Hands-On With Two New Colorways Of The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm
This June, Hamilton added two more colorways to its hit collection, the Khaki Field Mechanical. Jorg covered the release here on Fratello, but in the meantime, I have been able to go hands-on with the white and blue models. Consider this an impromptu follow-up to his introduction article.
What do these new Hamilton Khaki Fields look and feel like “in the metal”? What are they like to wear on a daily basis? And how do the colors work out in real life? I will do my best to answer all of these questions and more in this article. Let’s have a closer look!
The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm
First things first: a quick recap of what we have in front of us. The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm is an extremely popular hand-wound field watch. It is part of a comprehensive family of models in different sizes, with different movements, and in different colors. This is the smaller version, at 38mm across, although it is quite large-wearing. Subjectively, I would have estimated it to be around 40mm. This is largely due to the long lug-to-lug of 47mm and the simple design with a large dial and narrow bezel.
Inside ticks caliber H-50. This is a Hamilton-exclusive variant of the hand-winding ETA C07.701 with an 80-hour power reserve. These calibers feature a laser-regulated balance, so you cannot have your watchmaker adjust it. This version runs at 21,600 BPH and powers a central seconds hand.
The case measures 38mm across by 47mm in length and a slender 9.5mm thick. Up top, we find a mildly domed sapphire crystal. The case is closed by a screw-in case back. The crown is of the push-in type with manual winding in the neutral position. The entire package features a water resistance rating of 50 meters.
Initial Impressions of the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm
I have to admit I have limited prior experience with the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm. I have briefly handled several versions but never owned one. It is, however, one of those gateway watches. So many watch enthusiasts point at this or the Seiko SKX as their first mechanical watch. Naturally, I was eager to spend more time with the Hamilton to see what the fuss was about.
When handling the two new versions, the first word that sprung to mind was Spartan. These are markedly bare-bones watches, and that is a good thing. In true military-based field watch fashion, the design is simple and functional: a big, legible dial with 24-hour markings inside a regular hour track, a fully bead-blasted case, an oversized crown, and a simple syringe-style handset. There are no embellishments anywhere.
This, I think, is precisely why so many people like it. Hamilton stuck to the basics and got them right. The styling is faithful to the field watches used in the ‘60s, ’70s, and beyond. In this sense, it is one of the few classic designs available at the more entry-level price segment.
Wearing the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm
As mentioned before, the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm wears large for its diameter. However, it suits the watch very well. I found it very comfortable on my 17.5cm wrist. For your reference, the images show the watches on Jorg’s 18.5cm wrist. The relatively long lug-to-lug of 47mm provides a confident stance. The thinness of the case and the curved profile only add to the wearability, as does the nylon strap.
Speaking of the strap, I found this a good take on the NATO strap theme. It is a little bit shorter and capped off with a leather tip. This sits neatly on the outside of my wrist without the need to tuck it back in, as with longer NATOs. The tucked loop on the outside of the wrist can be overpowering on NATOs paired with thinner watches. There are no such issues here!
On the subjective matter of color
The above could all be applied to any Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm. The novelty of these watches is in their dial colors. So, what are they like in real life? Let me start with the white dial version. Actually, this dial color isn’t new at all. The only difference with the existing white dial is the lack of faux patina on the lume. The resulting dial is very, very white. I like it for its cleanliness and legibility. However, it can look a bit cheap in the wrong light, which is something pure white dials can suffer from in general, even very expensive ones.
The other new dial version has a very specific blue hue. It is a soft, imperial blue reminiscent of denim blue. Frankly, I would have loved to see this one sans the faux patina as well. The powdery beige makes the combination feel a bit contrived and artificial. I would not be surprised if the blue dial infatuates many people, but I think many will soon get bored with it. In this sense, the white dial is the more timeless option.
I write this with some trepidation, as this is such a subjective matter. In the end, the only thing that matters is your personal evaluation. Whatever you think of them, the additional options to choose from are always welcome.
Closing thoughts on the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm
These watches are very easy to like. They are rudimentary, to the point, and very comfortable on the wrist. Are they the last word in refinement? No, but they don’t aim to be. Unfortunately, €625 is a low amount in today’s watch market. It buys you a basic watch.
Still, what else would you want from a classical field watch? The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm remains true to the values of an old-school military field watch. If you want something fancy or luxurious, look elsewhere. In this sense, the Khaki Field does exactly as it says on the tin.
I definitely see why so many enthusiasts go for a Khaki Field. It feels like an honest and unpretentious watch. It is everything you need and nothing that you don’t. The new colors add width to an already comprehensive collection, which is always good. Now, you just have to figure out which is your favorite!
What do you think of the new Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm in white and blue? Let us know in the comments below.
