Once you find out about Hamilton's new Khaki Field Expedition, you'll want one!

Hamilton released the Khaki Field Expedition in the fall of 2023. Its appearance is significantly different from the existing Khaki Field collection, overturning its image as a military watch from its origins. Let's unravel the appeal of this watch, which was born as a more modern "adventure watch."

The Khaki Field embodies Hamilton's history

　Hamilton is a long-established brand founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA in 1892. Now based in Switzerland, it continues to produce high-quality watches as part of the Swatch Group. Hamilton's history is closely intertwined with the history of the development of human society.

　The company's founding coincided with a period of remarkable industrial growth in the United States. This led to a rise in demand for the transportation of parts and products by rail. The company produced high-precision pocket watches that helped trains operate punctually, supporting the expansion of the railroad network.

　As the aviation industry developed, the company's pilot watches were adopted as the official timepieces for regular U.S. mail service in 1918. Furthermore, in the mid-20th century, with the advancement of electronics technology, the company demonstrated its innovation by developing the world's first battery-powered wristwatch, the "Ventura," and the light-emitting diode digital watch, the "Hamilton Pulsar."

　In its illustrious history, what really brought the reliability of the company's watches to the forefront was its involvement as the official watch supplier to the U.S. military, which began in 17. Hamilton's watches, which maintained high accuracy even in the harsh conditions of the battlefield, replaced the pocket watches that had been used up until then, enabling more tactical operations.

　During World War II in 1942, the company temporarily stopped producing watches for general use in order to supply the U.S. military with a huge number of wristwatches. Between then and 1945, the company delivered over one million watches, including wristwatches and marine chronometers. What's amazing is that, despite delivering such a large number of watches, it was able to meet the strict requirements of the military. In recognition of this and other achievements, the company has received the Army-Navy 'E' Award five times, which is given to companies that have demonstrated outstanding productivity.

　The Khaki Field collection reflects this military watch's history. Its signature piece is the Khaki Field Meca, a hand-wound mechanical model reminiscent of the original. It gained popularity in Italy in the 80s, when mechanical watches were experiencing a resurgence in popularity, and has been a long-selling model that has undergone numerous updates. The current model features vintage-style cream-colored Super-LumiNova and a movement with a power reserve of approximately 80 hours.

The stage shifts from "military" to "adventure." New "Khaki Field Expedition"

　Military watches, not just Hamilton watches, remain a genre that enjoys enduring popularity. Specializing in the single purpose of providing accurate timekeeping to the wearer in the extreme conditions of the battlefield, military watches are stripped of unnecessary ornamentation while still providing the basic performance required of a practical watch, such as visibility, legibility, durability, and water resistance, at a sufficient level. Their stoic, muscular appearance exemplifies the ideal form of a timekeeping device, capturing the hearts of watch enthusiasts.

　Then, in the fall of 2023, Hamilton released the even more evolved Khaki Field Expedition. This model represents the evolution of a military watch into an adventure watch. The simple and rugged impression has been toned down, and the watch has been reborn as a sophisticated sports watch that can accompany you through active scenes.

　The watch is available in three dial colors: black, white, and blue. The black version is paired with a stainless steel bracelet or a green leather strap, while the white version is paired with a dark brown leather strap, and the blue version is paired with a light brown leather strap.

　In addition, the lineup includes two case sizes: 37mm and 41mm in diameter. The smaller 37mm case is easy to wear for both men and women, while the 41mm case offers better visibility. It's nice to be able to choose the one that suits your taste from multiple options.

A modernized exterior while retaining the essence of military style.

　The Khaki Field Expedition is full of highlights. First, let's take a look at its exterior. The redesigned case is made of sturdy stainless steel. Previous Khaki Field models had long lugs that were connected by a sharply tapered line from the side of the case. However, this model has been modified to have a more condensed form by graduating the slope and shortening the lugs. This makes the watch fit better on the wrist and enhances the wearing experience.

　The case is uniformly satin-finished. While some existing models have a sandblasted finish that emphasizes a military feel, this satin-finished model gives a more stylish impression.

　We also appreciate the fact that the thickness is kept to a minimum despite the substantial rotating bezel. The 37mm case is 10.45mm thick, while the 41mm case model is 11.5mm thick, making it both robust and easy to handle. On an adventure, you can't afford to be distracted by your wrists. A watch with excessive bulk not only puts strain on your wrist, but can also be prone to being accidentally knocked against rocks and potentially damaging the watch.

　The dial, which does not have a date display, is lined with rounded Arabic numerals, reminiscent of the popular Khaki Field Murph. The 24-hour display has been omitted, resulting in a simpler and more sophisticated design.

　The combination of the clearly different arrow-shaped hour hand and pencil-shaped minute hand prevents misreading, and the hour, minute, and second hands, as well as the minute markers every five minutes, are coated with Super-LumiNova to improve visibility in the dark. The dial, which allows you to read the time with just a glance, is undoubtedly a feature inherited from military watches.

　The stainless steel bracelet is a three-link type with a uniform satin finish. Each link is rounded to ensure a wide range of movement and provide a smooth feel. The buckle, made of a thick plate, is also sturdy. The push button allows for quick and secure opening and closing.

　For those seeking a lighter feel, leather straps are a good choice. The thick strap and classic pin buckle provide firm support for the sturdy case. Both the 37mm and 41mm cases feature a popular 20mm lug width. Hamilton offers straps in a variety of materials and colors, from elegant embossed calf leather to NATO styles and fabric straps. Buying multiple straps allows you to enjoy switching them out to suit your mood or the occasion.

Updated toughness for adventure

　The main feature that makes this an adventure watch is the compass bezel, a first for the company. The outer periphery of the bezel has anti-slip grooves and can be rotated in both directions with a moderate click feeling.

　It's easy to use. First, hold the watch horizontally and point the hour hand toward the sun. Next, rotate the bezel and align "S (South)" halfway between 12 o'clock and the hour hand. Then, read the bezel to determine your approximate direction. The midpoint between 12 o'clock and the hour hand is taken from the left half of the dial for morning, and the right half for afternoon. Also, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere, you need to align the point between 12 o'clock and the hour hand with "N (North)." Although there will be some deviations depending on your latitude and the season, this is a completely analog method of determining your direction without the need for batteries or special devices.

　Adventures are also full of unexpected troubles, such as sudden bad weather. This model's screw-down crown ensures it's water resistant to 10 bar, making it unaffected by such situations. Considering that the manual-winding Khaki Field Mecha is water resistant to 5 bar, this is a definite upgrade in specs. The crown itself is kept low, yet maintains a certain diameter, allowing for high operability.

Cal. H-10 automatic movement with Nivachron™ hairspring

　It's not just the exterior that makes this watch highly practical. Inside, the self-winding mechanical movement, Cal. H-10, boasts excellent resistance to magnetic fields, shocks, and temperatures. These capabilities are achieved by the balance spring, which uses Nivachron™, an alloy developed by Nivarox, a subsidiary of the Swatch Group.

　The power reserve is approximately 80 hours. If the mainspring is fully wound, it will continue to run for three days without use, so even if you use multiple watches, you can keep them running without stopping. Considering the price range, this specification is amazing.

　The Caliber H-10 is based on ETA's Caliber 2824-2, which has been used by many brands for many years. This makes it extremely reliable. Running costs are also kept low, and as of January 2024, the company's complete maintenance service fee is 33,000 yen (tax included), making it more affordable than other companies. It's a great choice for a collector's first mechanical watch, as well as a daily watch that will stand the test of time.

　Furthermore, this model features a see-through case back, so you can view the movement at any time by removing it from your wrist. The movement of the automatic rotor that winds the mainspring and the balance wheel that controls precision is so captivating that you will forget the passage of time. While not endowed with the finest finishes, this small mechanical body is packed with the history of humankind's efforts to visualize the concept of time.

With the Khaki Field Expedition, you can go anywhere.

　But what exactly is an "adventure"? A common image might be venturing into uncharted territory or the great outdoors, where you don't know what awaits you. However, these are extraordinary experiences, and for many people, they are far removed from reality.

　Wouldn't it be nice if adventure were closer to us? When I think back to my childhood, I feel like every experience of experiencing "something new," such as running around a vacant lot in my neighborhood or riding a train alone for the first time, was an experience that could be called an adventure. And I'm sure we can still find that feeling even now as adults.

　Get up a little earlier and enjoy a different cityscape than usual. Venture off your usual route on your way home from work and take a walk down an alley you've always passed by. Try a new activity on your day off. Even if it's something small, each one is an adventure, and the new thing you encounter there has the potential to change you in a big way.

　The elegant, easy-to-read dial and enhanced water resistance make this watch ideal for any field activity, while the compass bezel will help guide your path.