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by OliverCD View Post
    Andy, that looks like a real beauty! I think they are amazing watches... it really reminds me of my first watch (a Sekonda) that I must have had whenI was 5-ish. So I really hunted for one and picked a great example from the States. In great working order until my cat knocked it off a high ledge onto a hard floor (I should have been more careful where I left it, I guess!)

    It still works, but inconsistent.

    I have been wanting to send it away to get it looked at – could I pick your brain to where you got yours serviced?

    Oh... a couple of shots of mine. Looks great on a perlon.
    Oliver, I used a local watchsmith for mine. Not sure if he does any work by post, however will let you have his details via PM.

  19. #19
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    A month or so on and this is still getting worn regularly, quite often in rotation with my Smiths W10...





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    Last edited by andyd30; 21st October 2017 at 10:22.

  20. #20
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    Just seen this post, that’s a cracking watch and strap combo.

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