Hamilton American Classic Boulton Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition Reference H13605130 - Futuristic Art, A Review (plus Video)

The Hamilton Watch brand has some of the most iconic designs in the watch industry. The Face2Face series (Version II & Version III which are in the collection), the Ventura Elvis, the Aviation X-Wind, the PSR, the ChronoMatic, the Aviation Takeoff and the Belowzero, among others have cultivated a strong following of watch collectors. The brand is also famous for having tie-ins with blockbuster movies with the brand's first on-screen appearance in the 1932 film Shanghai Express. In fact, the Hamilton watches has graced the silver screen in over 450 major feature films. As a result, over the last 93 years, Hamilton has become known as the movie brand, thanks to its close association with Hollywood productions.

 

For me, despite being part of the Swatch Group, Hamilton still has design independence and the innovative drive to create something different than the typical run-of-the-mill offerings by some of the brands in the group. 

In all honesty, my acquisition of this watch has nothing to do with it being a tie-in with the Death Stranding game franchise but more to the aggressive design.

Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

The video game industry has long surpassed the film industry in terms of revenue and cultural impact. It is estimated that the global video game market is worth over US$200 billion, which is about four times as big as the global box office. That’s why it only makes sense that Hamilton, a watchmaker famed for its close collaborations with the film industry, is now collaborating with the famous video game Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

This isn’t the first video game tie-in Hamilton’s ever done. In 2021, they created a special version of their Khaki Field Titanium, which appeared in Ubisoft’s Far Cry 6.

 

For the release, Hamilton worked with Hideo Kojima on a limited-edition watch that is also going to be found in the game. Using the rectangular Hamilton Boulton as a starting point, the Death Stranding watch is the product of a design process that involved art director Yoji Shinkawa creating a timepiece that can exist in both our reality and virtually in-game. Shinkawa said, “It took more than two years to design and develop the watch that appears in 'Death Stranding 2: On the Beach' in parallel with the production of the game. If it was just to appear in the game, we could have designed it freely. But we spent a lot of time on the design to make it into a product that actually functions as a watch while also conveying the atmosphere of the game, and after numerous discussions and trial and error with the designers at Hamilton, we were able to complete the product.”

The Watch

The Hamilton American Classic Boulton Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition (let's abbreviate it to The Watch) has an unusual case that is made out of titanium and coated with black PVD. It measures 36 mm wide and 48 mm long which makes it a rather large watch on the wrist. What is unusual about the case is that it features seven sapphire crystals: one primary viewing window flanked by two columns of three smaller windows arching down each side of the case. This gives the watch an unique three-dimensional quality, when viewing the dial from multiple angles and different windows. This 'openness' does help disguise somewhat the watch’s notable wrist presence. Despite the cage-like design for the front, the watch has a total thickness of 13.7 mm.

 

The dial, which has a matte central dial section flanked by grained edges which resemble sand on a beach. There are applied hour markers on the edge of the dial featuring a brushed finish with polished chamfers for some visual brilliance. Meanwhile, another set of hour markers painted in white lines can be found on a secondary inner ring. For ease of reference, the applied hour marker at 12:00 is painted in lacquered orange. In the center, the brand, logo and the word “AUTOMATIC” are printed in gray. The watch comes with skeletonised hours and minutes hands with an oversized orange seconds hand to provide contrast.

Overall, the watch looks futuristic but also like a timepiece that could have been designed in the 1970s.

 

Protecting the dial is the singular design feature that makes this watch unique. Despite the base design is part of Hamilton American Classic Boulton line, the main window design is just out-of-this-world. The curved top of the case features seven sapphire crystals. The first is a traditional curved rectilinear sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating that dominates dead-center. Meanwhile, both sides feature lattices that hold three sapphire crystals each. As a result, you get a unique side view of the dial that looks similar to how a typical stadium is designed.

 

The large crown is located at 3:00 and uses the pull-out/push-in system to engage the gears. Due to the size of the case itself, the crown looks 'normal' in size despite it having a width and height of 7.5 mm and 4.0 mm, respectively.

 

The case-back has a display window that has one of the largest expanse of crystal material relative to the rest of the solid case-back plate and features a decoration that mimics the a feature in the game. The back plate features each watch’s unique limited edition number and a few other details, such as the water resistance and the reference number. The caliber visible is Hamilton's H-10 automatic movement. This caliber is essentially an ETA C07.611 (Powermatic 80) based on the familiar ETA 2824. The frequency was reduced to 21,600 BPH, helping to improve the power reserve to 80 hours. Additionally, the Nivachron balance spring helps resist the effects of magnetic fields and temperature changes. 

The watch is paired with a wide bracelet. Although the lugs on the case is 21 mm but it has a special lug-end that enabled the 26 mm wide three-row titanium bracelet to blend seamlessly with the casing. The bracelet has a quick release lug-bar with sandblasted finish and black PVD coating. Coupled with a butterfly clasp, the setup create a package that that has an impressive wrist presence. In all honesty, it looks more like a jewelry bracelet (like a Cuban chain) than a watch.

The Wearing Experience

 

Wearing the Hamilton American Classic Boulton Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition is like strapping a piece of futuristic art to your wrist. Crafted from titanium, the watch feels lightweight despite its bold case size. The seven sapphire crystals create a dynamic play of light and shadow, giving the watch a striking, almost architectural presence.

The layered black dial, accented with a bit of vivid orange, adds a pop of color to the otherwise stealthy design. While the wide bracelet enhances its sci-fi aesthetic, it can feel a bit bulky, especially for smaller wrists. Still, the butterfly clasp and sandblasted finish offer a secure and refined fit.

Overall, it’s a statement piece. More than just a timekeeper, it’s a wearable tribute to Death Stranding 2’s techno-apocalyptic world. Ideal for fans of the game or anyone drawn to bold, unconventional design.

 

 

Specifications

Brand: Hamilton

Model: American Classic Boulton Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition 

Width: 36 mm

Height:13.7 mm

Lug-to-Lug Length: 48 mm

Lug Width: 21 mm 

Case Material: PVD-coated titanium in black

Water Resistance: 50 meters

Crystal(s): Seven (7) pieces of sapphire at the front and one on the back with AR protection

Dial: Black 

Strap: Broad-link case-matching titanium, bracelet 

Strap Reference: H6050000351

Buckle Type: Butterfly
Buckle Width: 28.5 mm

Movement: Calibre H-10, Powermatic 80 base, automatic 

Power Reserve: 80 hours 

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds 

Availability: From June 26th 2025, limited to 2,000 pieces 

MSRP: RM7,000

Vendor: Hang Thai Watch

Purchase Date: 24 June 2025

Purchase Price: RM5,950

Serial: #191

Warranty: Two (2) years

Photo Gallery