Hager Watches was founded in 2009 by Pierre Brown, or as he likes to be called, Pete. Their first model was the Commando series, which was a Mil-Sub homage with a Seagull auto and came in around $260. It was a nice enough replica watch, and a good entry point for the brand.
But the Commando Professional series is definitely a step up for the brand, and a much higher quality replica watch, with a HGR 52 movement (Miyota 9015) and the GMT version, which uses a HGR 60 movement (based on the ETA 2836).
Hager has a few variations of the Professional Commando, a 3-hand diver and a gmt complication, all available in either stainless steel or DLC finish, and two different bezel options, black or blue ceramic.
With a price of $600 for the stainless 3 hand, and the highest being the DLC GMT being $800, they are not the cheapest micro brand replica watches out there, but are not out of line with their prices either, as they are in the same range as many other micro brands using the same movements.
The focus of this review will be the new blue ceramic bezel versions, most notably the 3-hand model, but I take a look at all variations and show many photos of each.
Here is a video of the Commando Professional for an HD look:
Commando Professional Full Specifications:
- Stainless steel or DLC coated
- Case Width: 42mm
- Case Height: 14.5mm
- Case Length: 50mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Crystal: Domed Sapphire
- Bezel: 120 click with Ceramic with inset lume paint
- WR: 200 meters
- Price: Current pricing for blue bezel models is $50 off for a limited time, making the 3 hand $550 and the GMT version $650. DLC versions are $650 and $750 respectively. Black bezel versions will be $50 more.
Many who follow my reviews know I do not pull any punches, and because of that, there’s no denying that these models are more or less an homage, kind of a combination of a vintage Rolex or Tudor, but with sword style hands. It also utilizes an Omega PO style clasp. Now, I know some do not like homages, and that is fine, as there’s so many types of replica watches these days, there’s something for everyone. But homages do have their place, or brands like Raven (which I compare this Hager to a lot in terms of look) and Steinhart, just to name a few, would not be so popular.
With that said, how well does the Hager Commando Professional compete with other micro brands?
Read on as I discuss the new blue ceramic 3 hand and talk about the GMT model as well.
If you like funky packaging, the Hager Commando Professional comes in a plastic scuba tank, something that Citizen used to do with their Aqualand series (not sure if they still do). I am more of a fan of functional cases, say like a travel case, but if you get a lot of replica watches and like packaging that stands out, this would be it.
The 42mm case comes in either all stainless steel or a DLC coated version, and both have a combination of brushed and polished finishes. (Polished case sides and crown, polished bezel, brushed top of case, brushed middle of bracelet, polished outer links).
The dials are a matte greyish/blue, but can look grey in some light and black in others, and this is true for all the variations of the Commando. Broad sword arrow and minute hands with a lume circle dot on the second hand provide the time, while large chrome applied markers filled with generous amounts of lume paint help to complete the dial. The date is located between the 4 and 5 o’clock markers, which allows their to be a full size marker at the 3 o’clock position. For the GMT, of course you have an extra hand that you can set for your second time zone, and it is a blue stem with a large luminous triangle outlined in red, for easy readability.
The crown functions well on both variations, no wobble or scratchiness and is easy to screw out and back in. The bezel of course is a little different between the 3 hand and GMT versions of course, with the 3 hand having your basic dive bezel, and the GMT having the 24 hour bezel. All variations have a ceramic insert, and the markers and numbers are lumed as well. I did find the bezel somewhat difficult to grasp and turn, as it is not raised far off the case. The teeth of the bezel are pretty grippy, so if you get a good grasp on it, you should be able to make do.
When it comes to case finishing, all models are done very well, but I will admit that the coating between the links of the DLC models can be a little bit better. It appears that the links were not coated individually, rather they were done after assembly, or that is how it looks to me. I could be wrong. You will not see any stainless steel between the links, at least not on the models I was sent, but I did see the rainbow effect on most of the inside links, where it shows that it was not evenly coated all the way.
Speaking of assembly, maybe now is a good time to discuss where Hager Watches are manufactured. I am told that the replica watches are produced with parts from various factories, some in China, some in Switzerland, and other countries and all shipped to be assembled in Hagerstown Maryland. So, yes, while the replica watch parts are manufactured elsewhere, they are put together in the USA.
Another thing I would like to talk about would be the movements used. The 3-hand variations use the Miyota 9015 movement, which I think most are familiar with at this point, as many micro brands use them, and many we have reviewed here. They have branded it the HGR 52. The GMT uses a movement they call the HGR 60. Now, it is based off the ETA 2836, but ETA does not make a GMT function for that movement. Hager worked with a third party in Switzerland to procure a base movement, and other parts to make this movement. From their own words, they could probably have listed it is a Swiss movement, but they would rather be upfront and transparent about it.
The bracelet is very nice, and the links are nice and solid with a good heft to them. The replica watch itself is quite hefty at 229 grams unsized, and this is due to the fact that is should easily fit up to a 9 inch wrist with all the links. I myself sized one of them down to fit my 7 ½ inch wrist, and took out 6 links! The clasp is very reminiscent of the Omega PO clasp and locks in place securely and you deploy it using the two buttons. I talk about it in the video, but another nice feature is the way the last link before the clasp has a space cut out to allow the clasp to sit in this space, so you will never have to worry about scratch marks from your clasp on the links. There’s one drawback to this clasp though, it does not have any micro adjustments, and the bracelet does not have any half links, so it might prove getting the perfect fit a little difficult. Fortunately that was not an issue for my wrist size. I think it would have been nice, at this price point to see another strap thrown in as well, like a Cuda or other type of rubber strap. This would allow people to have a choice, and also for some that might not be able to a get a good fit with the bracelet, not have to search for aftermarket options.
The lume on the dial and hands is very bright and long lasting; bezel lume is a little lacking though. I’ve seen this on a few dive replica watches lately, and it’s just a matter of not enough lume paint being applied to the bezel. While it is not a huge issue for me personally, and the bezel does lume up, it is just weaker than the rest and needs to be pointed out.
I really have grown fond of the Hager Commando Professional though, in both size and quality. With the brushed and polished finishes it has an upscale look, although I do prefer and all brushed finish for a tool diver. If I were to compare this replica watch with other brands, I would say these easily compare to a Christopher Ward C60 or a Raven Vintage, in style, movement choice and price. And if you like a domed sapphire crystal and a ceramic bezel, the Hager might even have a step up on them. Is there a place for the Hager Commando Professional in the replica watch world? I think so. Overall they are very well made replica watches, with all the bells and whistles we usually look for. The blue ceramic on the DLC 3 hand is my favorite of the bunch, just because I like the cleaner dial, and the contrast of the dark DLC and medium blue bezel.
Thank you to Hager Watches for allowing us to have all these models for the past few weeks to check out and review and you can see all the variations of the collection here at the Hager Website: HERE.
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