Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman hands-on watch review

Hamilton's Khaki Navy Frogman watch may have originally been created for US naval 'frogmen' teams in the 1940s, but these days it's just as likely to be found on the wrists of recreational scuba divers exploring wrecks and coral reefs around the world as it is on those of US special forces running military operations.

Built for punishment

The Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman traces its history back to 1943 when the first US Navy underwater demolitions teams, whose mission was to clear mines and obstacles in preparation for land invasions, became a formal unit called Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs).

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For their missions, NCDUs were provided with Hamilton waterproof wristwatches that featured a screw cap to help prevent water from entering the movement.

The watch has endured down the years, not least because of the unusual styling of its locking mechanism. The latest update is sportier, featuring "a technical, aggressive edge," according to the brand's CEO, Sylvain Dolla.

So how does it perform as a diving companion? To put it through its paces, The Week Portfolio took the watch for a dive in the magnificent waters of Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef.

On-wrist

The 2016 Khaki Navy Frogman is a noticeable presence both in and out of the water. At 46mm in diameter, and with a bright red bezel, the watch could hardly be described as demure. The luminescent triple-facetted hands are a striking presence against the watch's black dial, giving it a twinkle in its proverbial eye. The red-trimmed tip of the seconds hand is all business though – highlighting its role as an operating indicator, an essential feature of any good dive watch.

Dive, dive, dive!

The first thing you notice as you enter the water is how legible the Khaki Navy Frogman is. The hour markers are clear, the hands eye-catching, and all aspects of the watch's design, from the rubber strap to its titanium case, seem to take a small step back, leaving you just with the information you need: the amount of time you have spent underwater.

In terms of functionality, the unidirectional bezel turns with a satisfying click, and the lock opens and shuts with little resistance, despite its heavy industrial appearance.

Admittedly, I only submerged myself to a depth of about 30 metres so I hardly put the Khaki Navy Frogman's case through any great strain considering it's water-resistant up to 1,000 metres. Submerging yourself to those kinds of depths will bring into play one of the watch's other important components: its helium valve, which serves to equal out internal and external pressures in saturation diving conditions.

The watch felt very comfortable on my wrist as I dived in Lizard Island's clear waters, spotting trumpet fish, brightly coloured soldierfish, turtles, cardinal fish, sting rays and more.

I had worried that the watch's brushed rubber band would get gummed up with sand, or show signs of wear, but each time I emerged from the water and headed for the resort's Driftwood Bar (which became an afternoon tradition), the watch looked good as new. In fact, the Khaki Navy Frogman remained free of marks, sand or grit, despite near constant use over the course of a week.

The extra nautical mile

Once upon a time, sports watches didn't tend to be worn in formal settings. But the success of high-end sports watches like the all-conquering Rolex Submariner, the storied Speedmaster Pro and the race-inspired Tag Heur Carrera helped to change all that. Today, it is not uncommon to see a handsome dive watch in a boardroom or dining room.

Indeed, the Khaki Navy Frogman became a reliable companion throughout my time in Queensland, regardless of what I was doing. It accompanied me on bushwalks through the Daintree Rainforest, travelled with me to the gracious Silky Oaks Lodge set high in the treetops and tagged along while I was dining with business contacts at the Ochre, one of Cairns's top restaurants.

Given its bulk, the watch is a definite presence, and it probably wouldn't slide easily under a shirtsleeve, but it never really looked out of place and I always enjoyed seeing the flash of the red bezel even if it sometimes clashed with my outfit.

The Khaki Navy Frogman is not a watch to wear if you want to blend in. It's large and opinionated, and the locking mechanism gives it a purposeful mechanical look that is immediately eye-catching. It's also a solid tool watch and would no doubt still work for a US Navy frogman. As long as he or she wasn't trying to do anything too covert.

With a long and interesting history, the Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman is a great timepiece at a good price. The suggested retail price is £1,095 for the 46mm version reviewed and £840 for the 42mm version.

For more visit www.hamiltonwatch.com