Polish-American Heritage Timepiece

The watch your dziadek would have worn.

The PolAm Hamtramck is an automatic dive watch built to honor the spirit of Polish immigrants who shaped America. Sapphire crystal, shark mesh, and a story engraved on every surface.

Buy Now — ~~$399~~ $359

While stock lasts

Shop on Etsy

Movement Seiko NH35A

Crystal AR Sapphire

Water Resistance 100m / 330ft

Case 316L Steel, 46mm

PolAm Hamtramck dive watch with Polish Eagle dial, red and white bezel, held in hand showing the Seiko NH35A automatic movement

Named after Hamtramck, Michigan, the neighborhood where Polish immigrants built new lives with old-world grit.

PolAm was born from a simple idea: the watch world has a thousand Submariner homages, but nothing for the 9 million Polish-Americans who carry their heritage with pride.

Creator Joe Wichowski designed the Hamtramck in one weekend, merging the best features from watches he admired. It needed to work with formal wear. It needed to handle the ocean. And it needed to tell a story that mattered to him.

The red and white of the Polish flag runs through every detail. The Polish Eagle sits on the dial and caseback. The word "Automatyczny" marks the movement. This isn't a watch with a logo slapped on. It's heritage, engineered into steel.

Built to Spec

24 jewels

Seiko NH35A automatic movement. Hacks, hand-winds, 41+ hour power reserve.

100m

Water resistant to 10 ATM. Beach to boardroom, certified waterproof.

46mm

316L surgical stainless steel case. The same grade used by Tag Heuer.

C3 lume

Super-Luminova on all hands and markers. Reads clear in any light.

AR coated

Domed sapphire crystal. Scratch-resistant with anti-reflective coating.

22mm

Shark mesh stainless bracelet with diver's clasp and engraved Polish Eagle.

One Watch. Two Worlds.

The Hamtramck bridges Polish tradition and American ambition. Available with or without the Polish Eagle on the dial, so you choose how loud you wear your heritage.

Shark Mesh, Not Leather

Joe chose shark mesh because rubber wouldn't do for formal wear, and leather wouldn't survive the ocean. The 4mm thick stainless mesh with micro-adjust clasp handles both.

Not a Homage. An Original.

While most microbrands chase Rolex silhouettes, PolAm built something that doesn't exist anywhere else: a heritage dive watch for the Polish diaspora.

From Kickstarter to Kitchen Table

The crowdfunding campaign didn't hit its goal. Joe funded production himself. Every watch ships from Wixom, Michigan, and every customer gets a personal follow-up.

Complete Specifications

The PolAm Hamtramck — Every Detail

Movement
Caliber	Seiko NH35A — Japanese automatic, self-winding
Jewels	24 jewels
Frequency	21,600 bph (6 beats per second)
Power Reserve	41+ hours
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds. Hacking seconds hand. Manual hand-winding.
Accuracy	-20/+40 seconds per day (within Seiko spec)
Case
Material	316L surgical-grade stainless steel — same alloy used by Tag Heuer and Omega
Diameter	46mm (including crown guards)
Thickness	~13mm
Caseback	Screw-down with engraved Polish Eagle and Polish proverb
Crown	Screw-down crown with Polish Eagle engraving
Water Resistance	100 meters / 330 feet / 10 ATM — suitable for swimming and recreational diving
Crystal
Type	Domed sapphire crystal — scratch-resistant (9 on Mohs hardness scale)
Coating	Anti-reflective (AR) coating on inner surface for maximum clarity
Dial & Hands
Dial Color	Deep black with Polish Eagle at 6 o'clock (optional variant without Eagle)
Luminescence	Super-Luminova C3 on all hands and hour markers
Bezel	Unidirectional rotating dive bezel with 120 clicks
Heritage Details	"Automatyczny" printed on dial. Polish red & white color accents throughout.
Bracelet
Type	Shark mesh — 4mm thick stainless steel weave
Width	22mm lug-to-lug
Clasp	Diver's fold-over clasp with micro-adjust and engraved Polish Eagle
Compatibility	Standard 22mm quick-release spring bars — swap to NATO, rubber, or leather
Origin
Designed In	Michigan, USA
Ships From	Wixom, Michigan
Warranty	Contact seller for warranty details

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Is this a real automatic movement?

Yes. The Seiko NH35A is one of the most respected automatic movements in the watch industry. It self-winds from your wrist movement, hacks (the second hand stops when setting the time), and can be hand-wound. No battery needed, ever.

Can I actually swim with it?

Absolutely. 100m water resistance means it handles swimming, snorkeling, and recreational water activities. The screw-down crown creates a watertight seal. Just don't press any buttons underwater or take it deep-sea diving.

Is 46mm too big for my wrist?

46mm is a bold presence, but the Hamtramck wears well due to the case shape and lug-to-lug distance. It's a dive watch — it's meant to be noticed. If you typically wear 40-42mm, this will feel substantial. If you're used to tool watches and divers, it'll feel right at home.

What does "Automatyczny" mean?

"Automatyczny" is Polish for "Automatic" — a nod to the self-winding movement inside. It's printed on the dial where most watches say "Automatic" in English. A small detail that means everything to someone who knows.

Can I swap the bracelet?

Yes. The Hamtramck uses standard 22mm quick-release spring bars. Swap to NATO, rubber, leather, or any 22mm strap. The shark mesh is the signature look, but the watch is yours to personalize.

Where can I buy one?

You can buy direct from PolAm for $359 (sale price, while stock lasts), or shop on Etsy. Every watch ships from Wixom, Michigan, and you'll hear from Joe personally after your order.

Heritage isn't something you display. It's something you wear.

The PolAm Hamtramck is more than a timepiece. It's a connection to the grandparents who crossed an ocean, the neighborhoods they built, and the pride that never faded.