IN-DEPTH: The Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Automatic collection upgrades one of the best-priced field watches around
Fergus NashEven if you’ve only been into watches for a short amount of time, the chances are pretty high that you’ve heard about the Hamilton Khaki Field. With 100 years experience of making watches for the military, Hamilton certainly know how to make an attractive, capable field watch that can handle everything from survival situations to a trip to the office with style. Bringing in two references made from titanium gave this model even greater modern appeal, while retaining all of its tool-watch charm. Now, the Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Automatic collection is filled out with an additional five references, spoiling us for choice in both colours and case size.
The dials
When it comes to tactical or field watches, simplicity is generally what manufacturers go for to give their watches the most utilitarian aesthetics possible. However, Hamilton aren’t a brand who are too stuck in past traditions. The Khaki Field Titanium Automatic actually has quite a lot going on in terms of detail, with the most obvious being the snail-trail section of engraving that sits behind the printed Arabic hour markers. This addition alone gives the watch an air of sophistication that other field watches in its class lack, making it a lot more versatile in smart-casual situations.
Of the five new references, there are four dial variations. The first is just the 38mm version of one of the original 42mm watches to have been released, with a matte black dial and orange highlights on the seconds hand tip, and 60-minute chapter ring markers.
The next special dial is perhaps to be expected in the current green-dial climate, but actually presents itself in a unique shade of khaki green that varies from jade to olive, yet avoiding the classic trope of dark military green. That verdant dial is well integrated with its features, as the off-white luminous paint in the Arabic numerals and hands gives the whole watch greater colour coherency. It’s available in both 38mm and 42mm sizes.
The next of the 38mm dials is definitely the outlier, with an incredibly stripped-back urban look that almost seems like the dial is made of concrete. The grey expanse loses the elegant ring behind the numerals that gives the dial a bit more breathing room, and almost makes it seem like a larger diameter. The blackened PVD-coated case further cements this watch as a definitely 21st century piece, with the yellowed luminous paint being more of an artistic choice than any indication of vintage inspiration.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the last addition to the 42mm collection is simply a delectable navy blue dial that’s sure to win over a lot of people with classic tastes in larger watches.
The cases
The cases are very familiar to anyone who’s browsed Hamilton watches before, with the Khaki Field Titanium Automatics very much taking after some popular sports watch styles from the 1960s and ‘70s. The relatively smooth curvature from the edge of the bezel towards the lugs with their neatly clipped tips is entirely brushed, killing some of the reflections that would otherwise make the watches feel far too dressy. Both case sizes of 38 and 42mm are less than 12mm in thickness, ensuring a great level of comfort on the wrist no matter which diameter you choose. Both sizes also use 20mm straps, so you can absolutely consider these watches strap monsters regardless of the colour. Of course, the cases are made from titanium which weighs significantly less than the usual stainless steel, and the effect can definitely be felt on-wrist. Plus, with 100m of water resistance, you can confidently take it swimming if you so desire.
The movements
Behind all those beautiful dials is an equally beautiful movement, the Hamilton H-10. This movement is legendary for being one of the first consumer-grade Swiss versions to bring a mammoth 80-hour power reserve to the masses, and it achieves this by essentially slowing down the beat rate of an ETA 2824. It also uses a Nivachron balance spring for additional performance and magnetic resistance. The only downside to the H-10 and its other Swatch Group cousins such as the Tissot Powermatic 80, is that these movements are regulated from the factory and can’t be adjusted by the average home hobbyist. The timekeeping ability for any mechanical watch can always be a lucky dip, but reports of poorly performing H-10s are substantially low enough for reassurance that you will most likely get a good one.
The verdict
The fact that Hamilton have expanded upon the Khaki Field Titanium Automatic collection in such a big way is a real sign that titanium watches are here to stay as a desirable material, and won’t disappear in a few years as with most trends. Its slightly darker grey tone and reduced weight works wonders for the feel of the watch, seemingly brooding more than the steel versions.
The black and green models in 38mm are $895 USD each, while the 38mm PVD watch is $945 USD along with the two 42mm references. These prices reflect Hamilton’s frankly frightening ability to produce high-quality Swiss watches at a level that most people can reasonably aspire to, without needing to sacrifice too much. Because of those prices, these watches are total heart-throb material for anyone in the market for an everyday or military-inspired field watch with an extra bit of zing.
Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Automatic pricing and availability:
| Model and Reference No. | Khaki Field Titanium Automatic –38mm: H70205860 and H70205830 (brushed titanium), H70215880 (PVD-coated); 42mm: H70545560, H70545540 (brushed titanium). |
| Case Material | Titanium |
| Water-Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Green, blue, black, grey |
| Strap | Khaki, brown or grey nubuck strap |
| Movement | H-10 |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Price | The black and green models in 38mm are $895 USD each, the 38mm PVD watch is $945 USD along with the two 42mm references. |
Time+Tide is an authorised retailer of Hamilton Watches for deliveries within Australia, please visit here. Should you wish to reserve the Field Titanium please email sales@