When starting a blog about watches and collecting I can think of no better watch in my collection to start with than the venerable Khaki Field watch from Hamilton.
Hamilton a (very) brief history
Hamilton got its start way back when in 1892 in Lancaster, PA. They became known for accuracy and were used widely by the railroad and airmail industries. In 1942 Hamilton halted production and focused on the war effort and produced watches for the Allied servicemen. Those watches were the grandfather of today's khaki field watches.
It's that tie to military history that drew me to Hamilton and directly to the khaki field. Well before I was a hopeless watch addict, I loved and wanted this watch. But couldn't wrap my head around the price for a long time. After the watch bug bit, the love for this watch was rekindled and I started saving.
Well, it's everything I hoped it would be. Now is when I should state that Hamilton is not and has not and probably never will compensate me in any manner to do anything with any of their watches. I pray that changes.
The 42mm case size fits my large wrist well and the leather although new felt like it was worn in and comfortable for all-day wear.
Speaking of straps, this is what the kids these days call a strap monster. It takes well to almost any strap I've put on it.
The watch itself is beautiful, the polish on the case, the sapphire crystal, the full lumed numerals the detail of the dial. But if you're a watch nerd like me, you know all these things and how to find the specs. Let's face it, I'm not the first one to write about this watch. So, what do I think?
Well, I am smitten with it, I love every aspect of it. That's why I bought it, but I won't gush. The kfa (khaki field automatic) is a watch that is a staple in many collections, it comes highly recommended by many. Yet, it's often overlooked. Why? Because in that price range there are loads of other brighter shinier watches. And this is, simple, utilitarian. And that's why I like it. It's the definition of a tool watch. It does the job and it does it well and then some. That simplicity makes it easy for it to be versatile. It dresses up well for the office or a weekend of yard work. I find myself wearing this often, in numerous situations. It tends to be one of my favorite travel watches as it's easy to read and wears well that you put it on and never worry about it.
The part you should have skipped to
If you love a watch with history, like something with no fuss, has some versatility to it, buy this watch.
If you're a lover of field watches, buy this watch as there is no greater field watch.
Ok, it's not all roses and the moon and it's high school letterman jacket. That beautiful polish on the case, makes scratches and scuffs show up really well. And that sapphire crystal while durable, makes it hard to see the dial as well as you'd like in a lot of situations.
I'm not too picky and can adjust to its few shortcomings, you might be able to as well, and if so, you'll find you have a new watch that you grab rather frequently.
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