The classic field watch may have been around for over a century, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement — and Hamilton has done just that. Hamilton has been the first name in field watches since the inception of the genre, and with the Khaki Field Expedition, it’s clear just how far the humble field watch has come. With a compass bezel and five new looks, including a NATO textile strap, the Khaki Field Expedition is ready for adventure.
If you’re in the market for a field watch, there’s a good chance Hamilton’s Khaki line will be your first port of call. With over 60 models, from divers to chronographs, the core of the Khaki line is the classic field watch. Characterized by large Arabic markers and an emphasis on reliability and legibility, Hamilton’s Khaki field watches retain the vintage military design cues of its forebears and are built for a life in the outdoors.
The Khaki Field Expedition can trace its lineage to watches like Hamilton’s Officer’s Trench Watch worn by soldiers during WWI. Large numerals, simplicity of design, and, above all, reliability, were key to timing operations in the field. In the ensuing decades, Hamilton would continue to produce field watches for soldiers. When soldiers returned from duty, many found that the characteristics that made these watches so reliable translated seamlessly to outdoor pursuits during peacetime. First released in 2023, the Khaki Field Expedition took Hamilton’s timeless Khaki field watch blueprint and added a compass bezel, along with oversized hands and indices, to create an all-terrain, adventure-ready version of the already robust and capable field watch.
For a watch built for outdoor adventure, the addition of a compass bezel was an inspired choice. Following the old adage, “two is one and one is none,” the compass bezel provides a backup compass on your wrist while navigating the backcountry. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, just keep the dial level and point the hour hand in the direction of the sun. Next, set the South marker to the mid-point between the hour hand and the 12 o’clock marker. Once set, you now have a rough estimation of direction to help you navigate — a nice failsafe in case of emergency.
Housed in either a 41mm or 37mm stainless-steel case, the Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition is available in three distinctive dial colors: classic black, crisp white, and deep blue. Regardless of which one you choose, the hands and indices are coated with creamy tan Super-LumiNova that provides a vintage charm. Originally offered with only a choice of bracelet or leather strap, the Hamilton Khaki Field now adds a range of NATO strap options — the perfect choice for venturing into the great outdoors. The new NATO straps add plenty of versatility, whether you pair the white dial with a khaki NATO for a vintage look, the black dial with a dark gray NATO for a sleek and stealthy look, or aim for a color-matched aesthetic with navy on navy.
A field watch has always been a rugged and versatile option for venturing into the outdoors, but the Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition takes this classic design to a new level with the integration of a compass bezel and the new option of custom NATO straps for added comfort and security in the field.