Hamilton Khaki Flight Timer Air Zermatt Edition

Zermatt, very chic Swiss ski resort . This small village in the canton of Valais is a real postcard. Especially when snow fell in abundance and Christmas decorations illuminate the streets where cars are banned ...

Here, a nearby McDonald's with a retailer Vacheron Constantin which is just in front of the store of Moncler jackets . Here we wander on foot or electric carts . Here at 1,620 meters above sea level , it lies at the foot of the famous Matterhorn ( 4,478 meters), you know, the one that appears on the packaging of Toblerone ! Here , skiing and mountaineering are part of everyday ...

So there, the Hamilton brand has chosen to officially launch one of his latest creations . And of course , this village was not chosen at random . Indeed , Zermatt has a famous rescue team helicopter. Men desperate to help tourists, mountaineers and skiers injured or trapped in the mountains or the surrounding glaciers. Professionals able to intervene by - almost - all time and in the most dangerous conditions. It is with them that Hamilton decided to work .


For two years , the technical teams of the US- Swiss brand have worked together with the men of Air Zermatt to develop a true professional shows . It is not a simple partnership or a simple trade agreement leading to the creation of a timepiece that simply display a logo.

No, this Khaki Flight Timer Air Zermatt Edition has truly been developed to meet the needs of these rescuers air . For twenty-four months, many tests were performed on prototypes before arriving at the final version of this model (quartz movement ) which is a tool for aircraft and helicopter pilots .

What could be more logical than to celebrate the launch of this new model in altitude , facing the famous Matterhorn ( Matterhorn in German). Thus, in the morning, after a hearty breakfast , a small team of journalists warmly dressed soars to the heights .

At the end of Zermatt, a long corridor blockhouse style leads us to a 45 degrees tram. For ten minutes , in the dark, this " underground " leads us to a first level where we find the pure mountain air . The contrast is striking . After this long dark tube dug in the heart of the rock , the sky is azure blue , cloudless . The air is fresh . The pristine snow street rays of sun rising . Not a breath of wind. The picture is certainly lavish , but we are still far from our goal.


Indeed, from there , we must first take a cable car that takes us higher . Then another that leads us even higher. And yet a third that allows us to reach Hohtälli to 3274 meters. There remains more than to take before reaching the place to be the " newsroom " improvised nature, right in front of the Matterhorn .

Except that the season has just begun. The last cable has therefore not yet been put into service. Officials of the station must restart it , they are also trying to clean when we arrived. We will be the first to go this year after his last rotation in spring 2011.

After half an hour , the cable seems ready to go. We sit inside but the unit remains ice . The technician is unable to start the engine ... A half hour passed yet . The Hamilton team then plans to change the place of the press presentation. But finally, at the last moment , the machine is set in motion . The doors close , and winded , the cabin swings and sways on this last stretch . Net to stop after a fifty meters .

The station of the cable car is now behind us . And arrival , far ahead . And we 're stuck between the left and empty the vacuum line that gives us this side a fantastic view of the Matterhorn. It is always that, the view is amazing ! Despite his efforts, the technician cabin onboard with us, fails to reboot. Radio contact with the central management (local and gruff patois ) does not tell us much. Except that we are off!


The head of the cable decides to climb the ladder which gives access to the door leading to the roof. It checks the motor and cables but nothing works . We take this opportunity to ride our turn to take some pictures and a giant poster announcing the launch of the famous shows why we got so high. But after half an hour , we must get to the evidence. We are well and truly stuck ...

Admit that the situation is still funny ! Ironically ? Foot nose of fate? We ship to the summit to launch a watch for Air Zermatt rescue , and if that damn machine does not restart, it will perhaps be necessary to use their services to come to our rescue!

And this is ultimately what will be decided . Within minutes, a red and white helicopter appears behind a ridge. It is a moment in front of us , then resumed its flight. Two rescuers clinging to a rope move towards us. Our cabin doors open onto the vacuum to let them . Immediately, they ask who are the first volunteers want to find land ... through the air! A path often taken by Jean- Paul Belmondo, follower rides at the end of a cable, but less by watchmakers journalists.


Three brothers , two young women and a Swiss journalist , we spend the first . Rescuers harnachent us. A blue rope we hang red main cable as an umbilical cord , connects us to the Lama helicopter which is just above us.

The camera slowly rises and the rope tightens , we will have to leave the cabin and get caught up ... Suddenly, the empty and cold. Suddenly , it is raised by a high-powered strength. Suddenly you're on the mainland. Stunned have dared . Astonished that things happened so fast ; thirty seconds in the air. Drunk with joy, our harness is removed and immediately , the device restarts search for other journalists and the Hamilton team.

Of course , this adventure has been trumped by the watch brand in collaboration with Air Zermatt rescue . At no time the car was really stuck. And of course, just before we do hélitreuiller , we were warned that a " plan b " was possible for those who did not want to "take the air."


But this extraordinary experience shows the work done daily by these brave men , brave , fearless but if professionals who spend much of their time to save lives.

Hamilton 's latest creation has been designed and conceived for them. But will also be marketed in the same way for the general public . The first three copies of this new timepiece have been delivered on this occasion. And thereafter, each team member will receive his watch.

More specifically, the Khaki Flight Timer incorporates many features (stopwatch , GMT , countdown , etc.). Including a personalized book flight , capable of recording information on flights and 20 for each of them , up to 99 landings ( a handy function for all the drivers that must keep a logbook ) . The Khaki Flight Timer bears the logo of the company rescue and alpine transport on the bottom of the case and rubber bracelet .

Currently , Air Zermatt AG has more than 60 employees , including a pilot and a paramedic who recently received the " Award of Heroism " in Washington DC for rescuing three climbers on high peaks of Nepal. It is the highest helicopter rescue mission ever undertaken . This is the third time that a team of Air Zermatt rescue receives this title highly honorific.