THE RESCUE HEROES OF AIR ZERMATT

At Hamilton, we are very proud of our reputation for Swiss precision. When it comes to aviation, our years of experience serving the flying community allows us to understand the importance of accuracy in flight. Timing becomes even more critical when the pilots and navigators are saving lives. The Air Zermatt team relies on our watches to help them time their rescues. It’s a serious business and we’re proud to have been chosen to support the team.

Since 2011, we have been on board as the official watch partner of Air Zermatt and we’ve had the privilege of learning more about what the team does and – more importantly – the difference they make to those in need.

Since the team was first established in 1968 with just one pilot, one mechanic and one helicopter, it has grown to become a symbol of speed and reliability when every second counts. The distinctive red and white helicopters are a welcome sight for those stranded or injured in some of the world’s most inhospitable territories. Now employing 75 people and operating a fleet of 10 helicopters from three heliports in the region around Zermatt, the team is regularly engaged for special transport as well as the essential rescue service.

A well-prepared rescue team relies on timing to make sure they are perfectly coordinated. Rescues can last anything from a few minutes to days and regular updates are needed. This is where Hamilton excels.

Our Khaki X-Wind collection is the gold standard when it comes to timing the skies. The Automatic Chronograph is packed with aviation features that a pilot and navigator need including the first ever drift angle calculator to appear in a watch. This allows pilots to accurately calculate how crosswinds can affect their journey. It’s a feature that is essential for the helicopter heroes of Air Zermatt.

At 45 mm, the Day Date Automatic from the Khaki X-Wind collection boasts superior readability thanks to its large Super-LumiNova® numerals and sporty hands. When a split second glance is all you have time for, this is an important feature.

Although advanced in terms of timing, we can still learn from the early pioneers of flight when it comes to design. The Air Zermatt team experience some of the same conditions as early pilots and navigators in open planes as they battle the elements in the mountains. The Khaki Pilot Day Date Automatic relies on modern elements such as sapphire crystal and a sturdy leather strap or metal bracelet. Measuring a clear 42 mm and powered by the exclusive H-40 automatic movement with 80-hour power reserve, these watches are reliable as well as readable and accurate.

Our time spent on board the Air Zermatt helicopters is always time well spent. We’re proud of our more than 100 year history of timing the skies and proud to be able to support the most famous mountain air rescue service in the world.