The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono in blue
Fergus Nash- The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono is now available with a blue sunburst dial.
- The slide rule bezel can be used for all kinds of calculations, including various conversions and tipping percentages.
- At 44mm x 53mm, it’s not afraid to embrace size.
Sometimes the most important aspect of a watch is its ability to be subtle, demure, and borderline invisible. That might be true of a traditional dress watch, however it couldn’t be further from the goal when you’re talking about an all-out pilot’s watch with crammed-in utility. The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono takes its cues from design classics of watchmaking, and repackages them within their Khaki language. Previously available in black and some limited editions, the Aviation Converter Auto Chrono is now brusque in blue.
Following in the footsteps of some of the original pilot’s watches, the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono is quite the beast of a watch. They were initially designed to be read in low light and often strapped overtop of a leather flight jacket, so the bigger the better. As pilots kept wearing their watches after their duties, the style caught on and the bold wrist presence of a large timepiece was seen as impressive. At 44mm in diameter, the Hamilton doesn’t shy away from size, but nor is it ridiculous. The lug-to-lug length is approximately 53mm, which will fit larger wrists well or give you the overhang look you may be after. The thickness is 14.6mm, which considering the automatic chronograph movement and 100m water resistance isn’t too bad at all.
The case finishing is largely brushed with slender polished chamfers, which backs up the dial’s style of refined utility. Within the polished bezel is a slide rule insert, pioneered as a backup instrument for pilots. Used for its intended purpose, you can calculate a conversion between kilometres and miles, Fahrenheit to Celsius, basic multiplication, as well as percentages if you’re feeling generous with a dinner bill. It will take some time with a manual for it to become natural, however, whether you’re going to put the effort in or not, the apparent complexity makes for a captivating watch. The dial, in it varying shades and gradients of blue, also includes a tachymeter, chronometer totalisers, and a day/date display.
Powering the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono is the calibre H-21-Si, which under the Swatch Group umbrella is an upgraded ETA 7750 with a silicon balance spring for anti-magnetism and reliability. It boasts a 60 hour power reserve and a smooth 4Hz beat rate, as well as a Hamilton-etched rotor that’s visible through the sapphire display caseback. It’s available either with a brown leather strap in a vintage style, or a stainless-steel bracelet with female end links for better draping on the wrist. Should you wish to play around with aftermarket straps, the 22mm lug width gives you a lot of options.
The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono pricing and availability:
The new Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono in blue is available now at Hamilton authorised retailers. For Australian residents please email [email protected] for further details. Price: AU$3,275 (Leather strap) / AU$3,425 (Bracelet)
| Brand | Hamilton |
| Model | Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono |
| Case Dimensions | 44mm x 53mm x 14.6mm |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Blue |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap | Brown leather or steel bracelet |
| Movement | H-21-Si |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | AU$3,275 (Leather strap) / AU$3,425 (Bracelet) |