Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Automatic GMT 43mm BronzevsVario Empire Art Nouveau Handwound

The Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Automatic GMT 43mm Bronze is widely praised for its excellent fit and finish, pleasing proportions with a 22mm lug width, and a matte dial that minimizes glare. Owners appreciate its 300 meters of water resistance, 80-hour power reserve from the H-14 automatic GMT movement, and the fact that it wears smaller than its 43mm size suggests. Some owners find the flush crown guards and rock-solid feel make it an outstanding beater dive watch. However, opinions are split on the date placement, dial markers, and logo text size, with some preferring a cleaner look and faster setting due to the lack of a date window, while others note the absence of a lumed bezel pip. One owner dislikes the trade-offs for the 80-hour power reserve, preferring a smoother second hand sweep and more torque, and finds the bezel action tight.

Owners widely praise the Vario Empire Art Nouveau Handwound for its detailed, multi-layered dial featuring applied numerals and guilloche patterns, its elegant Art Deco-inspired design, and the enjoyable winding feel of the Miyota 6T33 handwound movement, often visible through an exhibition case back. The 38mm case size is considered a positive by many, and the included leather strap is noted for its comfort and quality. Some owners find the differing fonts on the sub-dials and perimeter less appealing, and the absence of a constant seconds sub-dial is flagged as a drawback. On balance, owners rate the Vario Empire Art Nouveau Handwound highly for its distinctive Art Deco styling and detailed dial at its price point.