Hands-On With The New White-Dial Hamilton Khaki Field Murph 38mm
One of Hamilton’s biggest successes of recent years is the Khaki Field Murph. The watch became a fan favorite after it played a pivotal role in the 2014 blockbuster Interstellar. Then, in 2019, the Murph was released to the public in a 42mm version. Despite its great commercial success, most watch fans would have loved a smaller version of the watch. Hamilton made fans happy three years later by introducing a 38mm model, which showed that the design worked well in both sizes. But how would a version with a white dial be? I had the chance to find out in a hands-on experience with the new white-dial Hamilton Khaki Field Murph 38mm.
As die-hard movie fans will tell you, a modern remake of the original doesn’t often lead to better results. The same can also be said of modern remakes of classic watches. But what if a brand creates a different version of a popular watch? When I heard that Hamilton would release a white-dial version of the popular Murph, I had my reservations (and that’s putting it mildly). I am generally a bigger fan of black dials. Should anyone even want a Murph with a white dial? After wearing the watch for a few days, the answer to that question is a definite “yes!”
The story of the white-dial Hamilton Khaki Field Murph 38mm
I can already reveal that I like the new white-dial version of the Murph better than the 38mm black-dial model. Sure, it doesn’t have the same immediate link to Interstellar, but let me put it this way:
If I were a huge Interstellar fan, I would chase down one of the 42mm limited editions with the special packaging as a collector’s item and buy this white-dial version as the watch to wear. Coming from someone who prefers black dials 95% of the time, that might seem strange. Let me try to explain why that is the case.
Let’s recall the details of the smaller Khaki Field Murph. The watch has a 38mm stainless steel case with an 11.1mm thickness, a 44.7mm length, and a 20mm lug spacing.
This case is water resistant to 100 meters and features an oversized push-pull crown at 3 o’clock. Looking past numbers and dimensions, the round case has curvy lugs that give the watch a slightly classical presence. Also contributing to this is the polished bezel, which provides a nice contrast to the brushed case beneath. In addition, the watch comes with the same alligator-style black leather strap as the black-dial version.
The white dial looks nice and crisp
So far, there’s been nothing new here. The novel element is the white dial. The Hamilton designers decided only to change the color from black to crisp white and give it a nice, refined texture. The dial is contrasted by black numerals filled with vintage-inspired lume.
The minute scale is black and features additional numerals for every five minutes. Hovering above the dial are the stainless steel cathedral-style hands, which are also filled with the same beige lume.
I love how the white dial completely changes the presence of the watch. It feels more lively, and the combination of the yellowed lume and the white dial looks sharp. This crisp dial made me want to try the watch on different straps, which turned out to be a great idea. It showed the great versatility of the Murph.
The Hamilton H-10 movement
Inside the case, you will find the tried-and-true H-10 automatic caliber. It’s the Swatch Group’s modern ETA 2824-2 evolution. This 25-jewel caliber operates at 21,600vph and has a power reserve of 80 hours. Though it is quite conservatively finished, the movement does feature a customized Hamilton rotor for some extra visual attraction.
User reports state that the H-10 is a rather accurate movement, with most reviewers claiming accuracy within ±5 seconds per day. While anecdotal, those are pretty impressive numbers for this standard movement.
Wearing the Hamilton Khaki Field Murph 38mm
On the wrist is where the new white-dial Murph truly shines. As standard, the watch comes with a black leather strap with an embossed crocodile-scale pattern and a stainless steel buckle. Admittedly, I didn’t find this strap very pleasant. While it might look good, the quality is subpar. It’s a stiff strap that tends to fold rather than bend when you try to shape it.
Once on the wrist, it looks nice and adds to the watch’s classical presence, but it wasn’t impressive. This was probably the biggest letdown because we know that Hamilton has some awesome leather straps, such as the NATO strap for the bronze Khaki Field Mechanical models.
But with a convenient 20mm lug spacing, you have a ton of options for comfortable straps that will look fantastic. We fitted the watch with several Fratello suede and nubuck straps, and they gave it a completely different look. That’s how I truly fell in love with the new Murph. Changing straps perfectly shows how versatile this watch is.
You can use a colorful strap for more casual occasions or a nice dark leather strap to make it look chic and formal. With a dial that will pair well with any color, this Murph is a proper strap monster. In my opinion, that’s one of its greatest strengths.
Final thoughts on the Hamilton Khaki Field Murph 38mm
As you will understand by now, I love this new white-dial version of the Hamilton Khaki Field Murph 38mm. While the black-dial version has a story connected to Interstellar, I would enjoy wearing this version more. Combining the textured white dial with the vintage-inspired lume gives it a different presence.
While it still has the recognizable Murph design, the light colors give it a noticeably distinct vibe compared to the black-dial model. This makes it the perfect watch for a wide variety of straps.
Coming from a guy who will choose bracelets over straps any day of the week, that says something. I can easily see myself wearing this watch on 10–15 different straps. With that versatility also comes the 38mm diameter and 44.7mm lug-to-lug, which will make the watch look good on wrists of many sizes. Going back to the topic of bracelets, Hamilton also revealed the black-dial version of the 38mm Murph on a stainless steel bracelet. It’s a smart move, and I expect the brand to add that option to the white-dial version.
In conclusion, the new white-dial Murph is a great all-arounder for people looking for an affordable and stylish daily watch. At €995, this is one of the best options under €1,000. I must compliment Hamilton for releasing this brilliant new white-dial Khaki Field Murph 38mm. Knowing how popular the Murph is, I’m sure it will also be another big success with fans.
For more information, check out the official Hamilton website. Let us know in the comments section what your thoughts are on the new white-dial version of the Murph.
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