It’s not just the Khaki Field at Hamilton! Besides this iconic model highly appreciated by fans of military-inspired watches, the brand expands its collection with a new line called Khaki Aviation Pilot.
Offered with a 36 or 42 mm case, this watch allows Hamilton to once again reconcile “adventure and precision”. All with a good dose of style, of course!
Hamilton’s long history with the pilots
You are regularly reminded that Hamilton maintains very close ties with the world of cinema. And it’s true that from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Interstellar, through Men in Black or Dune 2, the brand born in Lancaster is a screen star.
But long before conquering Hollywood, it was on the East Coast of the United States where Hamilton watches gained their reputation. And preferably in the air, rather than on film sets. Indeed, as early as 1918, these timepieces were used to time the first flight of the American Air Mail between New York and Washington, D.C.
In the following years, aviation pioneers regularly trusted Hamilton to accompany them on their adventures, like Richard E. Byrd in 1926, when he set out to fly over the North Pole. In the 1930s, four major airlines chose the Pennsylvania firm to time the first regular trans-American line connecting New York to San Francisco.
And since the brand is now based in Switzerland, in Bienne (and belongs to the Swatch Group), it also equips mountain rescue teams in the Alps, notably the pilots of Air Zermatt and then Air Glaciers. Claiming to be “at the service of the aeronautical sector for over a century”, Hamilton has thus developed numerous aviators’ watches including the Khaki Converter and the X-Wind. The new Khaki Aviation Pilot that we’ve discovered today thus continues this fine tradition with a style of its own.
A toolwatch comfortable on all terrains
If the new Khaki Aviation Pilot watches are inspired by aviation, they will be able to accompany you in all your daily adventures. Hamilton has thus imagined no less than 4 watches of 36 mm and 3 references of 42 mm for the launch of the range, with various dial colours and several bracelet models.
To get a grip of this collection, we first discover the “small” 36mm watch. Ideal for small wrists, it features a dark blue dial here “which recalls the spectacle of a clear night sky from the cockpit”. Far from the robust and massive aspect of some pilot’s watches, this Khaki Aviation shines with its elegance. The oversized numbers and the Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 coating (which provides a longer-lasting brightness) also remind us that this model is as suited to aerial journeys as it is to excursions on terra firma.
Long-haul flights will not be a problem either, since the well-known automatic H-10 movement is in play. Equipped with a Nivachron spiral, it has a power reserve of about 80 hours.
If we find the same technical characteristics on the 42 mm version, this one offers a radically different face. And not only because of its size. Our test model bets on a more adventurous look, through the alliance of an olive green dial and a brown leather strap with H buckle. This last element may seem anecdotal but clearly contributes to the charm of this Khaki Aviation Pilot. The additional 6 millimeters in diameter allow the addition of a day/date window on the dial, which remains perfectly legible.
The complete features of the watch
| Case | Stainless steel 36 or 42 mm in diameter ; 11.5 or 12.1 mm of thickness Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment Transparent back Water resistance up to 10 bar / 100m |
|---|---|
| Dial | Black, green, blue or silver dial Luminous indices and hands with Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 coating Day/date window on the 42 mm watch |
| Strap | 3 row steel bracelet with deploying clasp Leather strap with H buckle |
| Movement | Automatic winding mechanical movement H-10 / H-30 with Nivachron spiral Power reserve: 80 hours |
| Recommended Retail Price | between 1075 and 1155 euros |
In summary, our opinion on the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot watch
Showcasing originality in proposing a new aviator’s watch seems to be an impossible task. Indeed, Hamilton remains very traditional in its proposal. However, the brand manages to reinvent itself with elegance, with a watch that is both more streamlined than a Converter and more streamlined than a Pioneer (to stay within the Khaki Aviation collection).
In terms of style, there’s something for everyone, with the 36 mm version with bracelet resembling a dress watch to be worn with a suit, while its “big sister” of 42 mm plays the adventurer and will allow you to go for the total look with a leather pilot jacket and a pair of aviator glasses!
Offered between 1075 and 1155€ depending on the model chosen, the new Khaki Aviation Pilot offers very good value for money and provides an excellent balance in the accessible luxury market.
