Hamilton Khaki Field watches

Hamilton has a long history of producing military and navigation watches. The Khaki Field collection continues this tradition with its many retro timepieces modeled after military watches from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. This is clearly a recipe for success, as the Khaki Field is among the most popular Hamilton collections.

Each Khaki Field watch shares the same basic dial design, which focuses on functionality and optimal readability. Defining features include clearly identifiable hour and minute indices, large Arabic numerals from 1 to 12, and a second ring with the numbers 13 to 24 in the center of the dial. Pointed sword hands are another common feature across the collection. In addition to many three-hand models, Hamilton also produces a handful of Khaki Field watches with a chronograph function.

Despite the watches' many similarities, the collection still manages to achieve extraordinary diversity. The different dials and case shapes are heavily influenced by historical predecessors from decades gone by. You can also choose from a large selection of dial colors, including black, white, silver, blue, olive green, and beige.

These stainless steel watches range from 38 to 50 mm in diameter, meaning there's something for every wrist size. Swiss movement manufacturer ETA provides Hamilton with the collection's quartz, automatic, and manual calibers.

The Khaki Field Auto series is truly expansive. It contains watches measuring 38, 40, 42, and 44 mm in diameter. Most have brushed stainless steel cases, though select models feature polished bezels. As the name implies, each watch houses an automatic caliber, more specifically the ETA C07.111, also known as the Hamilton H-10. This movement has an 80-hour power reserve, a date display at 3 o'clock, and central hour, minute, and seconds hands.

No matter which size you choose, you will have plenty of band and dial color options. If you prefer a more military look, you should take a closer look at the models with a matte black, blue, olive green, or brown dial on a matching textile strap. On the other hand, timepieces that combine a silver or beige sunburst dial with a leather strap or stainless steel bracelet look especially nice paired with a suit and tie.

Plan to spend between 430 and 550 USD for a mint-condition watch on a leather or textile strap. Prices for a Khaki Field Auto on a stainless steel bracelet range from 540 to 660 USD.

The Khaki Field Skeleton Auto has less of a strictly military design. Its skeletonized dial offers a view of the caliber H-20 below, which is also skeletonized. Thanks to its black PVD coating, this 42-mm stainless steel timepiece could easily pass for a dress watch. Depending on the model, expect to pay anywhere from 920 to 1,000 USD.

Khaki Field "Murph"

The Khaki Field "Murph" Auto had its big Hollywood break in 2014 when it appeared in the Oscar-winning film Interstellar starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain. In the movie, astronaut Joseph Cooper (McConaughey) crosses the event horizon of a black hole. There, he is able to use Morse code to transmit vital data to his daughter, Murphy (Chastain), via her watch, thus saving humanity. In a nod to the movie, the second hand is decorated with the word "Eureka" in Morse code.

The Murph also sets itself apart from its fellow Khaki Field Auto models in other ways. Its dial and hands come from the Khaki Field Pioneer Auto, which itself was inspired by military and pilot's watches from the 1920s and 30s. This design features more stylized numerals, as well as cathedral hands. It also lacks the inner ring of numbers. In fact, the stainless steel case is this timepiece's only true connection to the rest of the Khaki Field Auto series. The Khaki Field "Murph" Auto sells for about 800 USD on Chrono24. Hamilton lists the same watch for 995 USD.

You can save a few dollars by choosing the Khaki Field Pioneer Auto. You can distinguish this model from the Murph thanks to its ridged bezel, onion-shaped crown, and date window at 3 o'clock. The 45-mm edition with a black dial demands roughly 610 USD, while the 42-mm version with an off-white dial changes hands for around 760 USD.

The Titanium Khaki Field

For something a bit lighter, there's the Khaki Field Titanium Auto. As you may have already guessed, this timepiece is made of titanium. Otherwise, its design and technology are identical to its stainless steel counterparts.

Hamilton offers three different versions of this titanium watch. First, there's the model with a black dial, white numerals, and a brushed finish. This timepiece comes on a titanium bracelet and is the most budget-friendly at approximately 630 USD. The second version combines black PVD coating with a black rubber strap and costs around 750 USD. Lastly, there's the version with an olive green dial and light brown leather strap, which sells for roughly 920 USD.

Khaki Field Auto with a Day-Date Display

The final member of the Auto series is the Khaki Field Day Date Auto. Thanks to the caliber H.30 (ETA 2836-2/C07.111), these timepieces feature displays for both the day and date.

You can choose from two design options. Version one has a more classic military feel with its triangular hour indices and matte black, blue, olive, or khaki dial. It features a day-date display at 3 o'clock. A camouflage textile strap completes the look. Prices depend on the model and fall between 620 and 710 USD.

The second version places the date window at 6 and day display at 12 o'clock, lending these watches a particularly balanced look. The silver or black dial's sunburst pattern adds yet another refined note. Be sure to have anywhere from 650 to 710 USD on hand for one of these models.

The Khaki Field Mechanical is a revival of a watch Hamilton produced for NATO troops in the 1960s. Outside of its triangular indices, the dial design is identical to that of the other Khaki Field models. Most versions have a 38-mm stainless steel case, though Hamilton also offers a 50-mm edition for fans of massive timepieces. The main difference between the Field Mechanical and other Khaki Field watches is found on the inside. The Khaki Field Mechanical gets its power from the manual caliber H-50, a modified ETA 2801-2.

Prices for a mint-condition, 38-mm Khaki Field Mechanical range from 410 USD for the version with a black dial and olive green NATO strap to 490 USD for the edition with a brown dial and dirt brown PVD coating.

The 50-mm Khaki Field Mechanical is available with a brushed stainless steel case, as well as a brown or black PVD coating. The black model is particularly interesting since its numerals and hands are coated with dark gray luminous material, resulting in a particularly sleek timepiece. Once again, prices vary by model and fall between 840 and just over 1,000 USD.

Hamilton also manufactures quartz-powered Khaki Field watches. While they look the same as the Khaki Field Auto, these watches are completely different on the inside. For example, Hamilton equips 38-mm versions with the quartz ETA F06.111, while 40-mm watches house the ETA F07.111. The dial comes in your choice of black, blue, silver, khaki, or olive green. The final watch is mounted on a stainless steel bracelet or matching textile, leather, or synthetic leather strap.

You can call a Khaki Field Quartz your own for between 290 and 430 USD, depending on the model.

The Khaki Field King is as robust as it is aesthetically pleasing. Its crown guard and wide bezel mean almost nothing can throw this watch out of sync. The stainless steel case features brushed and polished finishes. Together with a tidy dial and its day-date display at 12 o'clock, this classic watch looks great with any business outfit.

Inside the 40-mm case, you'll find either the automatic caliber H-40 or the quartz caliber 995.132. You can also choose between a black or off-white dial, as well as a stainless steel bracelet or leather strap.

A Khaki Field King Auto on a stainless steel bracelet costs about 530 USD. At 480 USD, the version on a leather strap is a bit more affordable. You can save even more by purchasing the quartz model, which demands roughly 340 USD on a leather strap and 390 USD on a metal bracelet.

The Khaki Field Auto Chrono combines the look of the Khaki Field Day Date with the functionality of a chronograph. Hamilton outfits these watches with a modified Valjoux 7750, known as the Hamilton H-21. This movement has a 60-hour power reserve and provides the timepiece with its day-date display at 3, an hour counter at 6, and a minute counter at 12 o'clock. Interestingly, Hamilton's designers decided against including a small seconds subdial. As a result, the dial feels especially well balanced and less cluttered.

On a light brown leather strap, this 42-mm stainless steel watch sells for about 1,300 USD in mint condition. The version with a black PVD coating and black rubber strap changes hands for roughly 1,500 USD.