Meet the Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph

Hamilton’s brand-new Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph watch recalls an important military-issued wristwatch from Hamilton’s historic catalogue. Complete with the same asymmetrical case design and a legible two-counter chronograph dial layout - its handsome, vintage nuances are sure to be a hit with any military chronograph wristwatch enthusiast or Hamilton watch collector.

Hamilton’s links with the British military

Between the 1970s and 1960s, four watchmakers became recognised for supplying their wristwatches to the British military: CWC, Newmark, Precista and Hamilton. They were known as the “Fab Four”. As a result of reducing its armed forces, both in size and cost, the Ministry of Defence revised the Defence Standard (DEF-STAN), which was responsible at the time for outlining the characteristics of those military chronograph watches made available for its use. Doing so enabled manufacturers to make use of one of the most widely used and affordable movements within the watchmaking industry at the time – the Valjoux 7733. Hamilton – a strong and steady player within the realm of military pilot’s watches – produced a chronograph that had an asymmetrical case to enable a crown protecting system, a black legible dial with white luminous markers, a 9 o’clock small seconds counter and a chronograph 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. Now, just a hair larger than its former 1970s military chronograph watch, Hamilton releases the new Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph watch measuring in at a 40mm diameter and boasting a vintage, compact feel on the wrist.

How does the new Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph feel on the wrist?

Overall, the form and function of the 1970s pilot’s chronograph watch from which this new model takes inspiration have been carried over faithfully. The new Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical watch parades the same asymmetrical case design with tapering unchamfered lugs and a bezel that slopes effortlessly. The 3 o’clock side of the case bulges out just as previous RAF-issued chronographs did, whilst the brushed finishes across its stainless steel bodywork lend a hand in creating a muscular aesthetic once sat against the wrist. Calling to mind the original 6BB’s caseback initials, the new Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph watch features a radially brushed caseback with simple engraved lines of text.

Key features of the new Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph watch

The new Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph watch revives one of the brand’s most famous military-issued chronograph wristwatches. Fitted with a capable, modern movement and showcasing beige-coloured hour markers that point to the vintage tritium lume used during this period of watchmaking, its striking asymmetrical case design and vintage-inspired pilot watch dial are key features for any Hamilton enthusiast or collector. Its robust stainless steel case, which sits at a substantial height of 14.35mm, is integrated with 100-meter water resistance and its strong glass front is crafted from scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass that has been treated with anti-reflective properties.

The new Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph watch has some subtle differences when compared with its ancestor, however. It forgoes the “circle T” logo that indicated tritium lume at 12 o’clock and the broad arrow emblem to mark the Ministry of Defence under the 12 o’clock location. Aside from this, there are very few differences to note about the dial of this new Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph watch and the former 6BB chronograph dial layout.

Its black display accommodates a 1970s Hamilton logo underneath the 12 o’clock location and printed Arabic numerals in tan, adding a fauxtina warmth to the dial. A grainy matte black texture forms the backdrop to all of these features, exaggerating the smaller details on the dial like the minute rail track scale and the circular dots that form each five-minute increment. Cutting through this texture on the dial is the azurage finish of the chronograph sub-counters. These, once again, offer a small second sub-dial at 9 o’clock, balanced by a 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock.

Inside this new Hamilton chronograph watch for military use is the H-51-Si hand-wound chronograph movement. It is based on the platform of the Valjoux 7753 but has been modified with a silicon balance spring to resist the damaging effects caused by magnetism. This hand-wound movement also beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 60-hour power reserve. Thanks to its lack of a date wheel on this occasion, the pilot’s watch can retain a simple and symmetrical dial layout.

To complete the vintage-inspired aesthetic of the new Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph watch, Hamilton specialists have chosen a stylish brown distressed leather strap in a coffee shade that has been executed with tone on tone stitching down the sides and a matching stainless steel pin buckle. The traditional feel of this band helps create a broken-in look on the wrist, whilst at the same time delivering a stunning tribute to an important military wristwatch in the company’s heritage.

If you’d like more information on the new Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph watch, you can check out the watch here online at Jura Watches, or speak to a member of our sales team on 01335 453453 today.

Technical Specifications of the Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph watch

• Case; 40mm – stainless steel – brushed – height: 14.35mm – 100-meter water-resistant – asymmetrical design – unchamfered tapering lugs, sloping bezel, anti-reflective box sapphire crystal glass front – radially brushed caseback with engravings
• Dial: Black – matte grained – azurage chronograph dials at 3 and 9 o’clock – 30-minute and small seconds – tan-coloured luminous Arabic numeral hour markers and hands – 1970s Hamilton logo at 12 o’clock – central chronograph seconds hand
• Movement: Calibre H-51-Si - hand-wound chronograph – based on the Valjoux 7735 – silicone balance spring – 28,800 vph – 60-hour power reserve
• Strap: Coffee brown – distressed leather – tone on tone stitching – stainless steel pin buckle engraved with Hamilton logo
• Reference: H76409530