Hot Take: The New Hamilton Khaki Pilot Schott NYC

Today we’re reporting on a partnership between Hamilton and Schott NYC. About a month ago, I visited Hamilton’s HQ in Biel, Switzerland. They gave me a quick run-down on what was still to come for the brand this year. I saw some exciting watches, including this Khaki Pilot Schott NYC.

The watch is the result of a partnership between Hamilton and Schott NYC. A limited piece that pays tribute to the heritage of both brands and what bonds them together; the United States Armed Forces. To celebrate their shared history, they released a timepiece today. Both Hamilton and Schott were companies that supplied gear to the Armed Forces, namely watches and jackets, as well as other garments. Furthermore, both of them symbolize the American spirit in their own ways. As such, a partnership was inevitable, and its fruit is the Hamilton Khaki Pilot Schott NYC.

Hamilton Khaki Pilot Schott NYC

Schott is an American clothing brand hailing from New York. They’re over 100 years old, having been established in 1913. The company was founded by two brothers, Jack and Irving Schott, in New York City. They are pioneers in the clothing industry for many things. To name a few, Schott NYC was the first to put a zipper on a jacket. However, they’re probably most famous for being the originator of the classic motorcycle jacket, under the brand name Perfecto. It’s a sub-brand of Schott NYC and the creator of the double-breasted leather jacket that is now an iconic piece of clothing. Perfecto introduced its first motorcycle leather jacket in 1928. During the Second World War, they supplied naval peacoats to the US Navy. More importantly, many of the jackets air force pilots wore also came from Schott NYC. And this is how we arrive at Hamilton.

Collaboration

As you know, Hamilton supplied watches to several air forces, including the British (read about their re-edition of the classic W10 here) and the USAF. As such, both Hamilton and Schott NYC, in one way or another, were linked to the Armed Forces. But the similarity does not stop there. Hamilton prides itself on representing the “American Spirit.” Schott NYC also fits this description. The timepiece they selected to be the subject of their collaboration is the Hamilton Khaki Pilot, an archetypal pilot’s watch. It has a large 46mm case with polished and brushed parts. The khaki green dial is easily legible with large Super-LumiNova coated hands and Arabic numerals. Inside the Hamilton Khaki Pilot, Schott NYC is the Hamilton caliber H-30. We’re talking about an automatic movement with day-date indication, 25 jewels, and 80 hours of power reserve. You can admire the caliber through the display case back.

Final touch

While the watch itself comes from Hamilton, the strap and the pouch are the product of Schott NYC. They are no ordinary leather goods, though. They carefully selected top grain, aniline, lightweight steer hide leather to be the material for the strap. The same leather that the company uses to create its iconic leather flight jackets during the war and even today. We are talking about Federal Standard military color 30099 Earth Brown. Every Hamilton Khaki Pilot Schott NYC comes in a leather travel case. Schott NYC exclusively makes these for the watches, hand-sewn using traditional methods only. While the outside is leather, the cases are lined with plaid heavyweight brushed cotton to protect your timepiece from scratches. You will not have to worry about your watch while traveling with it as the thick outer leather case protects in wherever you put it.

1892

Hamilton only produces 1892 pieces of the Khaki Pilot Schott NYC. This is no accident. The number is a nod to the founding year of the brand. It is also the year of birth of Irving Schott, one of the founders of Schott NYC. While the timepiece itself is quite large and as such guys with smaller wrist might not be in the market for them, I’m sure they will sell out in a heartbeat. For one, the Hamilton Khaki Pilot Schott NYC is a lovely looking watch. The dial is easy to read, and the green with the brown leather strap is an awesome combo. And it’s a limited edition that always sells well. Lastly, Hamilton found a great partner in Schott NYC, another brand that genuinely represents a bit of Americanness.

If you wish to visit Hamilton’s website please click here.