Incoming...finally! Hamilton Belowzero

I have had some watch funds burning a hole in my pocket recently. I sold a few of my Zodiacs and others in an attempt to upgrade my collection a bit.

I have made an attempt or was watching a number of watches only to see them slip out of my fingers.

A few weeks ago Trevor (Cali Kid) was watching an Ebay Stowa Prodiver unbeknown to me. We both bid on it and and lost to a higher bidder. Great package that got away from both of us. So I was on a Stowa quest. I found a white dialed one on WUS. The seller and I made a deal but I was working Thanksgiving day and was slow to get him the funds. He sold it to the next buyer. As my wife said it was obviously not meant to be. I agreed. Move on.

I started looking more closely at the Dievas Vortex. I made an offer on one at WUS. The seller was in California (I'm in Florida) and countered with an acceptable offer after I went to bed. I PM'ed him the next morning only found out it sold the night before.

Trevor also posted here or at XMT that he was also looking at the Vortex. Specifically at one on Ebay. I told him I would stay away this time. :grin: I saw the listing had ended. Did you get it Trevor? I too looked at Ebay and remarkably saw another listing for a Vortex. This one had the engraved caseback so I figured it was from the original run. I was a little concerned because it appeared it was the sellers first sale on Ebay., I started watching the auction only to see it end early. It appears the seller added a buy it know option after the original list was posted. Someone must have jumped on it. Foiled again!

Well yesterday I was in Orlando finishing up a short vacation with family. The whole Disney thing. On our way out of town I stopped at the Tourneau outlet. Some very good deals to be had there. Some Oris at 50% off but not the TT1 I was hoping for. I started looking at the Hamilton selection and kind of fell in love with a watch. It was a Hamilton Khaki Navy Belowzero 1000m. This one had a silver dial and came with a rubber and stainless bracelet. VERY nice and the manager made me a deal. It was already marked at $815 and he included the sales tax so it was an out the door price.





So I showed the wife. Although she is never happy with a watch near that price. (Whole other story :whistle: ) She says the watch is okay if I like it. But here's is the kicker, she tells me it's too big! She knows I have been trying to downsize some of my recent purchases. She tells me I wont be happy with the size. :raised: We walk around some more and I start to realize she is right. I pass on the watch.

I get home last night and check to see if there is a smaller version of the watch in silver as I saw a black face smaller version. To make a long story a bit shorter, I found a silver version in the 42mm case. It appears these watches may be Japan market only. The little info I found was mostly on Japanese websites. I did find it at Ashford for a great price and pulled the trigger this morning. It should be here this week.

Here are a few pics shamelessly stolen from a Japanese website and one stock photo. I'll get some of my own pics soon.

Wow Hobbit! You were a man on a mission and you did not rest until you landed what you were looking for. Tenacity on your part and I would have to say it was meant to be! Congratulations on the watch and in finding it in the smaller version! It will be sweet at that size! Love the strap it comes on! Great looking watch.

What a GREEAATTT story Hobbit !!! It's funny how some times things come
together for one reason or another like this. Even though you had wanted so many
of those previous watches. It really does seem like you were meant to get this
42mm Hamilton Below Zero ! ..What A GORGEOUS WATCH ! ..Can't get enough
of that case, the bezel, dial, and strap. Just a stunning look ALL the way around.
Congratulations ahead of time sir ! ..NICE work and VERY NICE choice !!!

I thought the BZ I saw over the Thanksgiving holiday was too big as well....didn't know they had a smaller version. Great looking watch and it sounds like you were led directly to it!! Sort-of....you will have to get all those other ones later......

hey hobbit,great catch!!! the B.Z. is a awesome watch, i know alan had one and realy liked it. post lots of pics when you get it. steve

Awesome watch dude, even though mine is in for a date wheel repair I love the watch (and yes, I'm more forgiving of it than I probably should be but I just like it THAT much!)

I really like that brown strap with the rivets on it, I wonder if they have a black 24mm version?

I've been in that Tourneau outlet MANY times and they do have some good deals...

Hello from Big Brother Below Zero...

Alan,

I have not seen one in my looking around on the web.

Anomaly wrote:

Awesome watch dude, even though mine is in for a date wheel repair I love the watch (and yes, I'm more forgiving of it than I probably should be but I just like it THAT much!)

I really like that brown strap with the rivets on it, I wonder if they have a black 24mm version?

I've been in that Tourneau outlet MANY times and they do have some good deals...

Hello from Big Brother Below Zero...

Awesome watch bro, i was bidding on the Vortex and had a bid that was higher than the one that won and waited until the last second and the auction closed before the bid was in!!! Just as well because i bid 740.00 hoping to get it around 680.00 and it sold at 687.00 and the guy might have bid up to 735.00 and i would have been stuck with something i didnt want to pay that much for! Turned the funds into two incoming and sold my ecozilla and Dee & Ricky G-shock that Alan likes to laugh at today! Been a busy day and i made 80 dollars profit(dee & ricky) on a watch instead of losing for a change!!!

Sweet watch you picked up. Congratulations.

Sweet Hammy, have always loved the Below Zero, I may own there all black version some day. Enjoy it.