The Small But Mighty Watch - The Hamilton Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Review by WatchGecko
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- WatchGecko
KHAKI AVIATION PILOT PIONEER MECHANICAL - Your Next Watch Review
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Model Wrist Sizes
7 inches - 7.25 inches
Products featured;
KHAKI AVIATION PILOT PIONEER MECHANICAL
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Besford Premium Quality Genuine Leather Watch Strap - Shorter Length
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Cordura® Water-Repellent Watch Strap
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Genuine Vintage Bond NATO by Geckota
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Welcome back to Your Next Watch, an ongoing series that looks at the watches you’re considering buying at the moment and breaks them down based on real honest hands-on experience with them.
Today we have Hamilton’s follow up to the Khaki Mechanical that featured in our 10 for 10 series, the new 2019 Pilot Pioneer. Hamilton has looked towards their supplement of Hamilton W10 watches to the armed forces (specifically the Royal Air Force) from the 70s with this release.
Watches from this time period needed to be legible, durable as hell and compact. Let’s see if Hamilton has kept those key features and made them relevant for 2019 wrists…
The Hamilton Pilot Pioneer - What it does
When discussing the Khaki Mechanical earlier this year we talked about the watches ability to feel like a genuine authentic field watch from the history books. To be honest, the Pilot Pioneer is actually better suited to that statement.
The watch comes with at 36mm wide with a lug to lug length of 42mm and a thickness of 10mm. And I know what you’re thinking. ‘At 36mm this watch is just too small”. To be honest, you’re right, it is...on paper. These statistics don’t translate well to actual wrist time which I believe is a good thing.
It’s true that watches have started to become smaller with the slowing down of the big watch trend and ‘the rise of vintage’ but 36mm hasn’t quite become the norm yet.
The Hamilton harnesses a tonneau shape to the case which means we’re not so reliant on the case width to quickly determine a watches wrist presence. As this watch is essentially a 1 for 1 of an original military watch from the 70s the design feels relatively familiar.
The black dial keeps things simple and naturally suitably W10 like with just hours, minutes and seconds being presented to the wearer seen through the mineral crystal. Pencil/sword hands, Arabic numerals and a clean railroad seconds track complete the dial of the watch.
On the topic of the dial, the addition of the grain texture is welcomed and simply beautiful. It adds another dimension to the watch, oozing character. The Khaki Mechanical’s flat matt dial feels a little lacklustre on this...
The watch also comes with a vintage coloured lume for both the hands and indices, something which although many of us have become immune to the presence of is still welcomed and makes perfect sense here. Through the solid case back we have the H-50 hand-wound movement which is also found in the Khaki Field Mechanical and with 80 hours of power reserve, is pretty hard to knock. It feels smooth and reliable on the wrist, zero complaints here.
How does it wear? - a long weekend with the Hamilton Pilot Pioneer
For this on wrist segment, The Hamilton Pilot Pioneer receives a special road test as we head over to Germany. Travelling is heavily reliant on timing to ensure you’re in the right place at the right time; this suits the Hamilton down to a tee. Its distinct, clear dial means that quick glances down to the wrist to make sure a train isn't missed or there is plenty of time remaining before a flight are made a lot more efficient.
The watches shrunken size means it is incredibly comfortable and unobtrusive. 50% of the wearable thickness is down to the crystal, which in day to day wear it’s very easy to forget you’re even wearing the watch as the physical steel visible is so minuscule. The most prominent outcome of this is the watches ability to slip under jacket sleeves easily. Surprisingly it is actually refreshingly versatile as well. Throw it on the right strap and you'll be able to go from daily to evening attire effortlessly. Sure it's not a patch on the Cartier Tank or a Calatrava, but it's not embarrassingly inappropriate.
Finally smaller watches are coming
It really is a great watch!
I like this a lot, I also wish that the prs29a from timekeepers was more easily available
Why aren’t anti magnetic autos more common?!
It's good news for someone like me with a 6'' wrist
Great news for me, a lady with 5.2 inche wrists that loathe obnoxiously loud women's watches.
Decent sized watches, you mean.
I hope someday, Hamilton will release the Khaki Field in 36mm
I own the original military isue from 1988.
I love it so much more than the modern reisue
You never know!
Same
I hope it too
Bought one earlier this year. It's hardly been off my wrist. I absolutely love it.
Hi rich , I'm thinking of buying this watch . Had the crystal lasted with day to day use ???. Many thanks
Hamilton has gotten it this time. This is the perfect Watches size.
The original Khaki Field is also a great watch. Hamilton is killing it with these traditionally-sized hand-wounds.
They really are both great watches. Make sure to check out our review of the Khaki Field ruclips.net/video/u3HAr34jWzc/видео.html
Will pick this up if it's a sapphire crystal
2020 with Mineral Crystal, thats a real hard deal breaker.
Sapphire is also a must have for me at this price
@@tychovanvugt5531 ikr
Seriously everything is perfect except the lack of sapphire! Even acrylic would have been better! Mineral crystal scratches and cant be buffed. Game over
My sentiments exactly. If they do the cheaper model with sapphire (Khaki mechanical), they should do this one. I get the nostalga bit but its a new watch!
@@Canteaus you should go for CWC T20. Acrylic and for 200+ British pounds. The design is exactly the same (since the designer of the Hamilton moved to CWC)
I prefer the CWC mellor-72, although the 100m WR of the Hamilton is a nice bonus. Thanks for the video 👍
Man that's a beautiful watch and I like the size!
It really is a beautiful watch, Did you have a favourite strap combo?
Instant like. With the green strap it kind of remind me the feel of an Aquanaut... Am i crazy? Love it. And by the way your series are among the best on the web, thank you.
Thanks so much for the support! :D
Great review and love the fact your showing watches on different straps .
this guy deserves commission from Besford and Hamilton. Underrated channel!
Thanks for the review! This sealed the deal on this watch for me. Seeing it with that leather strap was a game changer - it’s going to be my only watch for awhile, and it looks amazing on that strap.
Great video. I’d love to get my hands on the pilot pioneer; very classy and understated!
It's definitely A watch you need in your hands Kyle!
Watch size is purely driven by fashion. There is no “perfect size” watch. 50 years ago most watches were quite small compared to today. The silly fad of oversized watches has finally just died recently and that was clearly fashion driven.
Wrong. Initially case size was based on only practical considerations, such as legibility. Consider the first Panerai or IWC pilots watches. The IWC was around 55mm because they were strapped to the pilot's thigh and needed to be easily read while flying.
Yeah, large watches are gauche. Glad to see a return to normalcy.
Just like phones. At some point you're practicely going to carry around a mini ipad if this charade keep going...
I received this watch a month ago. I really enjoy it everyday!!
Drilled lugs would look awful but a sapphire crystal would be a big improvement. I think it would be incredibly hard to make in sapphire because it’s such a complexed shape. I’m sure that’s why it’s a mineral crystal.
It may cause the same controversy. Speedmaster sapphire sandwich's milky ring turned down many people, that led them to buy the hesalite version. I think Hamilton is trying to aim high legibility on this watch, which mineral crystal would just be perfect as it scratches less than acrylic and doesn't form a milky ring like a sapphire crystal. Acrylic scratches more and the AR Coating might just wear off.
And that might be a well thought out decision but a wrong one from Hamilton.
Tippy Kaffu that’s a good point. The crystal is tall around the edge and drops deep into the case so that was probably a contributing factor too👍🏼 I’ve tried one on and they are tiny but I’m still tempted 😬
@@leeharding8306 you can get it if you like it.
The mineral crystal shouldn't really turn people down. I think it as a trade-off to the dial's grain texture.
The thing is, the watch is so small that you barely hit anything with the crystal. Thats what information I got from several owners of the new W10
Tippy Kaffu Owned it for about two months and no scratches so far, hoping to keep it that way, but yes the size of it means it’s pretty rare it’ll be banged against something, IVE managed to bang it a few times though but still no stretches
I've got a 1975 w10 had it for years still use it now & it's been to a few war zones never skipped a beat.
I quiet like this new case shape.
Love the green strap and the bond nato. Great picks. Prob gunna have to get these straps when I get the watch.
I love my watch, 36 are perfect and against the mainstream....
Our Videoquality is perfect, thank you very much
A fine review. You have given me an appetite for this watch.
That watch on the besford strap looks good.
The combination with the brown leather one is sick!!
You guys make the most beautifully shot reviews, subscribed!
I like this watch and your straps change just push it even higher. However, the Khaki field is also quite attractive if considering the price difference.
Thanks for the support Leya, which was your favourite strap combo?
@@watchgecko I would say the Cordura strap, just looks like it should be there since the beginning!
@@leyay7540 It definitely is a perfect match! Thats great to hear.
One of the best military watches I've ever seen. Really excellent...
For anyone wondering whether they should buy it - do it! Honestly fell in love with it straight away.
What is your wrist size?
Perfect size. Right watch for right man.
Love it! Perfect size!!!!
Sounds like the perfect watch for you Daniel!
U.S. soldiers used from WWII until after Vietnam watches between 34 and 36 mm.
If those men used those "little" wristwatches right on the battlefield, why is it now considered that a 36mm is "too small" for a man?
Do you think that a 45 mm Invicta would give better service at Omaha Beach than a "dirty dozen" of 34 mm?
I like smaller watches too, but the average GI in WW2 was 5'8'' and 150 lbs.
@@jackh7504 Hey! Those are my measurements! :)
The Invicta is certainly not an option there as its size and bling will be seen from miles away.
@@user-et8vm9cc3t "Meine commander I suspect that the allies are approaching 20 nautical miles from us, I have seen an Invicta shine"
That's all there were! Until some one woke up and made real watches like Marathon, Gshocks and the likes! What's with you little guys have to keep saying real men wear small watches?
This is going to my next watch. Last year I went for a Tissot PRX. Wish I had found this Hamilton sooner. I definitely prefer this classic
having just got one myself I can say that the numeral printing on mine is much cleaner around the edges than the one in this video. So if the blurry edges on the "10" were putting you off, don't let it.
I have the Besford on my old style Seiko Alpinist and it’s sublime. Think this Hamilton might be my next addition.
Just ordered this beauty... Can't wait.. I love the size, the retro looks, the fact that it's very legible (yes I don't mind the glass they use! This one is more clear and won't shatter like sapphire), the hand winding and no date.... It's just a total winner
How do you like it?
@@thisoldbelair sold it! It was a really good watch, but I decided to save up for a more special piece (oyster perpetual 36mm)..
I didn't see many negatives to be honest. The crown was a little bit rough in terms of finishing. It's definitely not Omega
... abs the grey dial is beautiful but i realised that I prefer a deeper black
@@Valera_Scotland thanks for sharing! Good luck on the oyster goals, that will be sweet!
I dig the simplistic style and size but does it retail for so much?! The mineral crystal doesn’t even bother me, but I’m trying to wrap my head around the price and justifying it.
Might be true that mineral glass is cheaper than sapphire glass (always depends on production volumes...), but this is a conscious decision by Hamilton to ensure maximum glass clarity (which is stunning). That highly curved shape with a sapphire glass brings "milky" effect.
It sounds like you need directing towards the CWC mellor-72
@@nodidog I think that, if I went for either of these brands I'd go for the CWC. It's almost half the price of the Hamilton. Both of these companies had their names on this watch in the 70s and CWC probably produced more of them. In their modern guises, I don't think either of these two companies has much in the way of a direct lineage to the companies that existed in the 1970s so, both have equal (or no) claim to authenticity but, CWC do seem to have stayed closer to the original spec - I think theirs has fixed lugs and a Plexiglass crystal, a push on back but you only get 50m water resistance compared to 100m on the Hamilton - so, maybe, if you know that one day you may have to bail out over the sea, the Hamilton would be the one to go for, but, otherwise, unless you dislike the more authentic features, the CWC is far better value.
Baltany is a new Chinese brand that seems to be churning out some nice looking military tribute watches covering most of the classic styles. They tend to use cheaper movements from the likes of Seagull, Miyota and Seiko but, if you're looking to get in right in at the bargain basement level, they are definitely worth a look. To my mind, although their other styles seem to stick pretty close to the feel of the originals, their take on the G10 looks a bit on the chunky side. I think that one of the early 80s Quartz models from CWC was famously a bit chunky, so, maybe the Baltany is taking its queue from there, rather than the original 70s mechanicals
This is it. This is the one.
I just took this watch off my wrist. Love it, definitely one of my favorite field watches.
Thats great to hear, Which was your favourite Strap combo?
The Cordura strap for sure, gives it an even more military look. I will be ordering one soon!
One of the best watches I own! Love this watch.
No sapphire crystal is a deal breaker. Also no drilled lugs, and the ‘mechanical’ on the dial has to go. Also not crazy about the polished hands, though they’re correct.
I opted for the Khaki mechanical. I love it.
CWC Mellor 72 seems a better choice. I like the acrylic crystal , fixed lugs and much lower price.
38mm and under are comfortable for me,dont want 40mm or over.dont want big ben on my wrist.thats why I like my seiko5s and my vintage handwinding timexs which are 38mm and under .smallest is my timex boy scout mechanical watch about 36mm but feels great on my small wrist.
One day this watch will be mine 😍
Great release
Definitely! Which was your favourite strap combo?
Its a strap monster!
Mineral crystal??
At one point you suggested that a green NATO was period correct, whereas the supplied grey NATO is pretty close the original "G10" strap colour.
Although, as you said, Hamilton also sell this on a leather NATO strap, this puts the price up by another £50. I don't think it would have done you any harm whatsoever to show off one of your leather NATOs, which are better looking, cheaper and are probably more than a match for the original Hamilton strap on quality.
I could pick up a green, khaki, or a "Bond" NATO from just about anywhere but you still have to go looking for a decent leather NATO, especially with an 18mm lug width.
I like this one more than the khaki mechanical
The hamilton khaki field mechanical watch reissue from 1960s watch is amazing with sapphire glass on it. Just wonder why this watch is more pricey than that with only 100 water resist better than khaki mechanical with the same H-50 movement. I already bought khaki field mechanical.
I like the look of it, and the dial is less busy than the Khaki. Mineral crystal though??
Thanks for the video , I love this Watch , its Amazing 👍👍
Beautiful video , thank you 🙏
For the Cordura watch strap.. your website only lists 20mm lug width as the lowest - was the 18mm removed?
my biggest complain is about the crystal.it shouldn't have mineral crystal.
Mineral is much more legible, basically disappears, and it is historically accurate.
@@fiercekrypton Not really, the original (Like what CWC still sells) used an acrylic crystal. Way more shatter-resistant.
The size is fine, it a mineral glass crystal is unacceptable! I would rather have an acrylic over mineral any day. At least I can easily buff scratches out! Although at the price point I expect a sapphire crystal.
Another 36mm watch I'll need to look into to add to my Rolex 116000, Tudor BB36, and Longines Heritage Conquest :) The Pilot Pioneer has a cleaner dial than the Khaki Field ... sharp looking!
Very nice looking watch. I am interested in the accuracy that was not mentioned. I buy a watch for it's accuracy. If it's not accurate then it's just a fancy braclet
Anyone know what size crystal this watch uses? I just hit mine on the edge of my kitchen counter and it cracked in half... Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!!
Did you ever find out how to replace it or did you just send the piece into Hamilton?
@@jgo8305 I couldn't find the exact crystal and just ended up selling it on eBay as is.
@@1ceCold037 damn
@@jgo8305 It's a very particular crystal. I had taken the watch to a repair shop and they tried many crystals, but none fit. They said their only option was to order one from Hamilton for around $150.
I really wish it was a bit bigger, like 40mm
Love the case shape of this historic model. I dislike the big lug gaps of the khaki field mechanical.
such a beautiful watch and perfect for my small wrist.. just thinking how I can justify the price tag..
Great watch, small case size and small lug to lug. Hope this watch will be in automatic as well
Either put a sapphire or acrylic crystal. They should’ve gone to the far end of modern or far end of past. Mineral is a cough out.
Acrylic would have been awesome.
Is the chestnut sold out? Is it 18mm or 19mm in video?
You can keep trying to convince yourself its not small but it is for me & I don't wear anything typically over 40. The watch is beautiful though & would definitely be a buyer if it were a bit larger
Due to the shape of the case it will wear larger than a round watch. Probably a better fit for you than you realize.
@@matthewdavis8199 I appreciate your input but I'm a pretty seasoned collector & it is simply to small for me.
@@512bb the two pieces that get the most time on my wrist are an Omega SMPC at 41mm and a Glashutte Original Senator Panorama Date at 40mm, but I think I'm going to pick this Hammy up despite its smaller size. My hope is it will make for a solid little beater, and I especially love the interaction with manual wind movements.
@@matthewdavis8199 I love the Glahutte's, sadly a much under-appreciated brand. I really wish I could get away with that size but it just doesn't work for me. And I agree if your a true watch guy you must own a manual winder. I'm really considering buying the new Laco for something a bit different.
@@512bb I've been looking lovingly at Sinn 556 variations as an alternate tool/field watch option. No manual wind models though. Laco definitely offers great value for money. I would look at Long Island Watch when buying one. I emailed LIW about midnight EST on a Friday evening, and amazingly I got a response within minutes from Marc himself!
Lovely watch buddy..... some day.........
Thanks for the vid🤙🏽.
Great video and beautiful watch ⌚ 👌
I've been looking at serica watches and their WWW. they're both sub 38mm vintage inspired field watches with 100m WR. So it's already better than the khaki mechanical imo, but how do you think it stacks up to this pioneer? Very interested in your opinion!
Best,
Robert
Complimenti! Che belle immagini! Bravissimi! Chi vince tra il Khaki Field 38 mm H69439931 e il Pilot Pioneer Mechanical 36x33?
Love if, big Hamilton fan
Thats great Richard! Which was your favourite strap combo?
Can’t you fit 20mm natos on 18mm lugs?
I prefer 37 to 39 mm. This Hamilton looks great with 36 mm. 40 mm could fit, it depends on the lug to lug measure.
The only thing stopping me from buying this watch is the mineral crystal. ALL OF MY MINERAL CRYSTAL WATCHES HAVE SCRATCHES. a huge deal breaker for me.
Definitely understandable but sometimes scratches add character :D
Great watch
Agreed! Which was your favourite strap combo?
If I had to pick one It'd be the cordura
@@astroboi9017 Great Pick! :D
great size, but this minute hand is so thin it's not very legible. good job on getting the size right though.
No lume shot ..?
How come the Pioneer costs twice as much as the khaki field? Rip off
看上去不错。
Really nice review thank you. I agree with you in the changes that could have been. Also wish the case size would have been at least a 40mm.
replace the mineral with a sapphire crystal and add anti magnetic protection(not a must but would be nice) and id gladly pay a thousand dollars for it!
A true utilitarian no nonsense field watch...if field/military watches are your thing then this is a grail
Real man wear 36mm watches!!!
Real man wears whatever he likes.
Lol I've never seen any of the guys in my unit wear a small 36mm watch and these guys are true men. It's Gshocks Marathon and a few others. Yes they used to wear small watches but only because that's all there was.
Nathan Chisholm what he means by real men are watch enthusiasts with small wrists that proliferate the internet
Idiot
Real men don't worry or need to know the time.
When is Hamilton going to release a dial similar to the “Dirty Dozen” with a sub-dial @ 6 o’clock ?? That would be awesome
Its 80 ours power reserve,but i want wind my watch every morning as day rutine. Can you help me how can i do it witouth overwinding? How many times shoud i wind crown every morning
I've bought it last feb and having an automatic I was curious on how long it can work without winding, it doesn't last 80 h nonetheless I didn't want the wind it every day so every couple of days is the right timing
I like small size watches but not smaller than 38mm.
38 is not smaller.
Very appealing watch however diameter is not 36mm. It is a little bit more 35mm. , only 5bars water resistant and have not sapphire Cyristal.
it's 36mm i checked it. Also, it has 100m water resistance. the only downside is the mineral crystal.
As a massive fan of hamilton, i'm now angry i need to add another to my "to buy" list.. Need a black dial khaki field, also the khaki field mechanical, THIS and a gold intramatic 38mm.. Damnit hamilton stop making me buy stuff.. i need to buy food too.. atleast my waifu says so :(
cool 🏆
Thanks Dave!
Everything is perfect except the price
If you're not sure about the size suiting you why not buy an Eaglemoss replica from Ebay for only five pounds and try it for a few days before deciding on the Hamilton?
Can you swim with this watch ?
That's "Pierced-Lugs", not "Drilled-Lugs"! Do they make a sapphire crystal for it?
36MM-39MM LONG LIVE THE SMALLER SIZES!!!!
How to get Hamilton Khaki without labels at the front except name of the brand? At their site i find only with "Khaki automatic" label.
The pioneer is a bit too pricey. For half of the price of the Pioneer I can buy for now a CWC MELLOR 72 Handwind or automatic. Afterwards, the pioneer might be acquired.
Describing a genuine leather strap as "premium quality" is misleading when genuine leather is the lowest quality leather you can buy. Only top grain leather should be described as "premium quality" because top grain leather is actually premium quality.
The strap in this video looks like top grain leather, genuine leather like you describe is smooth and looks like plastic, that strap certainly isn’t that kinda leather
The term genuine leather is used pretty loosely
Jack Penman Since genuine leather is an actual type of leather, and not a premium leather, but the lowest quality leather, it’s misleading to describe genuine leather as “premium” when it’s just isn’t premium. If businesses decide to mislead others with incorrect descriptions, that’s simply wrong.
The size of the watch is fine for me. I think it looks superb. But the mineral glass is unforgivable at this price. £700 for a watch that will get scratched very easily is a no go for me. May as well go and buy an original off Ebay for a fraction of the price. Although with the release of this watch I suspect the price of the vintage ones will go up substantially.
Had it for two months and no scratches so far and hoping it stays that way
Jack Penman not everyone is as clumsy as me. Hope you’re enjoying that watch. It’s a stunner!!
Me too, I’m out.
Why do I get an aquanaut vibe from this watch ? Lol
A domed mineral glass crystal seems like a terrible idea, and is utterly absurd at this price point. Deal killer on an otherwise awesome watch.
Sorry... Still not for x2 the cost of Khaki Mechanical.