The Hamilton Super Compressor is known by a few names – Aqua-Date, Cape-Horn and Hamilton 600 to name a few – this EPSA cased super compressor dive watch has a lot going for it.

Once you start getting into vintage super compressors (especially of the Ervin Piquerez variety), one of the first things you’ll notice, beyond the super cool, cross-hatched crowns, is that most have black dials. Hamilton, however, turns the tables and offers their version with a sunburst silver dial (which has turned to a warm champagne color on many examples). This not only gives the Hamilton 600 a distinctive look, but also helps the 36mm watch look and feel larger.

Given the smaller size of the Hamilton Super Compressor, it therefore crosses nicely into dress watch territory. I regularly wear this with a suit and tie in the office. Additionally, the indices of this watch are rather reflective, which, combined with the silver dial, offers a relatively “blingy” but classy feeling.

Being a diver, especially with up to 600ft of water resistance, you’d expect a little more in the way of diving chops. But, without screw-down crowns, I’m pretty skittish around water for anything beyond washing dishes.

That said, it’s a seriously cool piece. I have at least one other Hamilton in my collection currently, and one thing that stands out, besides the immense value, are their unique but understated designs.

Hamilton is a brand that isn’t afraid to partner with other watch manufactures to bring the very best to their customers. The use of the Ervin Piquerez super compressor case is no exception. Their partnership (and eventual purchase) with Buren, for example, allowed them to utilize micro-rotor movements, super thin movements, and allowed them to have their hat in the ring for the first automatic chronograph.

As Ferris Bueller would say, “It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.”