We love murdered-out watches as much as the next guy. But what some all-black timepieces gain in tactical appeal they give up in legibility.
Back in 2022, as Hamilton was revamping its Khaki Navy Frogman line with a new crown protector and stainless steel case (swapping out titanium), the American-turned-Swiss firm also debuted a black PVD version. Looking more like something a covert operative might wear during a midnight mission with its stealthy hands and markers buried in darkness, the diver was (and still is) difficult to read.
Now, Hamilton has gone back to the black PVD well, this time keeping the dimensions and case color intact but simply sprinkling in some white accents where we need them most.
Military DNA
Hamilton knows a thing or two about tough dive watches. Their maritime legacy stretches back to 1943 when their specialized timepieces equipped U.S. Navy underwater demolition teams (the predecessors of the Navy SEALs). Those early Frogman watches, with their distinctive crown locking mechanisms, earned their reputation in the harshest conditions imaginable.
Fast forward to 2025 and Hamilton has continued this military connection, creating purpose-built timepieces across its Khaki lineup, consisting of the Navy, Field, and Aviation sub-lines, which has become available for civilian purchase for around four decades now. And the new black PVD version shows how the company is willing to evolve while still looking to its past for inspiration.
SHADOWS AND LIGHT
Retaining its 46mm case diameter with a 13.6mm thickness, this new Khaki Navy Frogman (ref. H77855330) maintains the stealthy black PVD coating across its angular case but this time around introduces contrasting white Super-LumiNova on the indices and hands, dramatically improving visibility while retaining the watch’s aggressive aesthetic.
Likewise, the minute and second hands are outlined in burnt orange, while the hour hand, hour markers, and 12 o’clock numeral are outlined in gray. We do love that Hamilton stuck with the blacked-out unidirectional diving bezel though (i.e., with black numerals as well), showing that it still intends at least a slight tactical presentation.
Aside from the new play on the black colorway, this version of the Frogman fortunately doesn’t stray too far from previous releases. Not a desk diver in the slightest, the watch delivers serious wrist presence due to its dimensions and once again gets you a whopping 300m of water resistance. No longer going with titanium either, its steel case provides some heft as well. Meanwhile, the crown remains protected by Hamilton’s signature bridge-shaped guard, nodding to the brand’s naval heritage.
The all-black theming continues to the wavy rubber strap, which is vented for breathability and secured with a black PVD steel pin buckle.
POWERMATIC PERFORMANCE
Beneath that solid PVD caseback, Hamilton’s surprisingly rugged H-10 caliber (their version of the Powermatic 80) is a fan favorite with an 80-hour power reserve that doesn’t require daily wear for timekeeping. The Nivachron hairspring provides enhanced magnetic resistance, which is crucial for maintaining accuracy in environments with electronic equipment.
SPEC SHEET
Model: Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Automatic Black PVD
Reference: H77855330
Case Material: Black PVD-coated stainless steel
Case Size: 46mm
Case Thickness: 13.6mm
Movement: Hamilton H-10 automatic (Powermatic 80 base)
Power Reserve: 80 hours
Water Resistance: 300m
Crystal: AR-coated sapphire
Lume: White Super-LumiNova
Band: Black rubber strap
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
Part of the permanent collection, the Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Automatic in black PVD will be priced at $1,345, still making this diver a solid affordable alternative to your more luxury options.
Recap
Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Automatic 46mm Black PVD
An alternative to the brand’s murdered-out Khaki Navy Frogman from a few years back, Hamilton provides more legibility with this black PVD-coated watch, featuring white hands and indices, albeit an all-black bezel still.
