One of the Best $1000 Field Watches Is Now Even More Versatile

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Hamilton’s Khaki line has always led the affordable field watch market because the company has always retained sight of what makes the field watch so unique. The brand’s field timepieces have always centered on simple, clean dials and military-inspired neutral colors of tan, black, and white for exceptional legibility. They’ve also remained true to their roots and on the smaller side, at least by modern watch standards, with options available as small as 37mm. 

With this latest update to the Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition, launched just last year, the company continues to adhere to the same core principles while offering a few noteworthy aesthetic additions. 

Hamilton

The Backstory

Building on a standout new release from 2023

The original Hamilton Khaki Expedition launched in the fall of 2023 and made waves in the watch world due to its unique exploration-centered feature set. A new bi-directional rotating compass bezel, a screw-down crown and water resistance to 10 bar (100m) made it arguably Hamilton’s most adventure-focused watch in the company’s already deep field watch lineup. The model also featured shorter lugs, creating a new offering in the Khaki line that was more compact and easier to wear on smaller wrists. Powered by Hamilton’s H-10 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve, it instantly became one of the most capable field watches on the market at its price point. 

Curious how a compass bezel works? Hamilton’s video walks through the simple three-step process.

The Gist

The introduction of NATO straps makes total sense

Building on last year’s success, Hamilton is now introducing five new iterations to the Khaki Expedition line, including four that’ll ship with NATO straps for the first time, in both the 41mm and 37mm references. The variety of dial and strap combinations offer surprisingly different looks.

The white- and black-dialed versions on khaki NATOs provide the most classic take on traditional field watch aesthetics, while a black dial and grey NATO combination offer a more modern, city-ready look. A navy-on-navy look rounds out the new offerings and is arguably the most distinctive of the bunch, giving a sportier and nautical vibe to a watch whose color palette has always seemed most aligned with mountains, forests and deserts.

Our POV

An excellent field watch now has wider appeal

We’ve always loved the look and functionality of NATO straps on an adventure-oriented tool watch. And while we understood the vibe the original Khaki Expedition line was going for with its two-piece leather strap and brushed steel bracelet options, the introduction of NATO straps feels like a no-brainer offering that significantly enhances the timepiece’s appeal as a casual, no-nonsense tool watch that’s ready to be worn anywhere. Combined with the line’s three different dial colors, there’s now a Khaki Expedition to suit most styles, making it an even stronger competitor in the $1,000 field watch space. 

Hamilton

OTHER VARIATIONS

Hamilton