Confessions of a rebellious WIS - A review of the Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic

[Andy the Squirrel]

It's a great looking functional watch, I love mine!

[2xbass]

Great review and a fun read! I recently bought a Khaki quartz and agree with you on the classic, cool but not stodgy style of these watches. Some day I'm going to move up to the auto (after I build up enough brownie points with the wife!) probably the same one as yours.

[Sebastian Torres]

I hummed and hawed between the field and the king for quite some time. Your review almost makes me regret my purchase, as it is so well written with such good points, one empathises with your reasoning to the point of agreement - thank goodness the watches are so similar Thanks for sharing.

I'm in that same process now, I don't really know which one to buy, either the Field 38mm or the King 40mm... I've spent several hours browsing the net, reading reviews, watching different pictures of them... and I like both watches. I was almost done with the idea of getting the King until I came to this review, which is an excelent article and is very well written as well. Very amusing too. It made me think twice about getting a King Auto.

My main concern is the 50 mts rate vs the 100 mts WR of the Field... Will I be able to swim at the pool with a King?? Or at the beach?? Many people told me not to do so. Not even with a 100 mts WR watch. Maybe some of you could clarify that to me...

The red tip in the second hand of the Field is something that I don't like much but I think I could live with it. I'd prefer it plain white.

The Oyster-like bracelet is kind of weird with that division in the middle of the center link (I think it's two links instead).

Sorry if I kind of hijacked this thread, maybe it would be better for me to open a new one, but I found the comment very similar to what I'm going through with these Khaki watches.

What would you recommend me? Field or King?

[Hillcrest]

I'm in that same process now, I don't really know which one to buy, either the Field 38mm or the King 40mm... I've spent several hours browsing the net, reading reviews, watching different pictures of them... and I like both watches. I was almost done with the idea of getting the King until I came to this review, which is an excelent article and is very well written as well. Very amusing too. It made me think twice about getting a King Auto.

My main concern is the 50 mts rate vs the 100 mts WR of the Field... Will I be able to swim at the pool with a King?? Or at the beach?? Many people told me not to do so. Not even with a 100 mts WR watch. Maybe some of you could clarify that to me...

The red tip in the second hand of the Field is something that I don't like much but I think I could live with it. I'd prefer it plain white.

The Oyster-like bracelet is kind of weird with that division in the middle of the center link (I think it's two links instead).

Sorry if I kind of hijacked this thread, maybe it would be better for me to open a new one, but I found the comment very similar to what I'm going through with these Khaki watches.

What would you recommend me? Field or King?

If I were you and had a couple Monsters in my collection then I wouldn't wear either of these hammies in water. I've read about another member wearing his Field in water but I wouldn't try it with the King. Apparently when the rating is 50m you can only trust it for handwashing etc. They say you can go for a swim with a 100m but I would get a pressure test every couple years just to be safe.

A note of consideration for making your decision: With the King you are limited to 40mm but the Field comes in several sizes. This model comes in 42 and there are some newer models that are even bigger. You have more options with the Field. Let us know what you decide.

[Otto Matic]

This is a very good review, professionally made IMO.
I was undecided on which one to get if whether the 42mm or the 38mm version, so I started doing some research on the two models when I ran into this thread, and after reading it and looking at some of the pictures ( especially the last one where you are wearing the watch ) I made up my mind, Mine should arrive in about a week or so, thanks

[vandergl]

Hi All,
Just some additional info. I just purchased this watch and am returning it. I really like it and the review but this is the second Hamilton watch I've purchased with quality problems. About 7 years ago i purchase the quartz version of this watch except (33mm). I had to send it back twice to have the minute hand tightened. Once that was straightened out the watch has served me well to date. I had always wanted the automatic version and this review put me over the top. I have a Speedmaster Date but wanted an automatic that is a little less expensive to wear daily. In any event, I purchased this exact watch (38mm Automatic) via Amazon. It arrived today looking sharp. However when I went to set it I noticed that the minute hand was exactly 30 minutes out of phase with the hour hand (when the minutes hand is in the 12 o'clock position, the hour hand is exactly between two hour indicators). I am really disappointed. I understand a little hour hand lag is acceptable in automatic/manual watches, however, 30 minutes is just defective. Anyway, I love the look of this watch but it was sadly the last chance I'll give the Hamilton watch brand. Do other brands under the Swatch group have similar quality issues I wonder? Still looking for a, mid-sized, everyday auto. Any suggestions?

[warriorsociologist]

Hi All,
Still looking for a, mid-sized, everyday auto. Any suggestions?

Yep -- a bit dressier, but here's one:
F/S: Seiko SARB035

[mjbernier]

Sorry about resurrecting an older thread, but I had to compliment the OP for an excellent review. I have never had an interest in Hamiltons until this evening when my wife and I were window-shopping at an ...... mall. One of the jewelry shops there had a collection of Hamiltons, and I tried on both the 42mm Field Auto and the 40mm King. I have to say I was very impressed with the feel of the Field Auto, and after getting home I searched WUS for more details and found this review. It basically confirms my initial feeling about the watch, and I am seriously considering one for my collection.

Mike

[jkoerner]

Confessions of a rebellious WIS - A review of the Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic

Hello - again, very excellent review, thank you for this - it has almost persuaded me to pull the trigger on this watch..

I have a question though - Hamilton has a new version of this watch that has a black steel case and black leather strap, the H70585733, which appears to be otherwise identical (38mm). Although not as "classic," I do like that all-black appearance. [There appear to be two minor differences - (1) second hand pointer is white not red, and (2) luminous treatment appears to be a tan/slightly greenish color instead of white.]

My question is about the luminous treatment. Does this treatment work as well as the white one? (And - how well does the white treatment work? I cannot find any clear statement of how clearly visible the hands & numerals are in the dark, nor for how many hours it remains readable - so if someone can describe this, for both the white and the new "off-white" treatment, I would greatly appreciate that.)

The most common occasions on which I need to be able to read my watch in the dark are (1) when driving in the car at night, and (2) when I've awakened in the middle of the night (3-5AM, 5 or 6 hours after retiring). I rarely need the feature during the first couple of hours of sleep, when the luminosity of course is brightest.

I have been seriously considering the Trasers with "tritium" lighting as an alternative, although I doubt that the quality is as good [and I definitely don't like their (relatively) massive size], simply because of their almost "neon" bright visibility at any time of night. I'm sure many in this forum would argue that going with Traser instead would be a mistake, but I am torn by this decision because night visibility is important to me. (I actually find myself wearing an inexpensive Timex "Expedition" with the on/off light switch, because it is absolutely readable.) I could not afford to buy both the Traser and the Hamilton.

If someone here could assure me that I'd be able to read the Hamilton(s) at 4AM, that would decide the question for me. Thanks!

[brainchill]

I've been feeling largely the same way ... considering a new full timer and getting rid of those that don't have special meaning. I have been eyeing the hamilton khaki field titanium for months thinking that it may be about the perfect watch for my every day use. You're review made me pull the trigger and now I just can't wait for it to get here (tomorrow)

Thanks again.