Hamilton 'L.L. Bean' Chronograph

Soldspan>: Sold

REF 9446

Automatic-winding

39 MM

– Show less

SKU	AS10942
Article Number	40992538
ref	9446
case size	39 MM
movement	Automatic-winding
approximate age	1980s
dial color	Black
material	Stainless Steel
style	Chronograph
category	Vintage
bracelet	Leather
lug width	20 MM
Includes	Khaki brown leather strap with original, Hamilton signed, stainless steel pin buckle.
overall condition	Excellent condition overall. Case is in excellent condition with faint signs of wear consistent with gentle use and handling. Dial and handset are in excellent condition showing light and even patina.

Inquire about this item

REF 9446

Automatic-winding

39 MM

– Show less

SKU	AS10942
Article Number	40992538
ref	9446
case size	39 MM
movement	Automatic-winding
approximate age	1980s
dial color	Black
material	Stainless Steel
style	Chronograph
category	Vintage
bracelet	Leather
lug width	20 MM
Includes	Khaki brown leather strap with original, Hamilton signed, stainless steel pin buckle.
overall condition	Excellent condition overall. Case is in excellent condition with faint signs of wear consistent with gentle use and handling. Dial and handset are in excellent condition showing light and even patina.

Why We Love it

–

Vintage chronographs have a special place in the heart of Analog:Shift. Chronograph with unique stories, patina, and character were the lifeblood that started the business over ten years ago, and continues to drive our enthusiasm to this day.

This particular example was produced under contract for the legendary New England outfitter L.L. Bean of Freeport, Maine, and is born from Hamilton's union with L.L. Bean. Although most Hamilton L.L. Bean pieces were field style 'Khaki' watches, this piece represents a rarer departure from that norm.

Featuring a classic tri-register chronograph display, dark dial, and incredible day-date display. Produced in the 80s, this 39mm piece remains incredibly well-proportioned and comfortable in 2025.

With an accessible price point, bombproof movement and spartan military styling that is always en vogue, these timekeepers are the perfect companions for everything from everyday wear, and with the added L.L. Bean provenance, this watch truly speaks to outdoors enthusiasts everywhere!

Plus, powering this rare piece is an automatic retrofitted Valjoux base. It's a reliable and servicable movement and makes for fantastic chronograph functionality.

Brand Story

The Department of Defense first ordered General Issue (GI) watches in 1964, to outfit soldiers in the years leading up to the conflict in Vietnam. Like the 'Dirty Dozen', the GI watches were made to resist exposure in inhospitable environments. Corrosion-resistant steel cases were utilized to protect the movement from debris, moisture, and shock that it would encounter in the jungles of Vietnam or the deserts of the Middle East.

The DoD contracted GI watches from many manufacturers, the most notable among them being Hamilton and Benrus. While other manufacturers cast their cases in plastic or fiberglass, Hamilton--the first manufacturer to receive the contract in 1964--cast theirs in steel throughout the entire 30 years of production. The look of these watches remained more or less the same during this interval, in keeping with the utility of their design and construction.

Their dials were spartan, and featured printed Arabic indices for both 12- and 24-hour graduations with luminous plots at each interval, with matching luminous 'syringe' hands and a 'spear' central seconds hand which was coated with a healthy dollop of Tritium to ensure maximum legibility. The 17-jewel, manual wind movements fitted were equipped with a hacking feature: a mechanism that stops the second hand from moving when setting the time. This enabled soldiers to synchronize their timepieces for maximum accuracy during elite operations and coordinated maneuvers. Despite the compact size of 34mm, these watches were designed to take a beating.

A:S Guarantee

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

Shipping & Returns

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.