Hamilton Watch American Classic Pan Europ Day Date Auto | Swiss Made | 42mm Stainless Steel Case | Blue Dial Analog Watch | Black Leather Strap (Model: H35405741)

I had my eye on this watch for quite a while, debating it, wondering, honestly, if I really loved it, or really couldn't stand it....I found as many pictures as I could, watched every video I could find, and it just seemed like it could be one of my best purchases or one that would really disappoint me, and, believe me, nothing is more disappointing than a disappointment of over seven hundred bucks...Of course, I'd already researched it, and knew this was a great watch, in terms of build, and it was from a respected house, with a fine movement, quality materials, and considered a meaningful watch to add to one's collection, since it is somewhat of a celebratory heritage piece -- not of the limited edition Pan's that have been released, previously, but still commemorative of Hamilton's history. Obviously, Sapphire crystal, display back, leather rally style strap with deployment clasp, unidirectional bezel, and the very impressive H30 movement with 80 hour power reserve (wow!) is all on board.For me, it was the look that was holding me back -- was it perfectly retro, or retro gone way too far?What finally convinced me to give it a try was watching the first episode of Mad Men. I had never bothered, when it was on the air, but I was looking for a new Netflix commitment, haha, and they have all seven season on there. The show didn't turn out to be too interesting, and I didn't make it past the first season, but I really liked the watches I saw, especially the one worn by the main character, in the first episode, that looked somewhat similar to this in basic design. Turns out that one is a JLC Memovox, very pricey, but I loved the vintage look of it, and the bold center dial off set in color from the surrounding dial color is what decided me, for this Pan Europ.Was it a good buy?Well, as you can see from a happy five stars, YES, this was -- it is, in fact, to date, one of my BEST watch buys. I LOVE IT. It is really entirely unique, and stands out in my collection as a piece of real distinction, that just carries a very executive, refined air to it.The blue and white is stunning, and the bold red second hand adds the perfect level of highlighted motion. I usually purchase designs with a chronograph feature (and they did make a limited run of this, in blue, with chronograph -- too bad I missed out!), but in this case there is the useful bezel, plus I really appreciate that it comes with both day and date. The overall design is so complete and well balanced that it is truly a marvel to behold. The strap is ultra comfortable, and it has an excellent deployment clasp.Pictures give it a deceivingly swollen look, and my concern really was that the cushion case design would look like a raised cookie sitting on my wrist, but, in real life, the case is not thick, nor is the watch heavy feeling or bulky looking. It wears very streamlined and light and manages to portray its bold look without needing a large case to try and pull that off, utilizing style over girth to make its executive statement of command.I don't know the point of the included NATO band -- it seems a sacrilege to pair such a beautiful watch with such a primitive strap, but I guess that's the preference for some. Others have suggested it needs a different strap, other than the black rally leather strap upon which it arrives, but I think it's ideal, and the red just visible in the strap holes are an excellent compliment to the red second hand, not to mention the deep black of the leather sets off the colors of silver and blue and white with stunning contrast. I won't be swapping the strap on mine.I am thoroughly impressed with this watch, and it's one of those great and rare situations where reality far exceeded hopeful expectation.If you are looking for something exclusive and singular that echoes poise and leadership presence, while hinting at sporting adventures by yacht or race car, hearkening to an era of refined luxury and upper class distinction, then this beautiful watch encompasses all of that and more. It's one of the few watches I own that comes with a feeling to it, and, while it's not simple to even capture it in words, you just feel good wearing it, and feel good owning it. To me, that's definitely an investment that's more than worth it.My Summary:* Beautiful design for an uncommon look that is both retro, yet modern* Outstanding features and internal movement* Excellent value for the price -- quality rivals or exceeds watches of far greater price* Would definitely recommend to a friend* Would definitely buy again -- but wouldn't wait so long this time!I hope this was helpful! Thanks for reading!

The Hamilton Pan-Europ is a great timepiece at any price. At a price of less than $900 it is extraordinary. My example purchased through Amazon is the most accurate automatic watch of the 20 or so I own. Over 48 hours it has neither gained nor lost a single second compared to a satellite reference. That sort of accuracy isn't unusual in a quality quartz timepiece but it is VERY unusual in an automatic watch powered by a mainspring.The original Pan-Europ was a chronograph introduced in by Hamilton in 1971. The current version retains the look of the original in a 3 hand form. Unlike the best known watches in the Hamilton catalog from the "Khaki" collection, the Pan-Europ is colorful with a deep blue face, silver hour and minute hands, and a bright red second hand that sweeps smoothly across a white chapter ring adorned with silver minute markers. Both the time and the day/date window are extremely readable.It's not without weaknesses, of course. The unidirectional rotating bezel is the mark of a dive watch with 15 minutes (a typical dive times) identified with individual dots. But with only 50 meters of water resistance, the absence of a screw down crown, and a black leather or an alternate fabric NATO strap, it's no diver. In fact, if there are sports to which the watch refers, it is motorsports, especially rallies. Even so, there are better choices for auto racing and rally timing, including the Pan-Europ chronographs.All in all, I think the Hamilton-Day Date Auto, especially the version in red, white, and blue, is an extraordinarily beautiful example of a "go anywhere, do anything" everyday watch. Suitable for business and casual wear. And with a claimed 80 hour power reserve it can be taken off on Friday after work and put on again on Monday morning still running with an accurate time display.

I'm torn here. The watch, while beautiful, is loose in the package and shoved into a watch box for a quartz chrono watch. In fact, all items in the watch box (watch, Nato strap and watch tool) are not secured in the box. They were loose in transit. The box also contains a quartz warranty card instead of an automatic watch warranty card. It clearly states that the warranty is good for a quartz watch only.Seller is the Blue Tech Group. I don't want to go through the hassle of return if at all possible; yet, Amazon states they cannot contact the seller directly and only ship (fulfill) their items. I'm disappointed with the Blue Tech Group and not the item itself. It seems like someone stuck the watch and accessories into an ill-fitting box. Perhaps this watch was previously returned?The watch itself is beautiful with the retro feel while not looking cheap. I love the hack mechanism. The size is not too large or thick and the weight is not too heavy. Sizing is engineered just right. The blue color on the dial is better than the online picture and the blue rotating bezel complements it well. Red minute marks adorn the dial for the first 15 seconds of 60.The watch seems to be accurate to -5 seconds/day which is very good for an automatic movement.I only wish it were a screw-down crown for better water resistance. One star deduction for the "plastic-like" black leather band. It's real leather, but could easily be misinterpreted as plastic. It looks cheap and the black color doesn't match the red, white and blue dial. The red circles within the black band do match the red minute marks on the dial.In future product iterations, I'd like to see a better-looking watch band and a screw-down crown. Four stars for I like it, but will most likely purchase another leather band in the near future.