With the premiere of Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch on Netflix, Hamilton extends its legacy beyond cinema and video games to enter the realm of adult animation. The series launched globally on October 14, 2025, marking the first time Ubisoft’s acclaimed stealth franchise has been adapted into an animated format. This collaboration places several Hamilton watches at the heart of an espionage thriller reuniting legendary operative Sam Fisher with a new generation of agents.
The watches behind the characters
The Ventura Quartz appears on the wrist of Zinnia McKenna, a young operative who seeks help from the legendary Sam Fisher during a high-stakes sequence. This unconventional timepiece, measuring 32×50 mm and made of stainless steel with a black dial and quartz movement, reflects McKenna’s defiance of expectations while operating in the shadows. Its distinctive triangular design, popularized by Elvis Presley in Blue Hawaii, now represents a new generation of field agents.
Sam Fisher himself wears two Hamilton icons throughout the series. The Khaki Field Expedition provides the precision and discretion necessary for covert operations. It features a 41mm stainless steel case, an H-10 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve, and a Nivachron™ spiral. The second, the Khaki Navy Frogman, offers 300 meters of water resistance in a robust 46mm case. Both timepieces embody the reliability under pressure that defines Fisher’s approach to fieldwork.
The Khaki Aviation X-Wind Sandstorm plays a crucial narrative role. This 45mm chronograph with a beige PVD coating and a camouflage dial conceals a secret that could reshape global geopolitics. It features an H-21-Si automatic movement with a silicon spiral and 60 hours of power reserve. The movement is housed beneath a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating.
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Hamilton’s storytelling heritage
The Pennsylvania-based watchmaker, founded in 1892, has appeared in over 500 films and television productions. The brand made its screen debut in the 1932 film Shanghai Express, starring Marlene Dietrich, and has maintained a relationship with Hollywood for nearly a century. Hamilton created custom pieces for Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar and Tenet, demonstrating how timepieces can enhance cinematic narratives.
Beyond traditional media, Hamilton was the first brand to integrate a timepiece into a video game, appearing in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Death Stranding 2. Hamilton was the first brand to feature a branded timepiece in a video game environment. This approach to cross-platform storytelling reflects Hamilton’s understanding that precision timekeeping and compelling narratives share fundamental connections.
The series details
Derek Kolstad, creator of the John Wick franchise, serves as lead writer and executive producer for Deathwatch. Liev Schreiber voices Sam Fisher, taking over from Michael Ironside, who portrayed the character in the original games. Kirby Howell-Baptiste voices Zinnia McKenna, and Janet Varney voices Anna Grímsdóttir. Sun Creature and Fost produced the eight-episode series under the direction of Guillaume Dousse.
The series follows an aging Fisher living in rural Poland after years in the shadows. When McKenna arrives at his door wounded following a failed mission, Fisher returns to action to confront a global conspiracy. The original Splinter Cell video game franchise launched in 2002, selling over 30 million copies worldwide and establishing Sam Fisher as a tactical espionage icon.
Adult animation growth
Adult animation is one of the fastest-growing entertainment genres globally. Hamilton’s entry into this format demonstrates the brand’s commitment to collaborating with storytellers across all platforms. The company maintains that precision watchmaking and narrative construction require similar attention to detail and timing.
Hamilton operates under the Swatch Group, combining American spirit with Swiss precision in its current collections. Hamilton contributed to railroad standardization in the late 1800s, supported aviation pioneers, and served American military personnel through multiple conflicts. Hamilton released the world’s first electric watch in 1957 and the first LED digital watch in 1970.
Authenticity in modern media
Product integration in entertainment requires more than visibility. The watches selected for Splinter Cell: Deathwatch reflect the characters’ traits and operational requirements rather than serving as simple accessories. McKenna’s Ventura signals her willingness to break conventions, and Fisher’s field and dive watches emphasize his practical, mission-focused mentality. The X-Wind Sandstorm becomes a plot device, transforming a timepiece into a narrative catalyst.
This approach aligns with Hamilton’s historical practice of designing watches for specific film requirements. Directors and prop masters select Hamilton timepieces for their historical accuracy and ability to develop characters through visual details. The brand’s presence spans decades of cinema, from military dramas to science fiction epics.
