Vortic Watch: The Comparing Watch, Second Edition

Throughout WWII, the United States Navy trusted Hamilton Watch Company to manufacture the timepieces for their warships, with the Hamilton Chronometer and the Hamilton Comparing Watch. Now, Vortic Watch Company gets to preserve a handful of the historic Comparing Watches, reimagining them as wristwatches. Part of a limited edition release, only 10 WWII-era Comparing Watches were sourced and converted by Vortic into wrist watches. 

The Comparing Watch’s purpose was to assist in navigating warships for the United States Navy.  During World War II, the US Military commissioned Hamilton Watch Company to design and produce the Model 21 Chronometer. These highly accurate marine chronometers were carried on Navy craft and used to determine the ship's position by celestial navigation. Hamilton chronometers were essential to the war effort; as the master time source, they had their own maintenance manual and received specialized care. A crew member, usually the Chief Quartermaster, ensured the ship's chronometer was wound each day and carefully maintained. He was also responsible for its safety, wrapping it and “putting it to bed" in case of battle and taking it with him if ever the crew was forced to abandon ship.

Naval regulations prohibited moving a ship's chronometer about the vessel since it was the master time source. Therefore, a Comparing Watch, Hamilton Watch Company’s Grade 2974B model pocket watch, was included with every Chronometer.

With its hacking sub-second, the Comparing Watch would be set to the exact time of the chronometer. The Comparing Watch was then carried up to a ship’s bridge where the navigators shot the sun, stars, or moon to determine the ship's latitude, longitude, and position in the fleet according to a nautical chart. They called this process “getting a fix” on their location.

The Comparing Watch was carried by the Officers of the Watch throughout the ship’s deployment, twenty-four-seven, around the clock. On receipt, it would be wound and checked to ensure the watch was keeping time in concert with the ship’s chronometer. In addition to its use in navigation, it would be carried to mission-critical stations on the ship to ensure that all clocks on board requiring close time were set precisely. Among these locations would be the gun turrets, the message center, the radio room, and the Master Chief 's quarters.

As part of this special edition, the Comparing Watch houses an antique Hamilton 2974B pocket watch with an original dial, hands, and movement. The watch features a sapphire crystal case back allowing you to see the antique movement. Vortic used a stainless steel case, crown, and hardware along with a stitched black Horween Shell Cordovan strap, all made in the USA specifically for this watch. 

WATCH SPECIFICATIONS:

• Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
• Model Year: 2024 Military Special Edition, Limited Edition of 10
• Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
• Case Dimensions: Diameter: 49mm, Lug Width: 24mm
• Case Material: Machined Steel
• Crown/Hardware: Stainless Steel
• Water Resistance: 1 ATM
• Crystals: Domed German Glass (front), Sapphire Glass (back)
• Case Back: Stainless Steel
• Strap: Custom Navy Leather with White Stitching

MOVEMENT:

• Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
• Serial Number: Varies
• Manufacture Year: Varies 1938 to 1950
• Function: Manual Wind
• Jewels: 17 Jewels
• Hands: Original Antiques
• Size: 16s
• Power Reserve: ~36 Hours