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Hamilton Geneve, Mechanical 6bb Military Watch, Caseback ref. 6bb/523-8290, 1974 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Hamilton Geneve, Mechanical 6bb Military Watch, Caseback ref. 6bb/523-8290, 1974

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Hamilton (maker)
Date
1974
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 36 mm
Stock no.
VWS2904
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (VWS2904)
Catalogue title (original)
Hamilton Geneve - Mechanical 6bb Military Watch - Caseback Reference 6bb/523-8290 - 1974 (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number VWS2904), this is a wristwatch by Hamilton, made in Switzerland, dated 1974. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

Limited Production and Rare! Hamilton Geneve 6bb Military Watch Issued 1974 to the British Royal Air Force - Caseback Ref 6bb/523-8290 - Tonneau Shaped Case This particular Hamilton Genève is an English, Royal Air Force issued '6bb' from 1975, with the correct Genève marked dial, and is one of approximately only 700 issued in that year making it particularly sought after and so much rarer than the only other production year for these particular references, which was 1974, which in comparison, approximately 3700 were supplied! The ‘T’ marking on the dial refers to tritium, the original 1970s material used to make dials luminescent, a mark that guarantees originality. These variously marked military Hamiltons were produced between 1973 and 1976. For this to have survived so long in this condition is extremely rare; this is a true gem. The watch succeeded the earlier Smiths production piece and preceded the CWC production pieces. What's on Offer Hamilton's military watches have earned a reputation for their reliability, precision, and durability. This Hamilton is in excellent condition and a great example of their signature style offering all the comfort and functionality of a great field watch. The internal elements of this watch include a calibre 649 (ETA 2750 base) movement. ETA is known for producing reliable and high-quality Swiss-made movements. This particular movement has a power reserve of 50 hours and keeps excellent time. Caseback engravings read 6bb/523-8290 referring to military issue numbers. The well-lumed hands and hour markers have aged beautifully and contrast nicely against the black dial. Hamilton is a respected name in the watch industry, both in military and civilian contexts and this is an excellent addition to anyone's collection. Additional information Made from Case: Stainless steel Dial: Black Crystal: Plexi Bracelet: NATO style Technical specifications Winding: Manual Movement Type: Mechanical hand-wound Calibre: (649) Base ETA 2750 Jewels : 17 Waterproof: When new Power reserve: Purchase details Condition: Excellent Model Reference Number: 6BB/523-8290 Date of issue: 1974 Guarantee VWS 12 months Dimensions Width: 36mm Lug width: 19mm Lug height: (lug to lug) 41mm Wrist size: Adjustable

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Military, pilot and travel watches

The wristwatch owes much of its adoption by men to warfare and aviation. Wristlets — small pocket watches soldered with lugs and worn on a strap — were used in colonial campaigns and became standard equipment in the First World War, with protective grilles over the crystal ('shrapnel guards'). Louis Cartier's Santos (1904), designed for the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, is often cited as an early purpose-made pilot's watch.

In the Second World War governments specified watches in detail: the German B-Uhr observation watches, the American A-11, and the British 'W.W.W.' (the 'Dirty Dozen' set of 1945). After the war, jet travel brought GMT and world-time watches, which show two or more time zones at once — Louis Cottier's world-time mechanism and the Rolex GMT-Master (1955) are examples.

What to look for

  • Military markings on the case back: broad arrow, issue numbers, 'W.W.W.', 'A.T.P.'
  • High-legibility black dials with luminous Arabic numerals; oversized crowns for gloved hands.
  • 24-hour hands and rotating 24-hour bezels or city rings on GMT/world-time watches.
  • Wire lugs on early wristlets converted from pocket watches.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug wristlets: c. 1900–1925.
  • Military specifications of the Second World War: 1939–1945.
  • GMT and world-time wristwatches: mainly after 1950.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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