The Powermatic 80 exist in 3 different configurations. The C07.1xx with a synthetic or plastic escapement. The C07.6xx with a regular escapement. And the C07.8xx with a silicium hair spring. The C07.1xx versions can be found in multiple Tissot and Certina watches but not all. I'm pretty sure that Hamilton only use the C07.6xx serie of the Powermatic 80.
The real slam dunk would've been a 12-hour rotating bezel. Use as a second time zone or time your hikes over hours. It would have provided the same diver-esque bezel aesthetic without trying to be a diver... and it would actually have been useful.
I gotta say after getting the khaki field titanium, the powermatic 80 is such an amazing movement for a field watch. Mine somehow is under +/- 1 second and the fact that it holds power for a few days is amazing.
I for one use bezels all the time for timing. Any rotating bezel can work for this. Compass style or otherwise. Maybe I'm just obsessed with timing short trips or quick runs to the store but I find them quite useful and fun.
My Hamilton expedition keeps a healthy +2 seconds a day without COSC certification. This is Rolex Superlative Chronometer territory. And I am in love. Is my daily beater.
great explained as usual , you cleared points most of other watch geeks haven‘t even think of while just praising this hamilton expedition… i went back buying one of the most clean rolex date just ever made the 126300 with silver dial, smooth bezel an jubilee bracelet… have a nice week
Excellent, super thorough video, thank you. I'm very happy about the 37mm size. Like Tissot with the Seastar 36mm and PRX 35mm, mainstream Swatch Group brands are finally releasing smaller comfy unisex versions. I believe that this movement has a free sprung balance regulated at the factory which should offset any loss of accuracy resulting from the lower beat rate. Personally, even with a compass bezel I find field watches exceptionally dull so this isn't for me, but Hamilton have done a good job.
Thank you for clarifying that plastic component rumor. I have heard countless youtubers talk about it without prove. I even thought about opening my Powermatic 80 for that reason!
There are at least three variants of the powermatic 80. One has a “synthetic” escapement, but it’s not in the hamilton. The PRX has the synthetic escapement 😀
Cheers! Re-watching this a year later and I’m sold! I’ve had 5 different Hamilton Khakis that I’ve bought and sold, but I think this will be the one to keep forever!
Can not understand why they did not invite you to Canada. And even that, you made the best review of this watch in tbe hole youtube !!! Great. I just bought my 41 mm expedition and it is 100% as you described. Thanks
I would love to see a rotating pulsometer bezel on this (or any field) watch. Calculating a heart rate on a hike (expedition) would actually be a fairly useful thing
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch The problem with that would be the aesthetics of exactly the same numbers in two rows on the dial. And you can't time hours that way. I don't think this idea would really work.
Very cool watch. Prices have gone up with all watches including Hamilton. My Hamilton Khaki King, although not as robust, was purchased 7 years ago for $340 on a bracelet.
Good Video. I've just purchased the 37mm Black on the Bracelet. You are spot on, nobody needs the compass bezel. The main reason I bought the watch was because the Bezel looks great like on a dive watch😊
The inertia of the heavier case and the SEIKO movement would greatly help it with surviving actual usage in the field: aka shooting. However the shitty hardlex is a meeh...
About to buy mine tomorrow. 41 mm black face with leather strap. Getting a black plastic strap as well for more active/outdoors days. I was torn between getting a new dive or field, then came across the expedition which is the perfect mix!
Tbh - I tried it in store, so didn't get a huge amount of different scenarios with it (sunlight, moonlight, different lighting fixture types). Generally the Khakis have such flat, non-reflective dials that it hasn't tended to be a problem for me, but there are situations where it can be an issue 😃😃
Been using 37 mm white dial with the nato strap for about two weeks. It's my first ever mechanical watch, so I am not an expert on the subject by any means. All I can say is that it feels and looks great while keeping excellent time -around -2 secs per day.
I use my dive bezels daily when I’m cooking and my GMT bezels regularly when I’m travelling so many of us do use them. BTW another very good, well considered review, I like your style and even better than the ID Guy. Sorry you don’t have enough viewers to go to Banff but you’ll get there with quality content like this. 😅
I did alot of research on smaller field watches and decided to go buy a 37mm Expedition, but when I got to the AD, they had just received the new Field Mechanical White dial WITHOUT Fauxtina. I agree with you on the dual tone presentation, it looks better than 3 colors. I ended up buying the Mechanical instead because it looked so sleek and surprisingly fit my 6 inch wrist well despite the 47mm Lug to Lug.
I've always wanted to like Hamilton, but something was missing and I don't know what. For the price point, it's been a great value, no doubt. True, the leather is best with the watch IMO. Perhaps it might grow on me. As usual, seeing any watch in person is best. I'll save up more and get a good grey market Explorer 1. Love your channel!
Super chill for a saturday evening! :) Hamilton should have gone all in and made a 24 hour navigator watch. It makes so much more sense. Point the hour hand the same direction as shadows, and north would be in the 12 o'clock direction. (Edit: Noon must ofcourse be at 12 o'clock, rather than the standard of having midnight being at the 12-oclock.)
Great vid, I have a Khaki 38mm and love it. I will invite to Banff for Hamiltons next field release as I am not far away. I pass3d on the Tudor field. Please do an analysis vid on the 36 or 40mm Explorer. Thank you for your time and insights. Regards, Starlight
Mike are Cartier vintage quartz movements from the 80s good to high quality how many yrs use will I get it if is from 2012? I have an Ebel wave in ss new from 2023 is the quartz movement from Cartier and of high quality? I wanted a slim retro style dress watch and I do not want to duplicate what I have. Your Thoughts please. Starlight
Great review sir! I have the Khaki Field auto in 38mm and love it , on my smaller wrist , the 38 is perfect , but they do wear big for that size. This watch could be my next purchase ,as a companion, but not a replacement for my Field Auto?? Cheers Gregg.
Great review! I was going to pull then trigger on the Tudor BB54 but tried this Hamilton 37mm on a few days ago and wow!! I am almost gutted it fits me amazingly well … what did you think BB54 Or this….!??
I like them both but BB54 all the way for me. It's better in every technical way and from a design perspective I prefer it. If it didn't exist, the expedition would be in the runnning 😃😃 But don't listen to me - Buy what speaks to you .❤️
Great review thank you i jhave the khaki field but this is looks reew & I like the bezel but why the compass & do 2:26 you use the sun or stars hiking ? Why mot fill the markers with black they are hard’y visible biut it won’t put me off from buying one !!
They could have made a gmt version of the watch. A useful complication for a field watch. Date or no date. Then there are 2 bezel options a fixed or rotating one. Rotating bezel could be a by directional countdown or gmt to track a 3rd zone. Different colors for bezel and gmt hand to have even more options. Where I’m going with it? A highly customizable field watch similar to what Laco and Stowa offer with their fliegers. Swatch already offers an affordable true gmt in Mido Ocean Star GMT. As to the compass you can get a small one to clip on your watch strap.
So, from their current catalogue, which Hamilton would you pick as your favorite, good sir? The one that you would consider buying, worth the money, and has the best design overall.
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Oh, I was about to buy the Murph but got scared by its reflective crystal. Now I'm eyeing Sinn, and that's after watching your Tudor - Rolex - Sinn comparison video. So, Thanks a bunch for the videos, Sir.
I noticed you didn't include the Fortis F-39 or 41 pilot's watch. It appears to me as ultra rugged field watch with a multi- use bezel. Your thoughts?? JNRA
I must say, the blue Hamilton expedition in 40mm really looks spectacular in person. I think it needs to be on leather. The bracelet in person is a clunker.
I badly needed an explorer alternative but not something too obviously homaged like a Traska or Lorier. I hear you, it wears like a BB54. Would you say it wears like a 36mm explorer? I currently have bb58, so the 36mm black bay is a no. What other options are out there that's 36-37mm?
Worth a look - A little expensive. Haven't seen them in the metal, but they have something tuulwatches.com/collections/filthy-13/products/filthy-13-stainless-steel-white-dial
I agree and think people are being far too whiny about the bezel. I like it.. and it can still be used to track time the way I use my diver watch bezels.
Leather quality can’t be judged by its suppleness. Shoes for example, Italian dress shoes have supple and comfort right out of the box, but they are not meant to be worn out on a hike; for that purpose you would get some Pacific Northwest boots that take a little time (and pain) to break in. The same concept should be applied to watch straps.I believe the leather strap offered by Hamilton with this watch is the right one, it will break in with time and a little bit of conditioning oils while at the same time gathering patina and character.
I know it’s a pilots watch but how can you leave out the spirit 37 ?! For me it’s in the same ballpark as your field watch comparison. What are your thoughts on it ? Explorer is still the king but can’t justify that marcha. There allot more watch you can get for 150k !
I do agree - A glaring omission. Got a video coming on the spirit 37. It's HUGE value for money - movement, power reserve, finishing, design, size. Really a big fan. 😃😃
I'm glad Hamilton is moving away from their old lugs. I like that brushed surface more that the blasted khaki mechanical. I wear sometimes 18000 watches. I know that's half of the hi-beat frequency, it's as charming, just in a different way. 21600 is not an issue.
I think it's a cool look. The "compass" is... well I wouldn't say it's useless, but it's not far off it. The thing is, it's not actually a compass but something compass-like. You need to have the sun showing at all times in order to orient the watch so that the compass is accurate. I do a lot of navigation at night, and also during the day the sky is in full cloud, or fog/mist and well.... in those times the bezel is completely useless. But you know all of this. It's just for style points. I much prefer a diver with countdown bezel which is more useful. A titanium on nato for lightness is great for my outdoor navigation, with a Garmin on my main wrist.
What are your thoughts about the Longines Spirit 37? I almost bought a Khaki and realized putting the “aviation” Spirit on a nato IS the far superior field watch
That might be the best watch in the world right now. In fact, it's so good that they absolutely had to ruin it a bit by making the crown non-screw down (unlike the 40 and 42mm options where it screws down normally - they had to mess up the date windows in those models). Because that seems to be the new trend these days - make a perfect watch and then ruin it with an obligatory half-assed detail. Like this Hamilton - let's make a killer piece for the money and then add a bloody compass bezel... Wait, what?? It's like making a cake and then glazing it with fish oil... Sorry for the rant.
The non screw down doesn’t bother me at all, it’s a very sturdy crown. In fact, i saw a teddy baldesarre video with a watch maker that stated unless it’s a diver it’s better without as there are no threads to wear over time.
@@mosquitojoyride I saw that too. To be fair, the only reason it bugs me is that they put a screw down crown on the 40 and 42mm options, and then somehow magically decided against it on the 37mm. And personally, if a watch has 100m of water resistance, I will absolutely take it swimming and snorkelling. So a screw down crown is just a welcomed safety feature that prevents pulling it out by accident.
Good question: I have a video in the works about it. Short version - Till now I’ve seen the IWC mark xx as the ultimate dress flieger. I’m pretty sure the Longines is as good and possibly better than the IWC for 1/3 of the price. But the final verdict will have to wait for the video 😀
What I noticed immediately when this model was released is that it seems like a direct response to the many criticisms of those frustrated with critical oversights in the latest round of Khaki Field Titanium Autos in 38mm - AR coating, screw-down crown, and contrasting hands against the black dial. However, instead of simply updating that model and potentially cannibalizing sales of existing stock, they released a new model that fixes these issues but loses what made the titanium version great - titanium case, dial with 24hr markings and 1/3s hashes, lumed numerals, precise syringe-style hands, clean bezel, and sleekly curved lugs. The 100m WR people keep talking about was already there. I'm so frustrated they didn't simply fix these oversights on the titanium model. I dislike the compass bezel, the fact that it's steel, faux vintage lume, no lume on the numerals, less precise gradations and hands, and chunkier lugs. I do like 37mm with a shorter lug-to-lug and a slimmer profile, but other than that, the other design changes are all for the worse, in my opinion. I truly wish Hamilton would simply correct these oversights in the titanium autos, since they just cheaped out the first time around with no AR coating or screw-down-crown, but I can see why they don't want to make something so obviously better than existing offerings.
Saw this model in person in Geneva last month. Looks very good indeed. But since I already have a seiko field master JDM with a compass bezel have no need for this one.
The compass makes it a "fake" fieldwatch to me. I wish they would have gone the route of a count up bezel like the Sinn 104, if they didn't want to have a count down bezel.
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Yes people get a bit confused by the rebranding of the ETA 2824-2. I always wonder at the ways the Swiss manage to sell decades old stuff as "innovation" for top money.
If a watch has a N, S, E, W on the bezel, I do not buy it. I'm not a heathen, I know what a compass looks like and do not need that showing on my wrist. (even worse when you pay good money on a watch). Casio ABC watch, no problem, but a tool watch no way. And before you say it helps you navigate with the sun, you can do that without the letters printed anywhere on the watch, you can do this with a coin and get general sense of direction.
The Rolex Explorer really pushes the boundaries of the definition of a field watch and I would say - oversteps them. Field watches should be matt black (or a dark color), with little to no polish and printed indices. The Explorer I is none of these things. The more tooly field watches also have all arabic indices, with a 24-hour chapter inboard. The Tudor Ranger is much closer to the true field watch aesthetic.
I like the look and shape however that compass bezel ruins it for me, its serves no real purpose. If they kept that bezel shape but put world time bezel markings on instead of the compass, then it'd tick all the boxes for me
I am not sure about this. Anybody that buys this is someone that buys brand equity and locational value. If the name "Hamilton" and "Swiss Made" is of value to you then the $1000 price tag might be worth it. There is better value to be found elsewhere. I would for example rather go for a Formex Field Automatic or Marathon's General Purpose Mechanical or say a Bulova like that "Hack Watch" of theirs. Then we haven't even looked at titans like Seiko or Timex. Enjoy the rugby Mike! 😁💪
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch I'd rather have that Sinn too! Gorgeous and practical. Yeah, lets hope the French go down without too much of a fight haha! Enjoy it and have a great week!
And we all thank for the recycling of M777s and the scrap finding its way to China for the resurrection of relatively affordable titanium watch case options recently.
I don’t get field watches at all. Yes the history but I put my money on proper Lundhags boots and back pack and modern Fjällräven field clothes. The watch is a G-shock. Basta
I can appreciate this watch but I don't think I'm interested in it. It feels like it's trying to be an Alpinist and the extra tool look makes it less of an all arounder than the Khaki auto and King.
You are too charitable in your analysis. I think the new designs are a major step backwards. They are schizophrenic. They abandoned a cohesive and classic design language and instead you get something that looks like it's trying to be a souped up Seiko 5 but instead of souped up it looks watered down. The compass bezel is, as you noted, perfectly useless and therefore superfluous, which from a functionalist design perspective is simply unforgivable. To me these new Khakis fall into the same category of the re-designed Air King. They tried to fix something that wasn't broken and in the process destroyed an iconic design.
I'm not a fan of Hamilton and will not buy it. A few years ago I purchased the Hamilton Khaki Field from the Hodinkee website. Within 2 weeks of wear the crown snapped off like a toothpick. No crown guards on a non screw in big crown manual wind watch equals trouble. I tried to get money back from Hodinkee but they referred me back to the Hamilton Warranty service centre. When I contacted them they were very unhelpful. They had a back log of repairs (not a good sign) and wanted 6 weeks to inspect the watch to establish quality control. I was frustrated and took the watch to my independent watchmaker who replaced the crown stem for $30. My watchmaker said the stem had corroded. Total rubbish watch components. I sold it.
I've heard some wild stories about hamilton QC - including fogging up glass and whatnot. The watches though do look good and have never had the issues myself 😃😃
I GO DOWN TO THE AD AND WEAR IT!!!!!!!! IT’S ALMOST LIKE THE COMPANIES HAVE THESE PURPOSE BUILT DISPLAYS WHERE YOU CAN TRY THE WATCHES OUT BEFORE YOU CHOOSE TO BUY!
for 1000 euros you have a printed dial and a compass bezel not even ceramic with not purpose in modern world! Tissot actually uses a mix of materials is not plastic and cost under 1000 dollars! Also, gives more features than Hamilton!
Tissot does have a plastic escapement. I’ve seen a powermatic 80 being dissembled, but as far as I know this is exclusive to Tissot.
True - we agree that it's not the case in the hamilton 😃
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch 100%
The Powermatic 80 exist in 3 different configurations. The C07.1xx with a synthetic or plastic escapement. The C07.6xx with a regular escapement. And the C07.8xx with a silicium hair spring. The C07.1xx versions can be found in multiple Tissot and Certina watches but not all. I'm pretty sure that Hamilton only use the C07.6xx serie of the Powermatic 80.
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatchwhew! I was hoping that this was the case!
The real slam dunk would've been a 12-hour rotating bezel. Use as a second time zone or time your hikes over hours. It would have provided the same diver-esque bezel aesthetic without trying to be a diver... and it would actually have been useful.
Interesting perspective - Didn't think of that. You may very well be right 😃
I don’t mind the compass. It’s unique. It’s okay to be different 🙃 that’s why we collect.
It would be so good if an aftermarket option would become available .
They used to make that very watch. With screw down crowns
Would’ve been good with a GMT hand and fixed bezel like the explorer 2
This man is an analyst!
Rather than someone who shares details and opinions
That sounds like a compliment. Thank you 😀😀
For real
Loved this more technical yet easy to absorb review. Not many others on RUclips doing the same. thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it 😀
I gotta say after getting the khaki field titanium, the powermatic 80 is such an amazing movement for a field watch. Mine somehow is under +/- 1 second and the fact that it holds power for a few days is amazing.
Lucky you for sure 😃😃
Me too
I for one use bezels all the time for timing. Any rotating bezel can work for this. Compass style or otherwise. Maybe I'm just obsessed with timing short trips or quick runs to the store but I find them quite useful and fun.
A little bit of OCD never hurt anyone 😃😃
I'm the same and I've just got one 😂😂
My Hamilton expedition keeps a healthy +2 seconds a day without COSC certification.
This is Rolex Superlative Chronometer territory.
And I am in love.
Is my daily beater.
Good analysis, Mike. Agreed that the bezel, while pointless, does make it interesting.
Thanks, also for stopping by 😃👍
great explained as usual , you cleared points most of other watch geeks haven‘t even think of while just praising this hamilton expedition… i went back buying one of the most clean rolex date just ever made the 126300 with silver dial, smooth bezel an jubilee bracelet… have a nice week
Thanks - You too! 😃😃
Excellent, super thorough video, thank you.
I'm very happy about the 37mm size. Like Tissot with the Seastar 36mm and PRX 35mm, mainstream Swatch Group brands are finally releasing smaller comfy unisex versions.
I believe that this movement has a free sprung balance regulated at the factory which should offset any loss of accuracy resulting from the lower beat rate.
Personally, even with a compass bezel I find field watches exceptionally dull so this isn't for me, but Hamilton have done a good job.
Fully agree when it comes to field watches. They are often just too simple for me.
Give me a bezel, or a gmt function - something to spice it up 😀😀
I thoroughly enjoy your videos and assessment of watches!
Thanks - Glad you enjoy them 😃😃
Thank you for clarifying that plastic component rumor. I have heard countless youtubers talk about it without prove. I even thought about opening my Powermatic 80 for that reason!
There are at least three variants of the powermatic 80. One has a “synthetic” escapement, but it’s not in the hamilton. The PRX has the synthetic escapement 😀
Cheers! Re-watching this a year later and I’m sold! I’ve had 5 different Hamilton Khakis that I’ve bought and sold, but I think this will be the one to keep forever!
Can not understand why they did not invite you to Canada. And even that, you made the best review of this watch in tbe hole youtube !!! Great. I just bought my 41 mm expedition and it is 100% as you described. Thanks
Nope... No invite for me. Maybe next year 😀😀
I would love to see a rotating pulsometer bezel on this (or any field) watch. Calculating a heart rate on a hike (expedition) would actually be a fairly useful thing
That would be cool 😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch The problem with that would be the aesthetics of exactly the same numbers in two rows on the dial. And you can't time hours that way. I don't think this idea would really work.
Very cool watch. Prices have gone up with all watches including Hamilton. My Hamilton Khaki King, although not as robust, was purchased 7 years ago for $340 on a bracelet.
Everything is expensive these days 😀😀😀🙈
Good Video. I've just purchased the 37mm Black on the Bracelet. You are spot on, nobody needs the compass bezel. The main reason I bought the watch was because the Bezel looks great like on a dive watch😊
There ya go! It's a winner 😃😃
Me too, hybrid character of this watch is indispensable and a winner for me...
I'm divided between the 41 and the 37 in black with a bracelet. Any tips? What's your wrist size?
The Seiko “tortoise” is a good alternative with a compass bezel.
True. Hadn’t actually crossed my mind 😀
I love my green tortoise.
The inertia of the heavier case and the SEIKO movement would greatly help it with surviving actual usage in the field: aka shooting. However the shitty hardlex is a meeh...
@@rosomak8244 the tortoise uses sapphire
The tortoise’s are actually sapphire. One of the reasons I chose it.
About to buy mine tomorrow. 41 mm black face with leather strap. Getting a black plastic strap as well for more active/outdoors days. I was torn between getting a new dive or field, then came across the expedition which is the perfect mix!
I use my timing bezel to grill steaks 🥩😎. I’m not a big fan of field watches but I do love my Explorer.
Good choice! 😃(Steak and explorer) 😃
Most Hamilton H-10 movements have +-1sn accuracy, really unbelievable 👍❤️
The compass bezel is a nice addition. This Hamilton model is a good looking watch.
Agree .😀
Boet I love your channel. Shoutout from Sydney via Jo'burg.
Hey, thanks! Enjoy the weather (europe is a freezer at the mo...) 😃😃
I'm always perplexed that Hamilton never seemed to discover AR coating. Any thoughts on that on this watch? Was glare an issue?
Tbh - I tried it in store, so didn't get a huge amount of different scenarios with it (sunlight, moonlight, different lighting fixture types). Generally the Khakis have such flat, non-reflective dials that it hasn't tended to be a problem for me, but there are situations where it can be an issue 😃😃
In this one the AR coating is much better for sure. I tried the khaki auto and this one is much better.@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch
Master, you are genius reader and narrator… Thank you
Thanks 😀
Been using 37 mm white dial with the nato strap for about two weeks. It's my first ever mechanical watch, so I am not an expert on the subject by any means. All I can say is that it feels and looks great while keeping excellent time -around -2 secs per day.
I use my dive bezels daily when I’m cooking and my GMT bezels regularly when I’m travelling so many of us do use them. BTW another very good, well considered review, I like your style and even better than the ID Guy. Sorry you don’t have enough viewers to go to Banff but you’ll get there with quality content like this. 😅
I'm a huge fan of ID Guy, so that's big praise for me. Thanks. We'll see... Maybe they will some day. 😃😃
Nice review. I have used a watch timing bezel daily for decades - and used them in the past for SCUBA diving.
I did alot of research on smaller field watches and decided to go buy a 37mm Expedition, but when I got to the AD, they had just received the new Field Mechanical White dial WITHOUT Fauxtina.
I agree with you on the dual tone presentation, it looks better than 3 colors. I ended up buying the Mechanical instead because it looked so sleek and surprisingly fit my 6 inch wrist well despite the 47mm Lug to Lug.
I've always wanted to like Hamilton, but something was missing and I don't know what. For the price point, it's been a great value, no doubt. True, the leather is best with the watch IMO. Perhaps it might grow on me. As usual, seeing any watch in person is best.
I'll save up more and get a good grey market Explorer 1.
Love your channel!
It seems we use the term "milled clasp" a little loosely based on appearance. The Expedition clasp is stamped with milled features.
Fair point - Will remember to more precise 😃
Super chill for a saturday evening! :)
Hamilton should have gone all in and made a 24 hour navigator watch. It makes so much more sense. Point the hour hand the same direction as shadows, and north would be in the 12 o'clock direction.
(Edit: Noon must ofcourse be at 12 o'clock, rather than the standard of having midnight being at the 12-oclock.)
Glad you enjoyed it! 😃
Great detailed review and with a very natural relaxed professional presentation style 👍
Much appreciated! 😃
Great vid, I have a Khaki 38mm and love it. I will invite to Banff for Hamiltons next field release as I am not far away. I pass3d on the Tudor field.
Please do an analysis vid on the 36 or 40mm Explorer.
Thank you for your time and insights.
Regards,
Starlight
Right on - appreciated 😃😃
Mike are Cartier vintage quartz movements from the 80s good to high quality how many yrs use will I get it if is from 2012?
I have an Ebel wave in ss new from 2023 is the quartz movement from Cartier and of high quality?
I wanted a slim retro style dress watch and I do not want to duplicate what I have. Your Thoughts please.
Starlight
Great review sir! I have the Khaki Field auto in 38mm and love it , on my smaller wrist , the 38 is perfect , but they do wear big for that size. This watch could be my next purchase ,as a companion, but not a replacement for my Field Auto??
Cheers Gregg.
Thanks - Glad you enjoyed it 😃
Great review! I was going to pull then trigger on the Tudor BB54 but tried this Hamilton 37mm on a few days ago and wow!! I am almost gutted it fits me amazingly well … what did you think BB54 Or this….!??
I like them both but BB54 all the way for me. It's better in every technical way and from a design perspective I prefer it. If it didn't exist, the expedition would be in the runnning 😃😃
But don't listen to me - Buy what speaks to you .❤️
IMO, expedition is gorgeous...
I love compass watches.
I don’t care if people say you don’t need them. They look bad ass how often do people use the diving bezel on their watch?
Terrific review! Thanks
Thanks a ton 😃😃
Says “pointless” when speaking of the “arrowhead hour hand”. Not sure if it was done on purpose but I love it! 😂
Was not aware of that 😂😂
I like the contrast between the arrow and cathedral hands. Stylistically, it's a tad odd, but the legibility is instantaneous.
Great review thank you i jhave the khaki field but this is looks reew & I like the bezel but why the compass & do 2:26 you use the sun or stars hiking ? Why mot fill the markers with black they are hard’y visible biut it won’t put me off from buying one !!
They could have made a gmt version of the watch. A useful complication for a field watch. Date or no date.
Then there are 2 bezel options a fixed or rotating one. Rotating bezel could be a by directional countdown or gmt to track a 3rd zone.
Different colors for bezel and gmt hand to have even more options.
Where I’m going with it? A highly customizable field watch similar to what Laco and Stowa offer with their fliegers.
Swatch already offers an affordable true gmt in Mido Ocean Star GMT.
As to the compass you can get a small one to clip on your watch strap.
A GMT version could be an interesting idea. Still with compass bezel or no? 😀
They could keep the compass bezel and have 24 hrs scale on the inside.
Or ditch compass for a GMT bezel
Does anybody know if the newer Hamilton powermatic variants are antimagnetic? I cant find anything that definitively says one way or the other.
Great watch and review!!
thanks
So, from their current catalogue, which Hamilton would you pick as your favorite, good sir? The one that you would consider buying, worth the money, and has the best design overall.
Murph.
After that
Hamilton Khaki Navy Pioneer. It's way underrated (owned it for a while and regretted selling it) 😊
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Oh, I was about to buy the Murph but got scared by its reflective crystal. Now I'm eyeing Sinn, and that's after watching your Tudor - Rolex - Sinn comparison video. So, Thanks a bunch for the videos, Sir.
I noticed you didn't include the Fortis F-39 or 41 pilot's watch. It appears to me as ultra rugged field watch with a multi- use bezel. Your thoughts?? JNRA
Never tried the specific Fortis, unfortunately - Heard some speak positively of it, but no opinion myself other than just having read specs... 😃😃😃
I must say, the blue Hamilton expedition in 40mm really looks spectacular in person. I think it needs to be on leather. The bracelet in person is a clunker.
Personally I think the khaki should not be on a bracelet. Leather, sailcloth or nato 😀
very thorough review, like it!! maybe the invite to the next release will come soon dude 😎😎
Fingers crossed 😂😂
I badly needed an explorer alternative but not something too obviously homaged like a Traska or Lorier. I hear you, it wears like a BB54. Would you say it wears like a 36mm explorer? I currently have bb58, so the 36mm black bay is a no. What other options are out there that's 36-37mm?
Worth a look - A little expensive. Haven't seen them in the metal, but they have something
tuulwatches.com/collections/filthy-13/products/filthy-13-stainless-steel-white-dial
I agree and think people are being far too whiny about the bezel. I like it.. and it can still be used to track time the way I use my diver watch bezels.
Are you sure about 10.5 thickness for 37mm version?
On their site it says its 11.45 for 37mm
As i state at 1:03 in the video - 10.45mm in the 37mm and about a mm taller in the 41mm version.
Wish they would’ve brought the minute numerals on the railroad indicators over from the Murph. That on the white dial would’ve looked toughhhhh
Leather quality can’t be judged by its suppleness. Shoes for example, Italian dress shoes have supple and comfort right out of the box, but they are not meant to be worn out on a hike; for that purpose you would get some Pacific Northwest boots that take a little time (and pain) to break in. The same concept should be applied to watch straps.I believe the leather strap offered by Hamilton with this watch is the right one, it will break in with time and a little bit of conditioning oils while at the same time gathering patina and character.
Great review.
Glad you enjoyed it 😀
Dial is simple & extremely effective... Best Hamilton watch ever produced...
Hamilton Khaki Field GMT Titanium (with date at 6) when?
good q.... 😊
I know it’s a pilots watch but how can you leave out the spirit 37 ?! For me it’s in the same ballpark as your field watch comparison. What are your thoughts on it ? Explorer is still the king but can’t justify that marcha. There allot more watch you can get for 150k !
I do agree - A glaring omission. Got a video coming on the spirit 37. It's HUGE value for money - movement, power reserve, finishing, design, size. Really a big fan. 😃😃
They opened up a Hamilton store in Lancaster Pennsylvania and actually restored the original clock there
Is the bracelet fully articulating?
Well done sir !
Thanks 😀
I'm glad Hamilton is moving away from their old lugs.
I like that brushed surface more that the blasted khaki mechanical.
I wear sometimes 18000 watches. I know that's half of the hi-beat frequency, it's as charming, just in a different way. 21600 is not an issue.
I think it's a cool look. The "compass" is... well I wouldn't say it's useless, but it's not far off it. The thing is, it's not actually a compass but something compass-like. You need to have the sun showing at all times in order to orient the watch so that the compass is accurate. I do a lot of navigation at night, and also during the day the sky is in full cloud, or fog/mist and well.... in those times the bezel is completely useless. But you know all of this. It's just for style points. I much prefer a diver with countdown bezel which is more useful. A titanium on nato for lightness is great for my outdoor navigation, with a Garmin on my main wrist.
What are your thoughts about the Longines Spirit 37? I almost bought a Khaki and realized putting the “aviation” Spirit on a nato IS the far superior field watch
That might be the best watch in the world right now. In fact, it's so good that they absolutely had to ruin it a bit by making the crown non-screw down (unlike the 40 and 42mm options where it screws down normally - they had to mess up the date windows in those models). Because that seems to be the new trend these days - make a perfect watch and then ruin it with an obligatory half-assed detail. Like this Hamilton - let's make a killer piece for the money and then add a bloody compass bezel... Wait, what?? It's like making a cake and then glazing it with fish oil... Sorry for the rant.
The non screw down doesn’t bother me at all, it’s a very sturdy crown. In fact, i saw a teddy baldesarre video with a watch maker that stated unless it’s a diver it’s better without as there are no threads to wear over time.
@@mosquitojoyride I saw that too. To be fair, the only reason it bugs me is that they put a screw down crown on the 40 and 42mm options, and then somehow magically decided against it on the 37mm. And personally, if a watch has 100m of water resistance, I will absolutely take it swimming and snorkelling. So a screw down crown is just a welcomed safety feature that prevents pulling it out by accident.
Good question: I have a video in the works about it. Short version - Till now I’ve seen the IWC mark xx as the ultimate dress flieger.
I’m pretty sure the Longines is as good and possibly better than the IWC for 1/3 of the price. But the final verdict will have to wait for the video 😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Looking forward to that video!
What I noticed immediately when this model was released is that it seems like a direct response to the many criticisms of those frustrated with critical oversights in the latest round of Khaki Field Titanium Autos in 38mm - AR coating, screw-down crown, and contrasting hands against the black dial. However, instead of simply updating that model and potentially cannibalizing sales of existing stock, they released a new model that fixes these issues but loses what made the titanium version great - titanium case, dial with 24hr markings and 1/3s hashes, lumed numerals, precise syringe-style hands, clean bezel, and sleekly curved lugs.
The 100m WR people keep talking about was already there. I'm so frustrated they didn't simply fix these oversights on the titanium model. I dislike the compass bezel, the fact that it's steel, faux vintage lume, no lume on the numerals, less precise gradations and hands, and chunkier lugs. I do like 37mm with a shorter lug-to-lug and a slimmer profile, but other than that, the other design changes are all for the worse, in my opinion.
I truly wish Hamilton would simply correct these oversights in the titanium autos, since they just cheaped out the first time around with no AR coating or screw-down-crown, but I can see why they don't want to make something so obviously better than existing offerings.
Excellent!
Thank you! Cheers! 😃
The hour hand is how you make the compass bezel work. To me, the arrow is the obvious choice.
In the Northern Hemisphere it is because you point at the Sun. In the Southern you point the twelve o'clock mark at the Sun as he says in the video.
Saw this model in person in Geneva last month. Looks very good indeed. But since I already have a seiko field master JDM with a compass bezel have no need for this one.
Yup - Many others like it 😊
TLDR: It's a better Khaki but not a better watch.
I completely agree.
That would make for a very short video 😂😂😂
I don't like the 4 squares on the bezel for word directions. If it had a coin edge all around I would like it much more.
Murphy 38mm is really beautiful but makes it a mirror the time.
True! 😀
37 white dial 👏👏
Something which may make you really curious would be real field watches, like for example KOMANDIRSKIE 02036A
I do like the watches but I am not a fan of the compass bezel.
The compass makes it a "fake" fieldwatch to me.
I wish they would have gone the route of a count up bezel like the Sinn 104, if they didn't want to have a count down bezel.
Lower grade "powermatic" movements contain plastic pellet forks and 4 wheels. That's not a rumour.
True - but that variant of the movement isn't in the hamilton. 😃
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Yes people get a bit confused by the rebranding of the ETA 2824-2. I always wonder at the ways the Swiss manage to sell decades old stuff as "innovation" for top money.
I just want the og with more water resistance
If a watch has a N, S, E, W on the bezel, I do not buy it. I'm not a heathen, I know what a compass looks like and do not need that showing on my wrist. (even worse when you pay good money on a watch). Casio ABC watch, no problem, but a tool watch no way. And before you say it helps you navigate with the sun, you can do that without the letters printed anywhere on the watch, you can do this with a coin and get general sense of direction.
I don’t think the accuracy is acceptable for the price range, but the watch will run at a lot better rate than the stated accuracy
The Rolex Explorer really pushes the boundaries of the definition of a field watch and I would say - oversteps them. Field watches should be matt black (or a dark color), with little to no polish and printed indices. The Explorer I is none of these things. The more tooly field watches also have all arabic indices, with a 24-hour chapter inboard. The Tudor Ranger is much closer to the true field watch aesthetic.
Do tend to agree with you for sure
Cheers
Ranger is good watch IMO...
I like the look and shape however that compass bezel ruins it for me, its serves no real purpose. If they kept that bezel shape but put world time bezel markings on instead of the compass, then it'd tick all the boxes for me
I am not sure about this. Anybody that buys this is someone that buys brand equity and locational value. If the name "Hamilton" and "Swiss Made" is of value to you then the $1000 price tag might be worth it. There is better value to be found elsewhere. I would for example rather go for a Formex Field Automatic or Marathon's General Purpose Mechanical or say a Bulova like that "Hack Watch" of theirs. Then we haven't even looked at titans like Seiko or Timex. Enjoy the rugby Mike! 😁💪
Looking forward to tonight.
Fair point. 1k for a hamilton is steep. Sinn 556 for me buy a country mile 😀😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch I'd rather have that Sinn too! Gorgeous and practical. Yeah, lets hope the French go down without too much of a fight haha! Enjoy it and have a great week!
And we all thank for the recycling of M777s and the scrap finding its way to China for the resurrection of relatively affordable titanium watch case options recently.
I don’t get field watches at all. Yes the history but I put my money on proper Lundhags boots and back pack and modern Fjällräven field clothes. The watch is a G-shock. Basta
G-shock every time 👍👍
I can appreciate this watch but I don't think I'm interested in it. It feels like it's trying to be an Alpinist and the extra tool look makes it less of an all arounder than the Khaki auto and King.
The only problem with this watch for me is choosing a colour.
Thought I heard car keys lol
I want to love this as it's what I want from Hamilton ... but I also feel it may age badly and look rather like a passing fad in a decade.
So many watches, so few wrists.
Sorry, but people who don't know about watches would never believe that this is a 1000$ watch. Good watch but it really does look cheap.
You are too charitable in your analysis. I think the new designs are a major step backwards. They are schizophrenic. They abandoned a cohesive and classic design language and instead you get something that looks like it's trying to be a souped up Seiko 5 but instead of souped up it looks watered down. The compass bezel is, as you noted, perfectly useless and therefore superfluous, which from a functionalist design perspective is simply unforgivable. To me these new Khakis fall into the same category of the re-designed Air King. They tried to fix something that wasn't broken and in the process destroyed an iconic design.
I'm not a fan of Hamilton and will not buy it. A few years ago I purchased the Hamilton Khaki Field from the Hodinkee website. Within 2 weeks of wear the crown snapped off like a toothpick. No crown guards on a non screw in big crown manual wind watch equals trouble. I tried to get money back from Hodinkee but they referred me back to the Hamilton Warranty service centre. When I contacted them they were very unhelpful. They had a back log of repairs (not a good sign) and wanted 6 weeks to inspect the watch to establish quality control. I was frustrated and took the watch to my independent watchmaker who replaced the crown stem for $30. My watchmaker said the stem had corroded. Total rubbish watch components. I sold it.
I've heard some wild stories about hamilton QC - including fogging up glass and whatnot. The watches though do look good and have never had the issues myself 😃😃
It's a Khaki field watch with a useless bezel. No big deal here folks.
HOW CAN YOU REVIEW A WATCH THAT YOU DONT HAVE??????
I GO DOWN TO THE AD AND WEAR IT!!!!!!!!
IT’S ALMOST LIKE THE COMPANIES HAVE THESE PURPOSE BUILT DISPLAYS WHERE YOU CAN TRY THE WATCHES OUT BEFORE YOU CHOOSE TO BUY!
Only 10ATM water resistance is a failure, and a total desappointment, for a watch pretended to be "adventure proof"...!
for 1000 euros you have a printed dial and a compass bezel not even ceramic with not purpose in modern world! Tissot actually uses a mix of materials is not plastic and cost under 1000 dollars! Also, gives more features than Hamilton!
Thesis: the compass bezel is the least used/useful type of bezel on the market.
I have trouble thinking of one used less 😃😃
Movement wise, Seiko is not even close to the Hamilton brand...
It's not as much Khaki as it is tacky, the worse is that ugly compass.
Compass bezel is gimmicky and a poor design choice.
It's pretty though.... 😃😃