Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 38mm Full Review and History
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- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
- I have owned my Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 38mm for 6 years now and thought I would share my experiences with this watch! What a phenomenal timepiece indeed. It is without question one of the best if not the best Swiss automatic watch under $600. Very thankful for my parents who kindly gifted me this watch many years ago. It will always be very special to me.
Back when I was given this watch, Authorized dealers were able to offer pretty decent discounts, now I have found that JomaShop is generally the best place to find the best deals on watches sub $2k.
www.kqzyfj.com/click-10065255...
Great review. I realize this is a couple of years back for you.
I’ve just retired my hi tech electric watch and wanted to get back to analog.
Looked at a few reviews on the Hamilton Khaki and your honest and simple review convinced me I was going to get this one.
I smiled when you described its 2 meter swim in Israel, but enjoyed the history of the company too.
Well done and keep up the work.
Love the blues-jazz music and clean editing + footage. Subbed.
So glad you enjoyed it! Definitely appreciate the sub as well 👍🏻
You are such an interesting person to listen to. I appreciate what you offer in this video. You are a valuable person to society. Thank you for posting!
Awesome review! Can't wait to see the next video!
Thank you Nick! This one was lots of fun and I learned a lot making it as well!
Great video! My current daily and favorite part of my collection
Right on! Great to hear.
This video has highly detailed filmography of the watch from a variety of lighting conditions. Amazing. Nice video!
Well done! I hadn't known the history of Hamilton until now.
Thank you sir! Yes, quite an interesting story I think which adds quite a lot to the brand!
Great video and story behind your Hamilton. I just ordered one on the bracelet today. I’ve been a huge dive watch guy for a long time and figured this would make a great everyday style watch and add variety to my collection.
Hey Kordel! Thank you! Glad you enjoyed my little video. Well this Hamilton is a phenomenal watch which you will certainly enjoy! Haha, you and I are opposites since I have a small collection of casual and somewhat formal watches and am just now looking to get into some dive watches! What are some of your favorite dive watches in your collection?
Thanks your joy in owning this watch has convinced me to get one
I am glad! It is a fantastic watch and I know you will enjoy it!
Great review and beautiful watch.
Great review, and wonderful video!
Thank you so much!
Great video, great watch and keep doing these
Thank you!
Excellent video and presentation. Subbed!
Thank you so much Justin!
Nice review and video👍
This guy looks like mark zuckerburg😳
lol, yes I get that a lot!
Wow burn! What a thing to say
Nah mark zuckerburg looks like him
If Mark Zuckerburg had a soul.
Not castle but mountain. ZuckerBERG
Wonderful review! I was just gifted this exact same watch for father's day by my daughter and son in law. It's very special to me. I really like your conversational style, music and over all production quality. Subscribed; hope you keep doing these.
Pete that is so neat - what a special gift indeed!
Hey I appreciate that! Thank you!
Dude this video is awesome production quality is top notch. I appreciate the long term durability perspective and your attention to detail. I’m looking to purchase this watch as well as a Seiko 5 as more of a “beater”. Your videos are helpful. Keep it up!
Hey thank you so much! Really glad you enjoyed and were able to get something useful out of them! I think that is a great idea. I still really enjoy my Hamilton. Definitely wish it had a screw down crown but for this price range it is extremely hard to beat. Funny you mention that combo since that is exactly how I rolled (everyday Hamilton, beater Seiko 5) for many years until I began adding other pieces to my collection.
One thing you might consider is consolidating those two into one Vaer. They make some great watches too. At least for their field watches, Vaer are slightly more tool watch oriented with more brushed surfaces and screw down crown as compared to the Hamilton given the Khakis fully polished bezel and more intricately detailed dial. All three watches, Hamilton, Seiko 5, and Vaer are amazing watches and I do not think you could go wrong with any of them!
@@TheTimelyFocus yes I saw your Vaer video as well which was equally as good and that watch has come up in my research as well. It’s a solid pic and I really connected with their story being as I live on the beach and want something to go from play to work. I didn’t know that about their company before watching your video so if I do go that route I’ll tell them you sent me!
Right on! In that case I would take a long hard look at the offerings from Vaer. Personally, if Vaer were around when I had chosen to go with my Hamilton, I think my Vaer would have been the better choice given I can wear it without worry at the beach and in the water. However, at least in these two configurations that I have, the Hamilton is the more dressy option. Like I mentioned before, both are fantastic options and I do not regret owning either my Hamilton or Vaer one bit! I am in finals week right now but I am planning on putting out an in-depth comparison between the two very soon so hopefully that will help you as well.
@@TheTimelyFocus awesome!
Great review! I can't wait to get mine some time next month. I'm getting the 42mm model.
Thank you and congratulations on your new acquisition! I have no doubts you will really enjoy it as I do mine!
Brother.. my parents also got me this exact piece... being a self-taught student of history, watching this and learning of its background of yore really adds to the depth of wearing such a timekeeper.
also yes... my very first mechanical watch :)
That is so cool Ron! What a crazy coincidence. Glad you are enjoying yours as well!
Excellent video!
Thank you!
Hamilton is a well respected brand, I own the 40mm champagne dial watch. Beautiful watch, its a privilege just looking at it. These watches have gone up to £625 - £700 so buy them while you have the chance before they hit 1k
I agree. They are great watches! Haha, I remember having quite a tough time deciding which dial to get. Glad you like yours!
Great video and cool story
Great content, subbed.
Much appreciated!
of all the less expensive swiss made autos this is my favorite, Its an incredible value for what it is,
I agree Jason!
Great video. I’ve got the Khaki Field Auto JDM for Nano Universe. It’s a perfect watch
Oh heck yeah!
Great video Sir , with a relaxed and informative feel! After watching this , and a few other videos, I have just purchased this watch from a dealer in New York. It is the 80hr version which I guess is the new model? It's on the way to me in Australia and I look forward to having a "Daily driver" in my small watch collection! Having loved American railroads since I was a boy, the railroad connection is a extra bonus for me and will compliment my Ball Trainmaster 135.
Thanks for a great review.
Cheers Gregg.
Glad you enjoyed the video and congratulations on your new watch Gregg! Yes, Hamilton updated the movement a few years back. The new movement is based on the well proved and reliable ETA 2824-2 that I have but with some tweaks made to allow for greater efficiency and that 80hr power reserve. It will fit in well with your Ball - also a great price!
@@TheTimelyFocus Yes , it arrives tomorrow hopefully 🙂
Cheers Gregg.
@@FishplateFilms so how are you enjoying the watch? i'm in aus too and about to pull the trigger.
@@demounit Hi Demo, I still love it and wear it every time I go on a video shoot! I just got back from Adelaide and it was on my wrist every day . Still looks great anwill love d I still find myself looking at the dial and movement.
You will love it.
Gregg.
@@FishplateFilms I picked it up today. I absolutely love it. it fits my wrist perfectly and I can't stop looking at it. my wife loves it too which is a huge bonus. such a beautiful piece.
Great video! Subscribed!
Thank you sir!
Wow! Wow! Wow! Fabulous video!
Lol, thank you guys! I appreciate it!
Digging the high class ✨lawn chair✨
Oh yeah, this is a super comfy zero gravity lawn chair!
I had an extra Britling brown leather strap with white stitch so I put that on my Hamilton. A much nicer strap now the watch looks perfect!
Oh yes I bet that really sets the watch off nicely!
That's a beautiful watch
Thank you Vincent! I totally agree. Hamilton did very well with this one!
Great watch from a great brand I’ve got the Kahkie king version
Right on Kava! It was a tough decision for me between the King and regular version. Both are super cool
Great long term experience video.👏🏻 as i know the caseback glass is just mineral (if iam wrong just correct me). This one is better than the new h10 movement for everyday users cos if you use it everyday you wouldn’t need a 80 hour power reserve. I always prefer smoother second.
Sapphire in the front mineral in the back seems like a very strange arrangement, would also like to know if it's the case, i'm down to scratch my crystal if we don't find out :P
Thank you Umut! Yes I agree, for everyday use or even every other day use, I definitely prefer the higher beat rate to the longer power reserve.
I am pretty sure both the front and back displays are sapphire. Hamilton is a little vague on their website but from all of my reading it seems both are sapphire. After owning and wearing this watch for years and years, I would expect some scratches in the case back as there are on the back glass of my Seiko SNK807 which has a mineral front and back display. Yet on my Khaki Field Auto, there is not a mark.
I stopped wearing smart watches and decided to go old school. I have the hamilton khaki field watch titanium with grey dial. I love this watch. It's my everyday watch. I changed the strap to a NATO. really looks good with a NATO strap. The only thing I wish hamilton would do, which is not a big deal, but wish hamilton would design their field watches with screw down crowns.
Nice. Though it was very much subjective, but in a very good way and I really understand.
This exact watch is my first serious watch I bought 4 years ago.
And many watches have come and go since then, but this stayed in my collection and keep finding its way into my rotation a couple days a week.
It is special because it was personal and thus owning the best watch(es) for YOU should always be subjective and personal, not about the trend and the hype.
Enjoy!
Just bought one about 2 weeks ago and I can’t take it off. It’s the cheapest watch I have but one of my favorites. Goes well with all types of straps.
Right on! That is great to hear! I agree, this watch is such a classic, really punches above its weight, and works in so many different settings!
Great video, thank you for detailed review. Could you please share, what wrist size do you have?
I'm deciding between 38 and 42 now, and that could be helpful.
Thank you! I have about 6.75” wrists. A great watch indeed!
@@TheTimelyFocus Same size, that helps, thanks!🔥
Beautiful timepiece. It's such a high-quality Swiss watch for a fairly decent price. This 38mm is the absolute perfect watch for guys who tend to have wrists that are a bit smaller than average.
I agree! Or even for regular or large sized wrists. 38mm is sick a classic size!
That would be me
Hi there, great video! Could you share where you bought that leather strap for the watch? I have the original one and it not the best.
Thank you so much! Yes of course. It is a fairly inexpensive one. I got it from Teddy Baldassarre’s website a few years back. I think it was about $35. Definitely not better than the OEM one in my opinion but it does looks nice and was 1/3 the cost!
I love this watch, I’m saving for this one. Maybe you could send the watch for service, I know that is possible to make it waterproof again.
Right on! That is a worthy goal to work towards! You might even be able to get 15-20% off if you ask your local AD for a discount as well so keep that in mind too 👍🏻
Yes, I know I can send it in to Hamilton for service but it still keeps good time so I am waiting for things to really begin to fail before I send it in. Haha, part of me is very curious how long it will last especially in its water damaged state. So far it is still going strong after almost seven years!
I can't wait to wear it tomorrow. Btw from your suggestion what is the best strap for this watch (leather or nato)?
I am excited for you! I have actually only ever worn mine on leather straps but I think NATOs would not be a bad option either - especially a leather NATO strap! Since this is a field watch very similar to those which were produced by Hamilton back in the 1930s and 40s, leather just feels right to me for this watch. Good question! What do you think?
@@TheTimelyFocus if you say that. I will go for leather strap. Thank you for replying ☺️
Glad I could help!
What is the leather strap you replaced it with?
Great video. I’m in between the new version of this watch and the VAER A5….I like the look of the Hamilton, but the screw down crown on the vaer is a big advantage it seems. I’m looking to hand the watch down to my son 16 years or so. Do you have a recommendation between the two?
Hey Jared! Those are both great choices. I have both and personally prefer the Vaer. That screw down crown is a big plus for me but the dial of the Hamilton is slightly better and more intricate. Hard to go wrong either way but personally I would be choosing the Vaer between the two
@@TheTimelyFocus do you consider the miyota 9015 to be a long lasting movement? My question is how does it measure up to the eta in the Hamilton? Thanks so much for your time. Appreciate the videos.
I really wish the 38mm looked good on my wrist, still loving the 42mm!
Good choice though! Glad the 42 is working for you!
Great video. What's your opinion of Sellita sw200? If anyone has any experience, let me know. Thanks
Thank you! That is a good question. I know Oris and a number of other brands use their movements. I hear they make quality movements though I have not personally had experience with them. Interested to hear other responses!
I’ve owned this exact same watch for 7 months now as my everyday watch. I work retail (manual labor) I also do a lot of hiking and upland hunting. So far it’s held up great with some minor fine scratches on the polished bezel which is normal. Under these conditions do you think this is a watch that will serve me a lifetime?
Cool! It certainly could. I am betting it will need servicing at around the 10 or 15 year point. These movements should last quite a long time as long as they have semi-regular servicing. Plus, they are really popular as well so watchmakers will have no problem sourcing replacement parts to keep your watch running nicely for quite a long time!
I have the khaki field mechanical and it is an amazing watch! However, thinking of picking up this automatic version, do you think it's a smart move? Amazing review btw
Yes those are both great watches! Glad you are enjoying your field mechanical.
It all depends on your personal preference. If it were me I would probably not get the automatic one just because it is so similar to what you already have. Instead, I would put my money into another watch that is a bit more different. Maybe something like a Vaer A5 or Seiko Alpinist if you wanted another field watch. Or you could go with a classic everyday type watch like the Tissot Gentleman or even a dive watch. Lots of great options. But that is just based on my preference and if you enjoy having very similar things and appreciating the minute differences in them, then by all means, get the Khaki Field Auto - it is a great watch! Ultimately you should buy what you like most. Hope this helps!
@@TheTimelyFocus Wow great answer thank you so much! This will definitely help me with my decision. I appreciate the help, Thank you!
@@TheTimelyFocus the alpinist is king of the field
Great video👌. Im about to purchase one to celebrate a nee job
Thank you and congratulations on a successful surgery! I hope you are able to enjoy both the new watch and hopefully a healed knee as well!
*new job lol
Keep it safe
What strap did you replace the original strap with? I like it better than the original.
Yes I like it too! Looks great. I got mine here.
www.teddybaldassarre.com/products/ms906-tan-shrunken-grain-genuine-italian-leather-strap
I however I should point out that after about 4 months of actual wrist time, the leather is starting to break down a bit and crack. I was a bummed to see this considering the original lasted for 6 years and still looked pretty good. The OEM strap costs $100 so considering this one is only $20, this is not the end of the world but it was rather disappointing. I suppose as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. If you are planning on wearing it a lot I would definitely recommend a higher quality strap.
a little concerned about water going in on a 100m water resist watch
I just got the field commander khaki lets hope it holds on well!
Yes I would imagine you should be fine! Haha, probably just do not go swimming with it too much thought technically that should be easy for it. Since my Hamilton leaked a few times, I do not trust anything for swimming without a screw down crown
If this hada bit more attention to the decoration, e.g.: blue screws, would be insane value!
Oh I agree! That would be incredible
It has 80h power reserve and 3hz currently
Yep, that is correct. Mine is the old version
Link for that strap?
Wrist size?
Good question. I am a fairly thin guy with 6.75” wrists. Hamilton makes their field watches in a variety of sizes from 38 all the way up to 44mm. Personally I really like the more historically accurate size of 38mm given most of the original field watches were between 34 and 38mm. However, especially if you have large wrists, I have no doubt that the 42 or 44mm sizes would look great s as well.
I just bought me this watch I’m so exited my people friends family aliens everyone
Haha, that is great to hear! It is a wonderful watch and you will certainly enjoy it!
I have the newer movement version with a black dial and stainless bracelet. I am curious what folks think of the idea of replacing the black dial with a silver one. Most dealers seem to be out of this combo ( silver dial and bracelet), so is it because it is so popular or not popular enough to keep it in stock? TIA
Right on! I hope you have been enjoying it. I remember deliberating for months about which dial to get, black or silver. I have heard that dial swaps are possible but that you would probably have to send it back to the Hamilton service center.
I have seen very few silver dialed khaki field autos so I imagine it is simply not as popular. The black dialed version is what most people think of when somebody says Hamilton though I bet some of this is because most reviews, either on UA-cam or on the watch forums, are off the black dial so the silver simply is overlooked. There is certainly something cool about the uniqueness of the silver dial! Let me know what you end up doing!
@@TheTimelyFocus Your suggestion about the Hamilton Service Center w as a good one, and I will follow up with them as time permits. I have also contacted Hamilton USA Customer Service about their production plans. Their website says the silver dial/stainless bracelet 38mm version will be available soon, so I have asked them for something more specific. So far, I have only had an acknowledgement, but no answer. I don't know if I am ready yet to give up the black dial in favor of the silver, so I am leaning toward getting both. How is that for indecision? Will keep you posted. Nice work on the video, by the way.
That is interesting! Thank you for letting me know. Haha, I understand about the indecision! Your idea of getting both is exactly what I did for my Tissot Luxury Automatic - I have both the silver dial and charcoal dial versions. Lol, I am looking forward to the day I can afford to do that for my favorite Rolex models too
super cool watch but the minute and hour hand looks like two joints, I cannot unsee it now.
Hahaha, that is funny. I have never noticed that before and actually cannot really see it myself. Maybe that is because I have had it for so long and have always thought of them by their tradition name as “syringe hands”.
What is the weight on this?
The current edition of the Hamilton Field Khaki Auto has a power reserve of 80 hours!
Yes sir! Mine is the old version with the ETA 2824-2
@@TheTimelyFocus with 38h power reserve?
Your watch might need a service. The reverser wheels need to be re-lubed. The rotor turns when you hand-wind it which puts stress on the ratchet wheel.
Alternately, avoid hand winding as much as possible, just let the rotor wind it. When you do hand-wind go easy.
Great watch. Nice story. Love the birds singing in the background
That is great insight! Thank you so much for that information Kevin! Yes, I know my watch is due for a service but it is still keeping great time. I got a quote from Hamilton and they said they would likely have to replace a lot of the parts anyway so I figured I might as well keep wearing it until the accuracy drops off at which point I will have Hamilton service it. What do you think about that? You seem to be more knowledgeable than I about movements
Sounds good then. Enjoy it in good health.
Mine unit (can see same thing on your watch) arrived defective, rotor should not move during manual hand winding
Interesting! Are you sure? Seems to me to make sense that when manually winding, doing so would take any pressure of the rotor? I am not a watchmaker though so if you understand better please let me know. Thank you!
@@TheTimelyFocus yes that is an issue of reversing wheel
Hows the watch holding up now ? Only think that puts me off is the struggle people have with the water resistance. Although I guess it's not a huge hard ship to take a watch of when swimming in the first place lol
Haha, yes I usually wear a dive watch or my Vaer A5 while swimming. However my Hamilton, with the exception of its compromised water resistance, is still going strong and keeping good time too despite never being serviced.
The Auto version has 100m of water resistance. Those known problems with water resistance usually happen with the Mechanical/Hand-wound versions, that are only rated to 50m. 100m is more than enough for pretty much everything in the daily use, even regular swimming.
@@tiagodvt oh I agree. Yes, 100m should be more than enough for almost everything. Unfortunately though, my Hamilton just has not held up to that so I consider it to be only marginally water resistant despite its rating.
@@TheTimelyFocus yeah I commented before seeing the whole video. Then I heard about your experience. Sounds weird. I own one and never had a problem with casual ocean or pool swims. But mine is only 1 year old and the updated version (different movement, some minor differences on the clasp for the bracelet version, dial and caseback lettering) - no idea if anything changed related to the water resistance. But guess I'll be careful and not use it near water, at least after the warranty period expires. It is one of my favourites on a collection of 20+ watches and a great do-it-all piece.
@@tiagodvt gotcha. Well great to hear you enjoy it so much! Yes, it is certainly a great watch!
The water resistance of watches is more to do with pressure. You can generate the equivalent of 100m water pressure from swimming in 2 metres of water due to the fact that as you swim you will create pressure as you move through the water.
True but I don't think as much could be done just floating about. Maybe in a large current. I have found. If double check for crown is set in w a forward turn and push on these you'll find less trouble
No you won't,that ridiculous myth has been TOTALLY debunked about a million times,you CANNOT move your arm fast enough underwater to affect the water pressure on the watch,it's literally physically impossible
@@deanwaller8283 uhm. Pls refer me to what your saying. Show me.
@@deanwaller8283 also. This watch is a pos
@@deanwaller8283 science
Are you sure the power reserve is only 38 hrs?
For the old version with the ETA2824-2, yes, 38 hours of power reserve. For the last few years Hamilton has been using their H10 (basically the same things as the Powermatic 80 from Tissot for example) which uses the same base 2824 design but changes a few things, mainly dropping the best rate from 4hz to 3 hz, to achieve an 80 hour power reserve.
The rotor should NOT spin when you hand wind the watch. It looks like yours does from the brief shot in the beginning of the video. If it's doing that, get it serviced immediately or you'll definitely break something in the winding gear train.
Rear is saphirre ?
yes
And.until they address that ABSOLUTELY shitty water resistance issue I'll never ever waste my money on a Hamilton
Yeah I am with you. I do like my Hamilton a lot but I would definitely buy a Vaer with a screw down crown over a Hamilton if I were starting over.
@@TheTimelyFocus agreed,I can't believe that they're still getting away with this to be honest,even a Seiko snk809 with only 30mtrs water resistance does better overall in the wet than Hamiltons do!
Always .. always .. show a lume shot
I have one and the lume is so cool!
No screw down crown is a deal breaker.
That is a good point Simon. Thank you for mentioning that. It does have 100m water resistance but I am always careful if I am around water to make sure the crown is fully seated. Would love to see more screw down crowns in the future!
38 Hours I Thought it was 80 Hours Power Reserve?
Mine is the old model with the ETA 2824-2. Now it comes with the Hamilton version of the Powermatic 80 which does indeed have an 80 hour power reserve.
Looks good but junk ! I bought a Khaki for 460€ which broke just beyond the one year guarantee . The face became 'disorientated ' due to no abrupt movement on my part . 230€ repair . Threw it away . I staying with Seiko .
Oh that is such a bummer! Maybe that was just a one off thing? I would have hoped Hamilton would have honored their warranty for that even though you were beyond the year. I do not blame you for going back to Seiko
I bought mine with discount 6 years ago for €260 42mm(ETA 28-24)still rolling like hell with 1-3 s/d.yours just a bad luck Richard.
Mark zuckerberg
Haha, indeed! Though you can bet that if I drop out of school to start the next billion dollar company I will still be talking watches!
The 3 bankrupt companies were: Ham, Mil and Ton. *badumtss*
Lol, if only that were true. In case you are wondering, the Keystone Standard, Aurora, and Lancaster Watch Companies are what were put together to become The Hamilton Watch Company
😂😂
First
Second
Needs a service ASAP.
Haha, I think you are right but I plan on wearing it until it stops working. Really interested to see how long it lasts