Hands-On With The New And Fun Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz In 33mm And 38mm Sizes
Hamilton’s Khaki Field collection is a true classic among watch enthusiasts, especially novices. There’s something for everyone, including watches with hand-wound, automatic, and quartz movements. Also, with prices ranging from €400 to €2,000, affordable options abound. Today, we’ll look at some new additions to the lower end of the collection’s price spectrum. The new Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz comes in four colors and is available in 33mm and 38mm cases. Get ready to resist your urge to get one.
Most watches in Hamilton’s Khaki Field collection have an automatic or hand-wound movement. Besides the ones we’re looking at today, the only other quartz watches available have a 40mm case, Arabic numerals from 1 to 24, and a date window at 3 o’clock. They also look more serious and are slightly more expensive at €575. So, without further ado, let’s check out these affordable, new, and fun Khaki Field Quartz watches.
The Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz in 33mm and 38mm sizes
If you’re familiar with Hamilton’s Mechanical (hand-wound) version of the Khaki Field, there won’t be many surprises here regarding the case shape and finishing. These 33mm and 38mm versions of the new Khaki Field Quartz models have cases shaped and finished very similarly to the Mechanical models. The cases are made of the same fully bead-blasted stainless steel and feature the same straightforward design with the angled bezel on top. I like that even these budget-friendly models feature a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
With an 8.3mm thickness and 45.5mm lug-to-lug, the 38mm case is a bit more compact than its mechanical sibling. The 33mm version is even slimmer at 7.55mm thick, and the lugs span 40.5mm from tip to tip. These watches’ extra-flat profiles will come in handy, especially when wearing either one on a double-pass NATO strap.
In contrast to the case, the dials of these new Khaki Field Quartz models look quite different. Whereas the Mechanical versions have a 24-hour setup, these Quartz ones only have big numerals from 1 to 11 and a triangle at 12 o’clock. Also, the chapter ring is now a closed train track, and in addition to the Hamilton logo at 12, there’s Khaki branding at 6 o’clock. This latter element has a very nice open font taken from earlier examples of the Khaki Field. The simple syringe-style handset is the same as in the Khaki Field Mechanical.
Available in black, blue, and white
Both sizes of the new Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz are available with a black, blue, or white dial. Regarding the black dial, you can even choose between two versions. One is more contemporary with a white minute track, white hands, and greenish lume for the hands and numerals. The other black version has a more yellow-colored lume to imitate the charming patina on many vintage watches.
That same kind of faux patina can be found on the white-dial version of the Khaki Field Quartz, which we didn’t receive for review. In addition, that version also gets black printing and black hands. The blue version is the cleanest, featuring white printing and matching white Super-LumiNova.
The “fauxtina” black and white versions come on an army-green NATO strap with three fixed brown keepers, while the blue version has a matching blue NATO strap and three matching keepers. Finally, the more contemporary black version comes with an all-black strap. In the case of the 33mm models, the straps are 18mm wide, and the 38mm versions each have a 20mm-wide strap. I have to say, it’s hard to pick a favorite. I’m usually not a big fan of faux patina, but it suits the Khaki Field so well. In the end, though, I think I’d go for the blue version because it looks the cleanest. In terms of price, Hamilton makes it simple as all versions, big or small, cost €440.
33mm size
The Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz on the wrist
When you put these Khaki Field Quartz models on your wrist, you’ll immediately notice how light they are. Especially when wearing them on the included NATO strap, weight-wise, the watches almost disappear. The 38mm version is the one I’d get for my 17cm wrist. It fits very well, and I like how big the crown is. It looks even bigger on the 33mm version than on the 38mm one. I also prefer this dial layout to the more cluttered design of the Khaki Field Mechanical. Once again, it feels cleaner, especially with the railroad-style minute track holding it all together.
38mm size
What surprised me is that all three keepers on the included straps are fixed. Usually, one isn’t, so you can adjust it according to how much strap you have left. In this case, you can’t, so Jorg, with his bigger wrist, was left with a piece of strap sticking out. On the other hand, the straps feel well made, and the fact that the keepers are made of leather is a nice touch.
38mm size
Final words
All in all, I think the new Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz can be a fun grab-and-go watch. With its 50m water resistance and sapphire crystal, it can take a beating, and you won’t have to think about winding or setting it. That makes it a very carefree option, and at the same time, it looks great with its typical field-watch design. At €440, the Khaki Field Quartz doesn’t break the bank, and I think it’s a great watch to have lying around.
For more information, check out the official Hamilton website.
Let me know in the comments below what you think of the new Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz models.
