Hamilton releases the new Khaki Field Expedition watch with a compass bezel
Thursday - 26 October 2023
The new Khaki Field Expedition watch from Hamilton carries many of the much-loved hallmarks of the Khaki Field watch but features an additional compass bezel, primed for treks, mounting climbing and much more.
You could say that Hamilton has covered around 90% of eventualities within its highly collectable Khaki line. The series has been equipping the wrists of daring explorers for over a century and was developed by a brand that now offers a very diverse range of wristwatches. From its elegant Railroad watches to its futuristic models like the Ventura, you’re bound to find a design that resonates with you from within the company’s broad range of timepieces. The Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition watch, however - an all-terrain model - comes in a choice of three dial colour options and two case sizes to give you even more variation.
The Khaki Field
The Hamilton Khaki Field collection is largely based on the style of the brand’s military or navigation watches designed for the US and British militaries during the 1940s and 1950s. Many of the models from the range are defined by their double time scale. This involves an Arabic numeral hour track around the outer dial section and an inner 24-hour scale on the inner side. Combined with luminescent material applied to the crucial elements of the dial, these Khaki Field watches by Hamilton promise superior legibility. One other defining feature of the Khaki Field series is the unique sword-come-syringe-shaped central hands, which can easily be read in the dark. From the Hamilton Khaki Field watch range, you can choose between automatic and quartz-operated timepieces, as well as options with or without a date function and various different case sizes. Earlier this month, I covered the Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium in a bare finish or a stealthy black-coated variation. If you want to check these 38mm and 42mm options out in more detail, you can do that by reading my recent article here. Next on the menu is Hamilton’s Khaki Field Expedition watch, primed for trekking with its trail-ready compass bezel for analogue navigation.
Advantages of the new Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition watch
If you love the look of the Khaki Field, you’ll be relieved to learn that the new Hamilton Khaki Expedition watch keeps many elements of the much-loved tool watch intact. It has been used by thousands of soldiers over the decades. Hamilton secured a contract with the US military in 1914 and became the key manufacturer of field watches for this specific use. The watches were appropriately named the Officer’s Trench Watch and went on to serve soldiers in the Vietnam and Korean wars. The large Arabic numeral hour markers and visible hands are still evident in the most recent Khaki Field watches, including the new Expedition model, complete with a distinctive vintage military aesthetic.
Just like the new Khaki Field Titanium watches by Hamilton, the Khaki Field Expedition has been made available in two case sizes. If you have smaller wrists, you’ll likely be drawn to the 37mm option, yet a larger 41mm model is also available. The watches have a respective case height of 10.45mm and 11.5mm. Both are also fitted with a screw-down crown at 3 o’clock that helps uphold a water-resistant rating of 100 meters. In addition to this, both models also feature a strong anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass front that protects the surface of a very legible dial. Surrounding the dial is the model’s standout feature – the new compass bezel, primed for plenty of exploration.
The new compass bezel frames a legible dial in a choice of three colours. You can choose between white, black and blue. Regardless of which dial colour you opt for, each model is adorned with large legible Arabic numerals in a contrasting colour. A general layer of Super-LumiNova has also been used on these elements, along with the central hour and minute hands to make timekeeping easier in dark conditions.
Inside each case of the new Khaki Field Expedition design is the H10 Calibre. This automatic movement promises a staggering power reserve of 80 hours and performs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It also features a Nivachron hairspring, protecting against magnetic damage. Adding to more options is the choice by Hamilton designers to configure each of the white, blue and black dials on different band options You can choose between a green leather strap, a brown leather band in dark or tan, and a dressier stainless steel bracelet. Thus, you can enjoy customising your new Khaki Field Expedition watch, expressing your tastes through a range of different straps that each transform the watch into a new style whenever you desire.
How to use the new compass bezel in the Khaki Field Expedition watch
The new compass bezel on the Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition watch is surprisingly easy to operate. When in the northern hemisphere, simply keep the hour hand pointing in the direction of the sun. Then rotate the compass bezel, aligning the southern marker mid-point between the hour hand and the 12 o’clock hour marker. This can be reversed for the southern hemisphere, but the feature basically gives you an indication of direction. It’s the perfect accompaniment for your trek gear, alongside a proper compass or GPS tool, of course. The handy feature is a quirky addition to the Hamilton Khaki Field watch, not only adding to its robust and adventure-ready aesthetic but also constituting a great talking point.
If you’d like more information on the new Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition watch, you can check the watch out here at Jura Watches, or call and speak to a member of our sales team on 01335 453453. Alternatively, you can email us at (enter).
