Review Summary
Hamilton has priced the Khaki Field right. At $500 it offers a sapphire crystal, a Swiss-made ETA 2824-2 movement, and a date display. Hamilton is known for quality of craft, and the Khaki Field is another example of that. I’m not a fan of the strap it ships with, but that’s an easy fix and doesn’t sour my opinion of an otherwise fine watch.
I own several Hamilton watches – Jazzmaster, Auto Chrono, Regulator, Open Heart, and two vintage 1960s automatics. From 2016 to 2018 I also had the modernized Pan-Europ.
Hamilton is owned by the Swatch Group – the same group that owns movement manufacturer ETA. In general, Hamilton’s are well-made watches that are solid choices in their segments. That description fits the Khaki Field exactly.
About Hamilton
Hamilton was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1892. Now headquartered in Switzerland, Hamilton is well-respected in the watchmaking industry for making reliable and stylish timepieces. Hamilton watches tend to be priced in the $750 – $2,000 range.
I own several Hamiltons and generally have had good experiences with their watches.
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Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic Technical Specifications
- Model Number: H70555533
- MSRP: $495
- Case Diameter: 42mm
- Alternate Models: Different color and complication combinations available
- Movement: Automatic, ETA 2824-2
- Complications: Date display
- Power Reserve: Approximately 38 hours
- Water Resistance: 100m/330ft
- Crystal Material: Sapphire
Setting the Time
The ETA 2824-2 is a hacking movement, meaning the seconds hand stops when you pull the crown. This makes it easy to set the day and date precisely.
How To set the time:
- Pull crown to the furthest position (position 3). Turn the crown clockwise to set the time. Note that the date display will roll over at midnight, thus denoting AM time.
How To set the Date:
- Pull crown to the middle position (position 2). Turn the crown clockwise to set the date.
This Khaki Goes With Almost Everything
Field-style isn’t hard to do, but that doesn’t make it any less satisfying when it’s done right. I think the Khaki does it right.
The green and brown scheme works well together, though I have to admit that I’m not a fan of the strap. This is a superficial gripe, since the strap itself is decent quality and there’s nothing inherently wrong with it. I just don’t like it. I had the same critique of this fieldish Citizen.
In my mind, like the Timex Weekender or Seiko 5, the Khaki Field is one of the obvious choices and best representations of its segment. The dial is simple and flat, save for the hour markers which bring a slight element of depth to the face. On the model shown here, the smooth inner-dial is circled by a grooved ring that the Arabic numerals sit in. Tapered hands and a red-tipped seconds hand complete the look.
The brushed case lets the polished bezel capture the eye, and that polish frames the green dial very well. The crown is embossed with Hamilton’s logo, and the clasp is engraved with the same. It’s a good look all-around.
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Another watch I reviewed – the Victorinox Infantry Vintage Mechanical – has a similar aesthetic. Where the Victorinox shows off a little more, this Hamilton is more reserved.
At night the minute and hour hands are clearly visible. The rest of the dial, however, is much fainter by comparison. You can still see the hour markers, save for the date display at 3 o’clock. Overall, nighttime visibility is pretty good.
Hamilton Khaki Field Build Quality
One area of concern I have is the polished finish on the dial. The rest of the watch, including the ho-hum strap, looks and feels like it was built to be worn daily. The polished bezel will show wear much more noticeably.
Crystal, Case, and Dial
The sapphire crystal is slightly domed, but otherwise stays tucked out of the way. Hamilton has not applied an anti-reflective coating to the crystal.
The hour and minute hands are mounted straight and look and feel secure when manipulating the time. I don’t expect to see the hands fall off on a Hamilton.
The stainless steel case is built well. The tolerances are tight and there are no defects in the workmanship that I can see.
Strap and Clasp
The leather strap feels quite secure and strong. It’s a little thicker than what I’m used to, and I think that plays a big part in that feeling of strength. It doesn’t show a lot of wear after being worn for a good eighty hours either.
The clasp is a standard Hamilton stainless steel unit. It doesn’t feel flimsy and is snug when secured.
Movement
Hamilton uses ETA movements in their watches. In the Khaki Field, they are using the ETA 2824-2. The 2824-2 is a “workhorse” movement used by a variety of manufacturers from all over the world. It is widely considered a reliable automatic movement.
In the Khaki Field, the 2824-2 is accurate to an average of +/- 7 seconds per day, with a maximum deviation of +/- 20 seconds per day.
More About the Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic
You can find the Khaki Field Auto on Amazon for around $400, and I think that’s a fair price for this watch. It’s made with all the right materials, looks great day or night, and is built to last. The Khaki Field is an excellent first automatic, or the automatic you want to wear every day.
Hamilton as a watchmaker is one of my favorites because of the value they offer. They are Swiss made timepieces using Swiss-made movements. My experience with them as a brand overall has been very positive.
Right now, it’s one of the best automatics you can buy for $400.
Photo Gallery
Hi Cameron,
for a matter of interest, if you don’t mind me asking – what size wrist do you have? The watch looks a little too large in a couple of the photographs, I’m tossing up between the 38mm and 42mm at the moment and would appreciate your comments… does it wear big?
cheers,
Richard
Hi Richard,
My wrists are approximately 7.75″ around. I find that a 41 – 44 mm diameter is ideal for me, though that obviously may change depending on the style of the watch/bracelet/lugs/etc.
Hi Cameron,
thanks for your reply – same circumference as myself and I also typically wear 40 – 43mm so must be an optical illusion or maybe the type of lens that was used. Problem solved, decision made, next job is to place an order….!!!!
cheers,
Richard
That watch definetely is to large for you.
That watch looks WAY too big for your wrist, you aren’t measuring your wrist correctly if you believe you have a 7.75″ wrist, more like 6.5″.
lol no, it fits just fine. Remember that as this watch was provided by Gem by Carati I did not want to stress the leather so I did not break it in. It sat a little awkwardly as a result 🙂
42 mm is NOT too big. I have a smaller wrist too and I find it just right. ( i cant stand small dials) Its not obtrusive like some over sized timepieces that are trendy today.
I just ordered this Hamilton. I think she will be perfect for weekends and holidays. I am interested recently to automatic Swiss watches. After a few Tissot (Couturier auto chrono and Le Locle), this will be my first Hamilton! By the way, your site is very well done and I really like it!
Thanks for your comments 🙂
I think you’ll find the quality of your upcoming Hamilton to be on par with what you’ve come to expect from Tissot 🙂
When I got it (a month and a half ago) it was loosing something like 3 seconds per day, now it s 8 seconds per day. I thing it need to be regulated.
I am buying this model before they become too hard to find. But I have a question… Most Hamiltons have the “swiss made” in tiny print on either side of the 6 o’clock marker. This one does not. Is it not assembled in Switzerland to gain the label? Is the movement from Switzerland, but assembled elsewhere? Or are some Hamiltons simply not labeled with the “swiss made” because it is an “American” design and they did not want to detract from that idea by writing “swiss made” on the face?
“Swiss Made” is on the back.. I bought this watch with the leather strap, but quickly sourced an hamilton original stainless strap designed for it (similar clasp to omega seamaster) as I preferred the weight of the metal with the watch (coming from heavier tissots or omegas). I love the watch and wear it every day (mostly)
Some images on my small wrist.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1jD5pZKjx3Y/Vd9EzJvlfcI/AAAAAAAABZk/ToL4uN_3zt4/s912-Ic42/20150827_110758.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L-3vdb6MnWg/Vd9EzXPWVNI/AAAAAAAABZo/M-UxM3-rbVU/s912-Ic42/20150827_110806.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AgE-bwMNFyU/Vd9EzhA0TyI/AAAAAAAABZs/vCB2LiWmqxk/s912-Ic42/20150827_110816.jpg
It really looks sharp with the bracelet! Nice choice 🙂
Cameron, I have an issue with my Hamilton Khaki Officer Automatic. The problem is when the crystal is exposed to steam from cooking or doing dishes, etc., the crystal clouds up. It’s not condensation but something else. I’ve sent it back to Hamilton once for repair but the same problem recurrs. What is the issue?
Frustrated in North Carolina
Is it inside or outside of the crystal?
I believe it is inside the crystal.
An excellent review on a fine watch. I initially bought the 42mm version and found it to be too large for my 7.5″ wrist. I thought that interesting in that I have several watches that measure 42mm and had no issue with them. At any rate, I exchanged it for the 38mm version and have been quite happy with it. I believe the subtle nature of the design, not to mention the nod to it’s mid-20th century ancestry, imparts a “less is more” feeling to the watch.
A screw down crown would have been nice, as I have seen reports of moisture getting inside.
I do have to ask though, are you sure about the AR coating on the sapphire? I would have sworn there was none.
You are correct in that it does not have an AR coating. I have since corrected my review. 🙂
Just picked the 38mm version of this watch recently — prospective buyers should note that the newer versions have a different movement, but it’s for the better! Instead of the ETA 2824-2, Hamilton uses a modified movement developed in collaboration with ETA (they’re both owned by the Swatch Group) called the H-10 which actually has an 80-hour power reserve. The version I purchased was supposed to be the former, but I got the latter and it was a pleasantly surprised. If you’re wondering which you have, the old one clearly said “2824-2” with a plain rotor, while the new one does not say the type of movement, but has a notable H-shaped hole in the rotor. It’s sharp.
If you want the Hamilton watch with Day and date, you can not beat he Hamilton Khaki King II. You can get it on sale through Jomashop for $399. Calibre H40 is good for 80 hours power reserve. And metal bracelet!
The leather band one sells for $369.
That watch is a value! Lot of bang for the buck. With an ETA movement ( or benchmarked off 2824 ie slight improvement)!
I have just bought the 38mm automatic khaki feild watch. l needed a reliable timepiece, being a train driver it pays to have the correct time. (I’m not keen on wearing the plastic digital watches the railway provide.) I also do a lot of hill walking and running about with the dog so a tough waterproof piecec is a must. Hamilton have served up a cracker, I absolutely love it. I like the simple uncluttered face too…no nonsense like a lot of watches have. 10/10 for me.
I hope you enjoy it, David!