Hamilton finally answered our prayers, but there is a big problem with the new Murph 38. Join the best discussion platform for watches at WatchCrunch.com
My son is an Interstellar fan and since he saw the movie, he really fell in love with the Murph Hamilton, however he knew it was a big watch for his wrist, but he still was infatuated with it. I am glad I waited and I bought him the 38mm model and it fits his wrist just perfect! now he is in total bliss and enjoying it.
@@Hamsong I’ll definitely try and make the comparison myself if I get the chance! My wrist is a fairly slender 6.25inches and I air towards vintage sizing a lot so this might be the biggest I’d go. I have a Vaer bracelet which I believe will fit almost perfect coming in tomorrow to replace the strap. I also might get a dark brown leather strap in the future. So far I’m loving it! From PA so the Hamilton brand is awesome to me. I’m new to collecting watches and hope I have this for years to come / make good memories with it on my wrist.
@@jgo8305 Good to hear. I really wanted the original in 2020. I ordered it and when it arrived at the store, it totally hung off my wrist. I think my wrist is about 6.25” now, too… I have a 40mm Junghans with tiny lugs that looks great, and 38 with long lugs like the Murph would work nicely. I like that they did the exhibition back, too…
I have the murph38. No, it does not have any (or much) AR coating. Yes, the strap is black. Mine runs very well...about - 2 sec per day. Overall, it's a great watch for the price!!
I think the Murph is a more aesthetically pleasing watch with a lovely proportion. Lack of good AR non screw down crown and mediocre Lume are definitely off putting but the Hammy gets my vote between the two. Nice video Max.
I like both brands, but would pick the Murph. With no date window and don’t like 2 crowns on a watch case with the Seiko. Also like the long power reserve of the Murph.
@@simonlangmead7 I have an SPB197J1 alpinist and would pick it over the murph simply due to the far more intriguing and dynamic dial, applied indices, screw down crown, AR coating and value for money. That being said, I love interstellar so Ill be picking up the murph anyways lol
Great video. Thank you. You make it sound as though there's no reason to spend the extra money on the Murph (over less expensive Hamilton field watches) unless your a big Interstellar fan. But from a design standpoint this 38 Murph is far superior to any other Khaki field offering and stands on its own, without reference to the film. Deleting the 24 hour markings on most Khaki field watches, thus creating more space around larger arabic numbers and deleting the Morse code preciousness on the second hand, gives this a clean handsome and more formal look than any ordinary Hamilton military field. The Murph is classic and clean, without the need for military or cinefile pretense.
I picked this up 2 days ago, and I love it’s understated elegance on my 7” wrist. Yes, the AR isn’t the best. Yes, it doesn’t have a screw-down crown. Yes, I hate the strap. And yes, the polished bezel seems out of place on a field watch. You know what? I love it anyway, and you might too. Go try one on, and see if it ‘clicks’ with you. It’s simple and pure. Shout out to my friends at Topper Jewelers in Burlingame, CA. 👋 You guys rock.
As a Seiko alpinist owner... the internal rotating bezel is a novelty (never use day to day) and the original strap on the SPB121J1 just never broke in for me - just too tough. On the plus, swapping in a green leather strap (similar to you bronze Alpinist) is recommended and the SPB121J1 green dial is a joy to view on sunny days. My vote is for getting the 2 if budget permits - alpinist for day time, Smurf (small Murph) for the office and evening :) Would be a great 2-watch collection.
I will never understand why people hate the issued strap with the SPB121J1. The quick release clasp is superb, nice Seiko branding on the inside of the strap plus on the buckle, the color is very complimentary to the watchcase. The leather is comfortable and very durable, if it werent flimsier it wouldn't be useful as an explorer watch.
Thank for the video and the face to face with the Alpinist. One detail is way more important to me than it should be : the date window. I enjoy so much more à watch without date ! I think it is more daring, more symmetric, more classy. So my take would be the Hamilton.
Great video and points. Couldn't help but notice that with your ratings for the two watches, the alpinist actually added up to 35.5 which beat out the murph by .5 points, and not vice versa.
Well he changed the score of the Fit/Finish category saying it was a tie and both were 7s, then the Alpinist turned to an 8 when going into the Movement category. Kinda sloppy
I think the Hamilton website says the 38mm has an AR coating. As someone who would be interested in the 42mm, it makes me a bit sad that they didn't update the design of the 42mm when they released the 38. Judging from pictures, the 38 also looks to have slightly whiter numbers on the dial.
At my age (67), the Murph black dial provides the backdrop for greater numeral/dial contrast so is easier on my eyes. It’s a less cluttered dial with no complications, and its plainjane appearance is just what I wanted. Clean and sturdy and can pass for a dress watch for a working class person such as myself, just by swapping out the leather strap to a bracelet on the weekends. I’ve only ever had Timex’s my whole life from the time my dad bought me my first watch when I was 10 and they have served me well, but I decided to take things up a few notches in terms of durability/flexibility/accuracy. I work with kids and need a watch that is super accurate since we’re on a strict time schedule and I find my iphone, awkward and distracting when trying stay abreast of the time. Thanks for the vid.
The simple military look of the Murph is its strength and often less is more. It's on my Wishlist. Great video I subscribed on the strength of this review. Thank you
Never saw the movie but I just love the simple dial on the watch, so many of Hamilton’s watches seem to busy. To me the Murph reminds me of the Tudor Ranger at a 1/3 of the price. I have one on order🤗
Crystal glare on Murph vs shiny polished numerals on the Seiko: On an outdoor sunny day, those Seiko polished numerals will be very annoying, while the painted numerals on Murph retain their legibility even though you may need to adjust the angle a bit. Another point, I think this Seiko, like most watches actually, even when they boast, only has a single sided AR coating (usually interior), and don't have double sided AR coating (which is the only kind to trully remove glare) anyway. While the overall style is subjective, I believe the Murph style will appeal to a larger crowd then the green dialed Seiko with gold numerals. To be fair, I don't think these should be directly comparable, as one is a 3 hand time only watch, the other a time and date watch with a cyclops lens, which significantly ruins symmetry, while of course providing more functionality.
In my opinion the Murph looks way better than the Seiko… I bought the 42mm - Even though my wrist is a modest 6.6” my wrist has a shape which makes the size just about acceptable BUT now with the 38mm it will be replaced as it will be a much better fit… Just hope it will be just as accurate as my 42 which gains less than a second a day if worn 24/7 … The Murph is such a pretty and simple timepiece!
@@regulartower588 I just love a clean dial and often the case is that a wonderful dial is "ruined" for me with a date window - not always though, I do own a couple of watches with dates. I just dislike the way they usually do it. Lange&Sohne do awesome dates but in their cases that usually works and just adds to the style.
I strongly disagree that the Murph's connection to the movie is its only selling point above any standard Khaki. For one, I have never seen Interstellar but the biggest draw to this watch for me was the unique aesthetic only found in this particular model. Cathedral hands are not used in the regular khakis and the dial layout is cleaner, the watch as a whole has a premium look to it that just isn't present in standard field watches.
Great review 👍👍 I think the Baby Alpinist vs the Murph is the more compelling comparison. Both are amazing watched and I think it comes down to personal preference. On a side note, you can currently get the 38mm Murph at a 20% discount from ADs so both watches are at a similar price.
I like your point about lug width affecting wearability. I disagree that it wears like the other watches in the khaki line. On a 6 3/8 inch wrist the lug to lug of the 38 mm Murph wears much better than the greater lug to lug on the 38 mm khaki mechanical or khaki automatics.
you say the Seiko has more attention to detail but when it comes to a field watch I appreciate simplisity and robustness as would be befiting for use in the military, Somtimes less is more .
I bought the Murph. It just looks a classic and was such a brilliant work of art that it was brought into existence by popular demand. It is extremely rare that something is created in this order and that says everything about it. The lack of lume and AR is a great shame but I'll forgive it for that.
I have both the alpinist and the murph. Both are pleasing to the eyes and perform well. Didn't think twice of buying either. My 2 cents, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever" :)
I think the alpinist is a great watch but the murph is special because of the movie tie in. If you haven’t seen/don’t like the movie I’m not sure if there’s anything else especially special about the murph. A good watch but a little boring. I love the film and of the two I’d definitely go for the murph myself Lovely video as always thanks
I did not care about the Interstellar movie. Watched it once and will probable never watch it again. I like tthe 38 mm Murph though. Just wished it has AR coating and a regulator pin.
@@MrPleers that appears to be true from what others are saying as well. Not a dealbreaker for me but I can see how it would put off many. Thanks for the clarification, Pascal.
I have both the Coop and Murph as I love the movie, pre-ordering the Murph with the tesseract box as soon as it was announced. I have a 7.5” wrist and am glad that I own the Murph rather than the Smurph as, for me, it has a closer connection to the film. Nonetheless, the smaller Murph is a gorgeous watch in its own right.
@@didamnesia3575 😂 Hilarious comment! I love it how certain people can say something so succinctly, yet accurately. I cant stop chuckling. Cheers to that!
The "Murph" done right: 1) 39mm 2) 18 layers of internal A.R. coating 3) Seiko diver bright lume 4) +/- 2 per day for every unit, like Rolex 5) Eureka on seconds hand in MORSE code.
The lack of AR coating, the disappointing lume and lack of a regulator pin makes it a lesser watch for me. I did not care about the Interstellar movie. But I like the way it looks.
If it’s not a diving watch (who dives with fancy Swiss watches anyway?) it should not have a screw down crown. It’s so wonderful to be able to just wind your watch manually without having to first unscrew the crown, and then re-screw the crown carefully. I can’t stand or understand the obsession with screw down crowns on non diver watches. It’s 100m water resist, rain or swimming is not going to mess it up. But why would you swim in a leather strapped watch anyway?
The Murph is classier in my opinion, more elegant and doesn't have the same dedicated tool aesthetic of the Alpy. That being said, I own and love both!
Okay, so here it is, Murph is classic three hand no date, cleaner dial, good enough water resistant (with 100 meters you can shower with it tbh!), no screw down crown (remember that screw down crown wears down sooner), and better sized. No contest in my opinion. Murph wins by a long shot.
Great review. I just can't decide between Hamilton H70455133 and Seiko SPB155J1. While Seiko SPB155J1 is available in India, Hamilton H70455133 is not. I hate it so much that I see both of them and then able to decide. If you had to, which one would you pick
i would like to correct one thing regarding the AR coating for the murph 38. you mentioned it doesnt have an AR coating. yet as per the specs on the website it HAS AR coating
I do have that Alpinist, but the baby Alpinist in blue is now preferred to that one. As for Hamilton, they’ve never really gelled for me. I can’t put my finger on why though.
I like the Alpinist as well as Seiko watches ( have several). But I am very fond of Hamilton watches. I really like the Murph now it's available in the smaller size. I have the Khaki Field Automatic, but would consider selling it and stick with the Murph, which has sa bit more character (to my eyes, that is).
I calculated the scores myself multiple times. The Alpinist won by a margin with 35.5, the Murph scored 35. I love both watches, I have an Alpinist and the Murph is high on my next watch to get list, but yeah please double check your calculations and be honest.
7 1/2 inch wrist and I decided on the 42mm (just got it a few months ago. I found a 38 to be too small and the 42 to be just a tad too large. There’s no 40 so what are you gonna do? It may sound silly, but I chose the 42 because I wanted ‘Eureka’.
Hi Max, A very good video, with a peculiar and interesting question. Despite I have I Seiko Alpinist Blue ("Hodinkee"), which I really love, the Prospex Alpinist Sunbeam Forest Khaki with that yellow gold case would have been added to my collection if it wasn’t for the annoying “cyclops” magnifier, with the day date under a big white background. If Seiko had chosen a non date dial or, at list, a discreet date window with a green background, and without that ugly magnifier, it would have been a triumph. Unfortunately, whereas the Murph has a sober and balanced dial that transmits harmony, the dial of the gold/green Seiko is completely unbalanced and, at least, to me, transmits a bad vibration, completely far from Zen tranquility. A pity because it had potential. Kindest regards, David
I don't think a screw down crown should be a factor for fit and finish. You said it all with the Hamilton feeling more solid. It has better fit and finish. Screw down crown is a feature.
Hi Max. Sorry to be the guy but I just need to point out that it's actually the Alpinist that wins using your scoring system - the total should be 35.5 not 34.5! Anyway, both great watches. I have a Hamilto Kaki auto in 38 and a SARB 017 Alpinist and I would choose the Seiko everyday over the Hammy. The Hammy is so difficult to read because of the reflective issue. As beautiful as the Murph is, that aspect would put me off.
I have a baby alpinist and although the movement runs within spec, the 6R35 movement is way less accurate compared to the H-10 movement in my Khaki Field Auto. The alpinist gains about 15-20 seconds a day, while my Khaki gains 1 second a day. But I also have a murph 38 coming in, and soon I’ll find out if just got really lucky with the H-10 movement in my Khaki. Maybe my 6R35 needs to be regulated, but the thing is, I can get it to run at +/-3 for about a minute if I wind it up a lot before testing. If I run the test for more than a minute I can see the watch start to gain time quickly, which is something the H-10 doesn’t do. I also have a seiko with a 6R15D and that one gains about + 6 or 7.
I bought the original Murph and though it is on the large size, as a film fan it didn’t bother me. I also got it with the limited edition tesseract case, which is neat.
Good video, but I am really sorry you cannot give less vote on History at the Seiko only due to the fact the Hamilton has a movie heritage although very recent. Seiko and Alpinist have a very interesting history far more interesting than the Murph 😉 Anyway good review I will cite It into my channel 😉 good work, 😏
I would choose the Murph on looks and superior movement in spite of the glare and without concern for the movie connection. The price is the main issue with it. A modern baby Alipinist would be a much closer decision though.
I would like to see them both in the flesh before making a decision as it's a close call. I have the larger Murph which does not have AR coating if I recall but it's still very readable but less so compared to many modern watches around. The thing about the Murph is it's a new watch that has been produced to look very old so maybe that's why Hamilton left off the AR coating at the expense of legibility. The lugs drop down a fair amount so although on paper they are long I find it comfortable on my little under 7" wrist. I love the look of the Alpinist though and it ticks many of the boxes and in a 1:1 feature fight wins by quite a margin, the date, water resistance and internal bezel. At the moment I doubt if I'll purchase either but maybe in the future who knows. Oh and Interstellar is a brilliant film in my humble opinion.
Thanks for the review! Much appreciated. For me, the lack of an AR coating these days is just unacceptable IMHO. My (relatively) inexpensive Victorinox INOX has triple AR coating on the inside, and if they can do it, so can Hamilton. As well, I already have the Khaki field (and like it) but the lack of AR is such a disappointment.
I love the gold and green Alpinist. It is so appropriate to the concept. Wouldn't it also be cool if Grand Seiko teamed up with Seiko to do an exquisite white winter dial edition of the Alpinist?
@@derosa1989 The Hamilton does have an AR coating but in person, it doesn't make a difference. The reflections are very prominent and the crystal has a very tinted hue which is not pleasant under natural or bright lights.
It's a good enough looking watch but the price premium over other Khaki models isn't worth it to me. I ordered a Seiko Alpinist SPB241J1 which arrived yesterday. It's as nice as I thought it would be. Admittedly it's more of a dress/daily but that's how I'll use it. I got a hefty discount which made it 2/3 the price of the Murph. As an aside, I had no idea how small the collars in the bracelet are! Fortunately I was ready for anything and didn't lose one.
@@WatchCrunchOfficial That model is also 100m of WR, or 50m? And was the crown pulled out? I’m always curious because I have a GS that is 100m WR with a push pull crown, and depending on who you talk to swimming with that configuration is either a complete no go or totally fine.
The Water Resistance ratings are done with static pressure in a controlled settings. In reality depth is only a part of the pressure exerted on the watch. As your hands goes through the swimming motion there’s dynamic pressure as well as pressure from the moving water. Water temperature and density and the how new the seals in the watch are also a factor. I am sure 100m or 50m is fine in all settings, but maybe 30m WR watches would be risky.
@@Andy-to7xu I understand all of that and agree. That’s why my comment was specifically geared towards the 100m WR watch in this review. Most people are don’t debate that a 100m WR watch with a screw down crown is safe. But as soon as you switch to push/pull it’s as tho 100m of WR is no longer suitable for swimming.
I just don't get the added cost of the Murph. My Khaki field is awesome for half the price. Maybe cuz I'm not a movie fan? Nice watch but it doesn't trip my trigger. Nice comparison with the Alpinist! One of my 'keepers' for sure.
I really liked how the Murph 38 looked on your wrist and I like a field watch with Full Numbers and a black dial. The 42mm sells for around £900 and can be picked up between £550 to £650 used so I'm going to let someone else buy the 38 then pick it up when they're bored with it. Great vid again Max and loved the Dylan Thomas in the intro
I got the Murph 38 for £650 new. It’s fantastic. The strap wears horribly and is rigid and plasticky but I’ve put on a lovely dark brown leather and it looks really great
Be sure to very closely inspect any used Murph of either size as the bezel is easily banged up, dinged and scratched. I bought a second New Murph so I could wear one daily to be WABI and still have another mint one in the LE box. I got both discounted new. Getting an LE box version discounted is a feat.
Oh man the Murph all day. That Seiko is ok, but come on the watch was in Interstellar, in a scene that was sooooo iconic too. If you didn’t cry at that scene and the scenes after you are as soulless as that lume on the Seiko!!
Nice watch. Could not care less about if related with a movie or some real history, I just look at the design and specs. The Hamilton has several problems, bad AR coating, poor lume, lack of screw down crown. However I kind of prefer this dial Vs the normal khaki, don't like the dual marker (13/24h) nor the date window on the normal khaki
I own the larger Murph and an Alpinist similar to the vid. They are not really competitors. The Murph for the story, and frankly I’m using a field khaki auto as my everyday… so I treat the Murph as an investment and bring it out for social settings. The Alpinist is just one everybody needs. I use it everywhere, outdoors, social… just when I want green/gold. It’s very true that the H movement is better. Better time, etc. both are calibrated to the extent they can be and the H is always perfect with the seiko adding a few seconds a day. Field watches come in all flavors. These have some history, but my Ranger is tool all the way and better than both. The explorer micros are also my style but don’t get a lot of wrist time. Lorier is dressy, smith has history, islander is white and a bit day date, Timex Titanium is just cool, even have a McGyver (again, just cool), Casios work when you know they’re going to get bashed about, and even my land tortoise fits in …the only cushion/Willard in my collection. So while I like them all, the Murph fits all settings, and is a great conversation piece. I’d only consider a 38 if I couldn’t pull off the bigger model, and I can. I get there are some small wrists. What an advantage! No need for custom straps or too short bracelets, but the trade off is, that I have a slightly larger wrist though I’m not a large person… genes I guess. Best of luck if you need a small version of anything but it’s supposed to be a watch with a story that didn’t exist. Try the 42 if you can live with 52 lug to lug
Hi great video, wondering if you would do a comparison between murph 38mm with the new Seiko alpinist GMT SPB379J1, I'm considering to get one of them for my first automatic watch. thanks!
Alpinist loses for me because the outer dial isn't ratcheted which means a bump can rotate it off centre. It also loses because when rotating it, there's a very slight movement vertically in that outer dial. It kills my OCD quite badly.
Nice review and great looking ficus plant beside you 😉. I like the 38mm Murph since the original 42mm was too big on my tiny wrist. However, I'm not sure if I would get it since that one tiny but significant (Morse code) part that links it to the movie is missing. Hamilton could have put it on the case back if they wanted it to be differentiated from the 42mm. Or the real reason that they removed this direct linkage could be the rights or licensing issues (added costs). 🤔
I own the 42mm "Cooper" and love this piece. I've been apprehensive about picking up the Murph is 42mm but might take a look at the 38. I wish the 38 had the Morse code on the seconds hand like the original release.
Have the 42mm and enjoy wearing it. It has only 2 flaws and they only fixed one flaw on the reissue 38 while introducing 2 new flaws (no Eureka and too thick). Absolutely NO reason for the 38 to be any thicker than the 42. The clunky lowbeat movement on both is a shame. Seriously considering swapping the movement to a smoother highbeat 2824 or SW200 movement. A $700+ watch should have a 28.8k bph movement.
a huge power reserve is not needed on a no-date without screwdown crown. also extended range watches lose alot of accuracy at the bottom end of the range
It is preferable for a military field watch not to have bright lume. A field watch is for frontline troops not for those who serve in rear echelon areas. When on the frontlines, it's necessary not to give away your position at night. A subdued lume is a better choice for that. When watchmakers use lume that is not brilliant, they are staying true to the tradition of what a military watch should be: small profile, large numerals, and just enough lume to see at night, but not advertise your position to the enemy.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Join the discussion: www.watchcrunch.com/Max/posts/the-murph-38-has-competition-21219
Honestly? Its a forgettable watch from a company that does not move the needle for me personally.
My son is an Interstellar fan and since he saw the movie, he really fell in love with the Murph Hamilton, however he knew it was a big watch for his wrist, but he still was infatuated with it. I am glad I waited and I bought him the 38mm model and it fits his wrist just perfect! now he is in total bliss and enjoying it.
A very nice gift that will hopefully stay with him and be passed down later on. Congrats!
Nice dad
Same here, super glad they give us a 38mm
Awesome gift by dad
I like the fact that Hamilton listens to what the customers want. Same watch, smaller size.
The Murph 38 does have AR coating, the original 42 does not. Also the strap is clearly black, not dark brown.
Having seem them both in real life, I’d say the strap and face are both like 90% dark chocolate. Not quite black, but extremely dark brown
@@Hamsong Having it on my wrist currently and not being color blind, I would say both the face and strap on the murph 38 are black lol.
@@Hamsong I’ll definitely try and make the comparison myself if I get the chance! My wrist is a fairly slender 6.25inches and I air towards vintage sizing a lot so this might be the biggest I’d go. I have a Vaer bracelet which I believe will fit almost perfect coming in tomorrow to replace the strap. I also might get a dark brown leather strap in the future. So far I’m loving it! From PA so the Hamilton brand is awesome to me. I’m new to collecting watches and hope I have this for years to come / make good memories with it on my wrist.
@@jgo8305 Good to hear. I really wanted the original in 2020. I ordered it and when it arrived at the store, it totally hung off my wrist. I think my wrist is about 6.25” now, too… I have a 40mm Junghans with tiny lugs that looks great, and 38 with long lugs like the Murph would work nicely. I like that they did the exhibition back, too…
I have the murph38. No, it does not have any (or much) AR coating. Yes, the strap is black. Mine runs very well...about - 2 sec per day. Overall, it's a great watch for the price!!
I think the Murph is a more aesthetically pleasing watch with a lovely proportion. Lack of good AR non screw down crown and mediocre Lume are definitely off putting but the Hammy gets my vote between the two. Nice video Max.
I like both brands, but would pick the Murph. With no date window and don’t like 2 crowns on a watch case with the Seiko. Also like the long power reserve of the Murph.
@@simonlangmead7 I have an SPB197J1 alpinist and would pick it over the murph simply due to the far more intriguing and dynamic dial, applied indices, screw down crown, AR coating and value for money. That being said, I love interstellar so Ill be picking up the murph anyways lol
That's why I went for Longines spirit.
@@perma_bann its too thick though
Great video. Thank you. You make it sound as though there's no reason to spend the extra money on the Murph (over less expensive Hamilton field watches) unless your a big Interstellar fan. But from a design standpoint this 38 Murph is far superior to any other Khaki field offering and stands on its own, without reference to the film. Deleting the 24 hour markings on most Khaki field watches, thus creating more space around larger arabic numbers and deleting the Morse code preciousness on the second hand, gives this a clean handsome and more formal look than any ordinary Hamilton military field. The Murph is classic and clean, without the need for military or cinefile pretense.
💯 it stands on its own! The movie connection is a neat nostalgia, but it has zero bearing on Murph’s unique aesthetic.
Totally agree with everything you said. The dial on the Murph is VERY cool 😎
I picked this up 2 days ago, and I love it’s understated elegance on my 7” wrist. Yes, the AR isn’t the best. Yes, it doesn’t have a screw-down crown. Yes, I hate the strap. And yes, the polished bezel seems out of place on a field watch. You know what? I love it anyway, and you might too. Go try one on, and see if it ‘clicks’ with you. It’s simple and pure.
Shout out to my friends at Topper Jewelers in Burlingame, CA. 👋 You guys rock.
Love topper
correct Maxwell!
Wonderful video, sir. As informative as it is involved. Technically, the Alpinist comes out on top though with a score of 35.5, not 34.5.
As a Seiko alpinist owner... the internal rotating bezel is a novelty (never use day to day) and the original strap on the SPB121J1 just never broke in for me - just too tough. On the plus, swapping in a green leather strap (similar to you bronze Alpinist) is recommended and the SPB121J1 green dial is a joy to view on sunny days. My vote is for getting the 2 if budget permits - alpinist for day time, Smurf (small Murph) for the office and evening :) Would be a great 2-watch collection.
I will never understand why people hate the issued strap with the SPB121J1. The quick release clasp is superb, nice Seiko branding on the inside of the strap plus on the buckle, the color is very complimentary to the watchcase. The leather is comfortable and very durable, if it werent flimsier it wouldn't be useful as an explorer watch.
Thank for the video and the face to face with the Alpinist. One detail is way more important to me than it should be : the date window. I enjoy so much more à watch without date ! I think it is more daring, more symmetric, more classy. So my take would be the Hamilton.
Great video and points. Couldn't help but notice that with your ratings for the two watches, the alpinist actually added up to 35.5 which beat out the murph by .5 points, and not vice versa.
Too bad there's a date function
Well he changed the score of the Fit/Finish category saying it was a tie and both were 7s, then the Alpinist turned to an 8 when going into the Movement category. Kinda sloppy
Definitely 38mm Murph. Not just the movie, but superb legibility.
I think the Hamilton website says the 38mm has an AR coating. As someone who would be interested in the 42mm, it makes me a bit sad that they didn't update the design of the 42mm when they released the 38. Judging from pictures, the 38 also looks to have slightly whiter numbers on the dial.
At my age (67), the Murph black dial provides the backdrop for greater numeral/dial contrast so is easier on my eyes. It’s a less cluttered dial with no complications, and its plainjane appearance is just what I wanted. Clean and sturdy and can pass for a dress watch for a working class person such as myself, just by swapping out the leather strap to a bracelet on the weekends. I’ve only ever had Timex’s my whole life from the time my dad bought me my first watch when I was 10 and they have served me well, but I decided to take things up a few notches in terms of durability/flexibility/accuracy. I work with kids and need a watch that is super accurate since we’re on a strict time schedule and I find my iphone, awkward and distracting when trying stay abreast of the time. Thanks for the vid.
The simple military look of the Murph is its strength and often less is more. It's on my Wishlist. Great video I subscribed on the strength of this review. Thank you
Do you think the removal of 24 hour markings reduces the military look?
@ no I don’t think it removes the military look at all. It’s the perfect watch in my opinion
Never saw the movie but I just love the simple dial on the watch, so many of Hamilton’s watches seem to busy. To me the Murph reminds me of the Tudor Ranger at a 1/3 of the price. I have one on order🤗
Definitely the Hamilton. I just cannot stand cyclops date windows which is an immediate turn off of the Seiko.
Crystal glare on Murph vs shiny polished numerals on the Seiko: On an outdoor sunny day, those Seiko polished numerals will be very annoying, while the painted numerals on Murph retain their legibility even though you may need to adjust the angle a bit. Another point, I think this Seiko, like most watches actually, even when they boast, only has a single sided AR coating (usually interior), and don't have double sided AR coating (which is the only kind to trully remove glare) anyway. While the overall style is subjective, I believe the Murph style will appeal to a larger crowd then the green dialed Seiko with gold numerals. To be fair, I don't think these should be directly comparable, as one is a 3 hand time only watch, the other a time and date watch with a cyclops lens, which significantly ruins symmetry, while of course providing more functionality.
The Alpinist sarb017 is a beautiful watch in the sunshine. The unusual Green/gold looks fantastic.
Good call. I own a SARB017 Alpinist but still want the Murph 38:)
In my opinion the Murph looks way better than the Seiko… I bought the 42mm - Even though my wrist is a modest 6.6” my wrist has a shape which makes the size just about acceptable BUT now with the 38mm it will be replaced as it will be a much better fit… Just hope it will be just as accurate as my 42 which gains less than a second a day if worn 24/7 … The Murph is such a pretty and simple timepiece!
For me Murph is the perfect watch and fixes the problem I have with the Alpinist which is the date window (I HATE dates).
Just curious, why? I'm the complete opposite.
@@regulartower588 I just love a clean dial and often the case is that a wonderful dial is "ruined" for me with a date window - not always though, I do own a couple of watches with dates. I just dislike the way they usually do it. Lange&Sohne do awesome dates but in their cases that usually works and just adds to the style.
I strongly disagree that the Murph's connection to the movie is its only selling point above any standard Khaki.
For one, I have never seen Interstellar but the biggest draw to this watch for me was the unique aesthetic only found in this particular model. Cathedral hands are not used in the regular khakis and the dial layout is cleaner, the watch as a whole has a premium look to it that just isn't present in standard field watches.
Exactly
Great review 👍👍 I think the Baby Alpinist vs the Murph is the more compelling comparison. Both are amazing watched and I think it comes down to personal preference. On a side note, you can currently get the 38mm Murph at a 20% discount from ADs so both watches are at a similar price.
LOVE Interstellar. Would love to get my hands on a Murph!
I like your point about lug width affecting wearability. I disagree that it wears like the other watches in the khaki line. On a 6 3/8 inch wrist the lug to lug of the 38 mm Murph wears much better than the greater lug to lug on the 38 mm khaki mechanical or khaki automatics.
I have the Alpinist SPB155 and love it. A few seconds off per day, excellent waterproofing and beautiful on the wrist.
you say the Seiko has more attention to detail but when it comes to a field watch I appreciate simplisity and robustness as would be befiting for use in the military, Somtimes less is more .
I bought the Murph. It just looks a classic and was such a brilliant work of art that it was brought into existence by popular demand. It is extremely rare that something is created in this order and that says everything about it. The lack of lume and AR is a great shame but I'll forgive it for that.
I have both the alpinist and the murph. Both are pleasing to the eyes and perform well. Didn't think twice of buying either. My 2 cents, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever" :)
That opening montage was just way too good
Thank you for making high quality videos!Love AMZWATCH ’s watches
I have this watch - I believe the strap is actually calf skin made to imitate croc skin, it feels kinda cheap to me. Great video as per usual!
I think the alpinist is a great watch but the murph is special because of the movie tie in. If you haven’t seen/don’t like the movie I’m not sure if there’s anything else especially special about the murph. A good watch but a little boring. I love the film and of the two I’d definitely go for the murph myself
Lovely video as always thanks
Thank you!
I did not care about the Interstellar movie. Watched it once and will probable never watch it again. I like tthe 38 mm Murph though. Just wished it has AR coating and a regulator pin.
@@MrPleers Many are saying the Murph 38mm does have AR coating.
@@amgolfer3591 I watched some video's. If it has AR coating, it has very little of it. Still a lot of reflections.
@@MrPleers that appears to be true from what others are saying as well. Not a dealbreaker for me but I can see how it would put off many. Thanks for the clarification, Pascal.
I've just received murph 38mm, my first hamilton. What a great watch, perfect for my 6.75-inch wrist.
Your score addition screen at the end doesn’t add up the score for the seiko correctly.
I chose the Baby Alpinist on the bracelet over this one because of the Powermatic 80. I buy Swiss for the smoother sweep and quick date change.
I have both the Coop and Murph as I love the movie, pre-ordering the Murph with the tesseract box as soon as it was announced. I have a 7.5” wrist and am glad that I own the Murph rather than the Smurph as, for me, it has a closer connection to the film. Nonetheless, the smaller Murph is a gorgeous watch in its own right.
True, the 42 is the true movie watch
The Murph is basically buying a lunchbox with decals that didn't exist in the movie. It's not the same watch
Exactly Right!!!Eddie debeer!
@@didamnesia3575 😂 Hilarious comment! I love it how certain people can say something so succinctly, yet accurately. I cant stop chuckling. Cheers to that!
@@edteach3r thank you. Happy to have helped you laugh today
The "Murph" done right:
1) 39mm
2) 18 layers of internal A.R. coating
3) Seiko diver bright lume
4) +/- 2 per day for every unit, like Rolex
5) Eureka on seconds hand in MORSE code.
Haha nice👍
and cost USD 499 only
The lack of AR coating, the disappointing lume and lack of a regulator pin makes it a lesser watch for me. I did not care about the Interstellar movie. But I like the way it looks.
This guy is as real as fireplace behind him.
If it’s not a diving watch (who dives with fancy Swiss watches anyway?) it should not have a screw down crown. It’s so wonderful to be able to just wind your watch manually without having to first unscrew the crown, and then re-screw the crown carefully. I can’t stand or understand the obsession with screw down crowns on non diver watches. It’s 100m water resist, rain or swimming is not going to mess it up. But why would you swim in a leather strapped watch anyway?
I really like my alpinist. I think I will be picking up this watch as well.
The Murph is classier in my opinion, more elegant and doesn't have the same dedicated tool aesthetic of the Alpy. That being said, I own and love both!
Agreed about the glare on the crystal. So irritating it prevents me from buying it.
Okay, so here it is, Murph is classic three hand no date, cleaner dial, good enough water resistant (with 100 meters you can shower with it tbh!), no screw down crown (remember that screw down crown wears down sooner), and better sized. No contest in my opinion. Murph wins by a long shot.
Sorry, but when you pulled out that Seiko it made the Hamilton even more attractive. It is a far nicer looking watch.
i agree the Murph looks better than the Alpinist he pulled out, but the newer SPB121 is a much better looking Alpinist
Great review. I just can't decide between Hamilton H70455133 and Seiko SPB155J1. While Seiko SPB155J1 is available in India, Hamilton H70455133 is not. I hate it so much that I see both of them and then able to decide. If you had to, which one would you pick
Did anyone else notice the math not adding up correctly and saw that the seiko actually won by “0.5,” with a score of 35.5?
i would like to correct one thing regarding the AR coating for the murph 38. you mentioned it doesnt have an AR coating. yet as per the specs on the website it HAS AR coating
I do have that Alpinist, but the baby Alpinist in blue is now preferred to that one. As for Hamilton, they’ve never really gelled for me. I can’t put my finger on why though.
I like the Alpinist as well as Seiko watches ( have several). But I am very fond of Hamilton watches. I really like the Murph now it's available in the smaller size. I have the Khaki Field Automatic, but would consider selling it and stick with the Murph, which has sa bit more character (to my eyes, that is).
I calculated the scores myself multiple times. The Alpinist won by a margin with 35.5, the Murph scored 35. I love both watches, I have an Alpinist and the Murph is high on my next watch to get list, but yeah please double check your calculations and be honest.
7 1/2 inch wrist and I decided on the 42mm (just got it a few months ago. I found a 38 to be too small and the 42 to be just a tad too large. There’s no 40 so what are you gonna do? It may sound silly, but I chose the 42 because I wanted ‘Eureka’.
I like the comparison with the Alpinist. Also interesting to see how it compares with the Oris Big Pilot.
Hi Max,
A very good video, with a peculiar and interesting question.
Despite I have I Seiko Alpinist Blue ("Hodinkee"), which I really love, the Prospex Alpinist Sunbeam Forest Khaki with that yellow gold case would have been added to my collection if it wasn’t for the annoying “cyclops” magnifier, with the day date under a big white background. If Seiko had chosen a non date dial or, at list, a discreet date window with a green background, and without that ugly magnifier, it would have been a triumph.
Unfortunately, whereas the Murph has a sober and balanced dial that transmits harmony, the dial of the gold/green Seiko is completely unbalanced and, at least, to me, transmits a bad vibration, completely far from Zen tranquility. A pity because it had potential.
Kindest regards,
David
Love em both but I lean towards the Alpinist. I just love that green and gold combo.
I don't think a screw down crown should be a factor for fit and finish. You said it all with the Hamilton feeling more solid. It has better fit and finish. Screw down crown is a feature.
i love Hamilton. my first watch was a Hamilton my grandmother got me for graduating 8th grade. but i get into the Murph
Hi Max. Sorry to be the guy but I just need to point out that it's actually the Alpinist that wins using your scoring system - the total should be 35.5 not 34.5! Anyway, both great watches. I have a Hamilto Kaki auto in 38 and a SARB 017 Alpinist and I would choose the Seiko everyday over the Hammy. The Hammy is so difficult to read because of the reflective issue. As beautiful as the Murph is, that aspect would put me off.
They both got 7s on fit and finish, mistake on later slides but the totals are correct. the reflection is killer 😅
I have a baby alpinist and although the movement runs within spec, the 6R35 movement is way less accurate compared to the H-10 movement in my Khaki Field Auto. The alpinist gains about 15-20 seconds a day, while my Khaki gains 1 second a day. But I also have a murph 38 coming in, and soon I’ll find out if just got really lucky with the H-10 movement in my Khaki.
Maybe my 6R35 needs to be regulated, but the thing is, I can get it to run at +/-3 for about a minute if I wind it up a lot before testing. If I run the test for more than a minute I can see the watch start to gain time quickly, which is something the H-10 doesn’t do. I also have a seiko with a 6R15D and that one gains about + 6 or 7.
If you add up your scores, the Seiko gets 35.5, not 34.5. So the Seiko scores higher than the murph
Glad someone else caught this.
@@joshsavala6177 he also gave both watches a 7 on design and then switched the Seiko to an 8 lol
I like the original larger size that was made to incorporate the prop mechanism,had to have the engraved hands !
I bought the original Murph and though it is on the large size, as a film fan it didn’t bother me. I also got it with the limited edition tesseract case, which is neat.
Good video, but I am really sorry you cannot give less vote on History at the Seiko only due to the fact the Hamilton has a movie heritage although very recent. Seiko and Alpinist have a very interesting history far more interesting than the Murph 😉 Anyway good review I will cite It into my channel 😉 good work, 😏
I would choose the Murph on looks and superior movement in spite of the glare and without concern for the movie connection. The price is the main issue with it. A modern baby Alipinist would be a much closer decision though.
I would like to see them both in the flesh before making a decision as it's a close call. I have the larger Murph which does not have AR coating if I recall but it's still very readable but less so compared to many modern watches around. The thing about the Murph is it's a new watch that has been produced to look very old so maybe that's why Hamilton left off the AR coating at the expense of legibility. The lugs drop down a fair amount so although on paper they are long I find it comfortable on my little under 7" wrist. I love the look of the Alpinist though and it ticks many of the boxes and in a 1:1 feature fight wins by quite a margin, the date, water resistance and internal bezel. At the moment I doubt if I'll purchase either but maybe in the future who knows. Oh and Interstellar is a brilliant film in my humble opinion.
Nice you can get the 42 to fit! Definitely more movie accurate. Good point about being made to look old
Thanks for the review! Much appreciated. For me, the lack of an AR coating these days is just unacceptable IMHO. My (relatively) inexpensive Victorinox INOX has triple AR coating on the inside, and if they can do it, so can Hamilton. As well, I already have the Khaki field (and like it) but the lack of AR is such a disappointment.
Yeah it's really hard to see this watch outside on a sunny day
According to the Specs from Hamilton , and other reviews, the 38mm version does have AR coating
Yes, the 38mm version does indeed have AR.
@@sunj1339 I think they mistakenly applied a "reflective"coating
That is unfortunate, since legibility/AR on Hamilton's daydate pilot was acctualy pretty good.
I love the gold and green Alpinist. It is so appropriate to the concept. Wouldn't it also be cool if Grand Seiko teamed up with Seiko to do an exquisite white winter dial edition of the Alpinist?
I'm trying to choose between them wich one should I pick, I love how the Hamilton looks and wonder if it has good accuracy.
The lack of AR seems like a deal breaker at this price.
It is for me. Somehow black dials seem to make it worse.
@@MrPleers i had a tudor day date black dial years ago that turned into a mirror in the sun
The specs from Hamilton say it does have an AR coating....
@@derosa1989 In that case they used very, very little of it.
@@derosa1989 The Hamilton does have an AR coating but in person, it doesn't make a difference. The reflections are very prominent and the crystal has a very tinted hue which is not pleasant under natural or bright lights.
Maxyyyyyyyyyyy. What’s up man. I love the content my friend. I appreciate the growth as well. Remember, I was here in the beginning lol.
Maaaaan I’m still trying to find that breathing that you have or the speedmaster reduce with ghost bezel lol. Can you help? I’m ready this time lol.
Even if there wasn't a movie tie in, the watch is stunning. I'm not really a fan of the movie but I want the watch.
It's a good enough looking watch but the price premium over other Khaki models isn't worth it to me. I ordered a Seiko Alpinist SPB241J1 which arrived yesterday. It's as nice as I thought it would be. Admittedly it's more of a dress/daily but that's how I'll use it. I got a hefty discount which made it 2/3 the price of the Murph. As an aside, I had no idea how small the collars in the bracelet are! Fortunately I was ready for anything and didn't lose one.
Yeah if you are not a movie nut, the watch doesn't make sense
MURPH movement accuracy is amazing.
Why not swim with a push/pull crown and 100m of water resistance? This “conversation” still baffles me to this day.
I've had a friend flood his Hamilton khaki auto on a bike ride
@@WatchCrunchOfficial That model is also 100m of WR, or 50m? And was the crown pulled out? I’m always curious because I have a GS that is 100m WR with a push pull crown, and depending on who you talk to swimming with that configuration is either a complete no go or totally fine.
The Water Resistance ratings are done with static pressure in a controlled settings. In reality depth is only a part of the pressure exerted on the watch. As your hands goes through the swimming motion there’s dynamic pressure as well as pressure from the moving water. Water temperature and density and the how new the seals in the watch are also a factor. I am sure 100m or 50m is fine in all settings, but maybe 30m WR watches would be risky.
@@Andy-to7xu I understand all of that and agree. That’s why my comment was specifically geared towards the 100m WR watch in this review. Most people are don’t debate that a 100m WR watch with a screw down crown is safe. But as soon as you switch to push/pull it’s as tho 100m of WR is no longer suitable for swimming.
they are on the computer 24/7 and are idiots.
I just don't get the added cost of the Murph. My Khaki field is awesome for half the price. Maybe cuz I'm not a movie fan? Nice watch but it doesn't trip my trigger. Nice comparison with the Alpinist! One of my 'keepers' for sure.
This watch does have ar coating on it. Could use a couple extra layers imo. The domed sapphire makes it seem there's none though.
Hey ! Nice video thanks :)
What's the song in the intro ? Sounds great ?
thx
How is water resistance a “fit finish issue” (let alone an issue at all, with this type of watch).
I really liked how the Murph 38 looked on your wrist and I like a field watch with Full Numbers and a black dial. The 42mm sells for around £900 and can be picked up between £550 to £650 used so I'm going to let someone else buy the 38 then pick it up when they're bored with it. Great vid again Max and loved the Dylan Thomas in the intro
Good plan Morgan, seems they are making plenty of these. Cheers 🍻
I got the Murph 38 for £650 new. It’s fantastic. The strap wears horribly and is rigid and plasticky but I’ve put on a lovely dark brown leather and it looks really great
Be sure to very closely inspect any used Murph of either size as the bezel is easily banged up, dinged and scratched. I bought a second New Murph so I could wear one daily to be WABI and still have another mint one in the LE box. I got both discounted new. Getting an LE box version discounted is a feat.
Great video! not sure anyone else caught this, but i think the Alpinist scored 0.5 higher according to your scores!
Oh man the Murph all day. That Seiko is ok, but come on the watch was in Interstellar, in a scene that was sooooo iconic too. If you didn’t cry at that scene and the scenes after you are as soulless as that lume on the Seiko!!
It always amazes me how much beauty and precision are added to the parts of MaMaCoo 's watch 99% of people will never see.
It does have AR on the underside of the crystal.
It's not good then 😂
I really love the look of the 38 Murph. It needs a bracelet option, in my opinion.
you know this is a movie watch right? 😂
@@thewhutnow5795 yes...
Look no further! It’s out!
Has to be one of the best looking watches ever made in my opinion. I’d take this over any Rolex or AP anyday.
Nice watch.
Could not care less about if related with a movie or some real history, I just look at the design and specs.
The Hamilton has several problems, bad AR coating, poor lume, lack of screw down crown.
However I kind of prefer this dial Vs the normal khaki, don't like the dual marker (13/24h) nor the date window on the normal khaki
It's definitely not perfect
Finally someone with some common sense haha
I own the larger Murph and an Alpinist similar to the vid. They are not really competitors. The Murph for the story, and frankly I’m using a field khaki auto as my everyday… so I treat the Murph as an investment and bring it out for social settings. The Alpinist is just one everybody needs. I use it everywhere, outdoors, social… just when I want green/gold. It’s very true that the H movement is better. Better time, etc. both are calibrated to the extent they can be and the H is always perfect with the seiko adding a few seconds a day. Field watches come in all flavors. These have some history, but my Ranger is tool all the way and better than both. The explorer micros are also my style but don’t get a lot of wrist time. Lorier is dressy, smith has history, islander is white and a bit day date, Timex Titanium is just cool, even have a McGyver (again, just cool), Casios work when you know they’re going to get bashed about, and even my land tortoise fits in …the only cushion/Willard in my collection. So while I like them all, the Murph fits all settings, and is a great conversation piece. I’d only consider a 38 if I couldn’t pull off the bigger model, and I can. I get there are some small wrists. What an advantage! No need for custom straps or too short bracelets, but the trade off is, that I have a slightly larger wrist though I’m not a large person… genes I guess. Best of luck if you need a small version of anything but it’s supposed to be a watch with a story that didn’t exist. Try the 42 if you can live with 52 lug to lug
Hi great video, wondering if you would do a comparison between murph 38mm with the new Seiko alpinist GMT SPB379J1, I'm considering to get one of them for my first automatic watch. thanks!
Murph. Any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
I’d buy one tomorrow but my god the last thing on earth I need is another watch.
Alpinist loses for me because the outer dial isn't ratcheted which means a bump can rotate it off centre.
It also loses because when rotating it, there's a very slight movement vertically in that outer dial. It kills my OCD quite badly.
Nice review and great looking ficus plant beside you 😉. I like the 38mm Murph since the original 42mm was too big on my tiny wrist. However, I'm not sure if I would get it since that one tiny but significant (Morse code) part that links it to the movie is missing. Hamilton could have put it on the case back if they wanted it to be differentiated from the 42mm. Or the real reason that they removed this direct linkage could be the rights or licensing issues (added costs). 🤔
I own the 42mm "Cooper" and love this piece. I've been apprehensive about picking up the Murph is 42mm but might take a look at the 38. I wish the 38 had the Morse code on the seconds hand like the original release.
My question is, how do I stay crunchy? Do I preserve myself inside a Tupperware?
Murph over alpinist any hour of the day, twice at 12 o clock.
Have the 42mm and enjoy wearing it. It has only 2 flaws and they only fixed one flaw on the reissue 38 while introducing 2 new flaws (no Eureka and too thick). Absolutely NO reason for the 38 to be any thicker than the 42. The clunky lowbeat movement on both is a shame. Seriously considering swapping the movement to a smoother highbeat 2824 or SW200 movement.
A $700+ watch should have a 28.8k bph movement.
a huge power reserve is not needed on a no-date without screwdown crown. also extended range watches lose alot of accuracy at the bottom end of the range
I wanted to get this but I’m happy that I got my 36mm PRS29A which I find to be the perfect field watch for my 6.25” wrist.
That's a nice one. Though more of an IWC pilot style
It is preferable for a military field watch not to have bright lume. A field watch is for frontline troops not for those who serve in rear echelon areas. When on the frontlines, it's necessary not to give away your position at night. A subdued lume is a better choice for that. When watchmakers use lume that is not brilliant, they are staying true to the tradition of what a military watch should be: small profile, large numerals, and just enough lume to see at night, but not advertise your position to the enemy.
Oh very interesting!
Whats your recommend 38 & 42 for 7.5 inch wrist?
The face is much nicer than the Khaki Field Automatic.
So, What was the problem..?
It has serious competition from the alpinist
Which would I choose? I must have a date but cannot abide a cyclops, so neither.
I think the bigger problem is not the Alpinist, but that the 38 mm Khaki Field Automatic exists and costs about $450 even through some ADs.
Yeah the khaki auto is hard to beat if you don't care about the movie