The Hemel Hawkeye Chronograph / Long Island Watch Special Collaboration (Parchment White Dial)

by Brent Robillard

A Thoughtful, Spec-Driven Timepiece

If you’ve followed Marc Frankel of Long Island Watch for any length of time, you know he approaches watches with an engineer’s mindset—seeking out the best specs for the dollar. So, it comes as no surprise that his collaboration with Marvin Menke of Hemel Watches has resulted in a timepiece that delivers exactly that: the Hawkeye Chronograph in the HF Series Air Support Collection. With a striking parchment white dial, a full-lume treatment, and a thoughtful balance of vintage and modern influences, this watch is a compelling addition to any collection.

^{Hemel Hawkeye Chronograph @calibre321}

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Key Features of the Hawkeye Chronograph

Case, Bezel, and Finishing

The Hawkeye Chronograph features a 40mm stainless steel case with a predominance of polished surfaces, lending it a refined yet functional look. The finishing is clean and deliberate—with rounded chamfers along the lugs and sharp, slab-sided edges for just enough visual contrast. At 13mm thick, it maintains a presence without feeling overly bulky, and the 47mm lug-to-lug length ensures it remains wearable across a range of wrist sizes.

One of the standout elements of this piece is the ceramic dual-time bezel, which adds both versatility and durability. Ceramic bezels are usually found in higher-end timepieces, so its inclusion here is a testament to the value proposition at play. The 12-hour markings allow for tracking a second time zone—a useful function whether you’re traveling or just keeping tabs on a different part of the world. The bezel action is crisp and reassuring, striking a fine balance between firm resistance and ease of adjustment. It is 120 clicks and unidirectional.

Dial, Lume, and Crystal

The parchment white dial is a standout feature, offering a vintage-inspired warmth that sets it apart from more traditional stark white chronographs. The layout is well-executed, with clearly legible panda sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock, and a tiny pop of red in the minute register for just a touch of flair. The sword-style hands add a bit of historical aviation flair, while the dial itself remains uncluttered, prioritizing readability.

Of course, one of the most notable aspects of this version is its full-lume dial. In daylight, the parchment hue gives it a subtle aged character, but once the lights go down, it transforms into a torch. The generous application of luminous material ensures excellent legibility in low-light conditions—something that will undoubtedly appeal to those who appreciate a strong lume presence in their watches.

Protecting the dial is a domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, offering excellent scratch resistance and minimizing glare. The domed profile adds a slight distortion at the edges, reinforcing the vintage-inspired aesthetic without compromising readability.

Movement and Caseback

Powering the Hawkeye Chronograph is the Seagull ST19, a hand-wound column-wheel chronograph movement with a 40-hour power reserve. This movement has built a solid reputation over the years for its mechanical charm and satisfying tactile engagement when operating the chronograph. It’s also one of my personal favorites to look at, and the exhibition caseback here ensures that the ST19 is on full display. The blued screws, polished levers, and column-wheel mechanism make for an eye-catching mechanical show—something you simply don’t get with many modern automatic chronographs in this price range.

Wearability and Comfort

With its 40mm diameter, reasonable thickness and well-proportioned lug-to-lug length, the Hawkeye Chronograph wears comfortably. The case curvature helps it sit well on the wrist, and the choice of straps further enhances its versatility. The watch comes fitted with a high-quality leather strap that complements the dial’s vintage tones, but the 20mm lug width and quick-release spring bars also allow for easy strap changes, making it a strap monster in the best sense.

Specs

Case	316L Stainless Steel 40mm Diameter 47mm Lug to Lug 20mm Lug width 13mm Thick Unidirectional Ceramic Bezel Screw Down Case Back 100m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Domed Sapphire Crystal Full Lume Dial Sword Handset Bi-compax Registers Printed Indices BGW9 Super-LumiNova
Movement	ST19 /w Swan Neck Regulator 22 Jewels 21 600vph 45 Hours on a Full Wind
Strap	Stitched Black Leather /w Quick Release Spring Bars

Hemel Hawkeye Chronograph

Final Thoughts

Long Island Watch and Hemel have created something special with the Hawkeye Chronograph. It checks all the boxes for enthusiasts looking for a mechanical chronograph with vintage aviation influences, excellent legibility, and a well-regarded movement—all at an attainable price point. The inclusion of a ceramic bezel, sapphire crystal, and full-lume dial further underscores the strong value proposition at play here. For those who appreciate a spec-driven approach to watchmaking without sacrificing character, this collaboration is well worth considering.

Please note that black dial and orange bezel variants are also available.

Pricing & Availability

The Hemel Haweye Chronograph retails for $499USD ($732CAD). For more info, fly on over to the brand website.

About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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