Introducing: The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Power Reserve
What We Know
The Hamilton Khaki Field needs little introduction. A staple (and icon) of the field watch category, it's safe to say that many collectors have owned one at some point in their lives. Hamilton is right to keep the classics largely as they originally were, while experimenting on the sidelines with a few versions of the Khaki Field that try something new. Today, we get another one of these experiments, with the Khaki Field Power Reserve.
Yes, it's all in the name — this is a Khaki Field with, well, a power reserve on the dial. As such, it's a bit larger than the svelte time-only Khaki Field models you might typically be used to, with the 40mm bead-blasted steel case sporting a thicker 11.95mm case height. The dial is styled in the same way as many of the other Khaki Fields, while the spacing is slightly spread out to accommodate the larger dial.
Both the black and white dials are accompanied by old radium-colored Super-LumiNova for the hands and printed hour indices, while the power reserve sits to the right of the 9 o'clock Arabic numeral. Not unlike what you'd see on a gas tank, the power reserve goes from F(ull) to E(mpty), with a small arrow rotating counterclockwise as the power runs down. Somewhat redundant is the "Power Reserve" text right next to it on the dial.
Inside the Khaki Field Power Reserve is a new caliber developed by ETA for Hamilton. This manually-winding H-23 caliber has a power reserve of 80 hours, allowing for the additional complexity of that power reserve indication. However, in a quirky move, the H-23 caliber features a slipping spring, similar to an automatic caliber, meaning that even with a fully wound barrel, the wearer can continue to turn the crown. Hamilton attributes this addition as a way to allow the power reserve indication to resynchronize if the watch experiences a shock and the plates of the frictional differential shift, given that the Khaki Field is a field watch.
The new Hamilton Khaki Field Power Reserve is priced at $1,025 on bracelet and $945 on a fabric NATO strap.
What We Think
This one's certainly an oddball. It's a curious move from the brand, especially for a line that really feels like it lives up to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mantra. But it's not replacing anything; instead, it's just another option in the lineup. With the addition of this new, thicker caliber, the proportions feel quite different from the classic manually-winding Khaki Field options, giving the case a more rounded, sloped look. In person, they feel noticeably thicker.
But for those with larger wrists, this might actually be a great new option. It feels like its 40mm diameter would suggest, especially given the minimal bezel and entirely sandblasted case. So, for anyone who finds the 38mm manually wound Khaki Fields too small and the 42mm ones too big, this might be a good one to take a look at.
The Basics
Brand: Hamilton
Model: Khaki Field Power Reserve
Reference Number: H69509130 (Black dial on bracelet); H69509930 (Black dial on strap); H69509110 (White dial on bracelet); H69509910 (White dial on strap)
Diameter: 40mm
Thickness: 11.95mm
Case Material: Stainless steel (sandblasted)
Dial Color: Black or white
Indexes: Printed
Lume: Old Radium-colored SuperLumiNova
Water Resistance: 50m
Strap/Bracelet: Steel bracelet or textile NATO strap with leather keepers
The Movement
Caliber: H-23
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve indicator
Power Reserve: 80 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 21,600 VPH
Chronometer Certified: No
Additional Details: Nivachron hairspring
Pricing & Availability
Price: $945 on a NATO, $1,025 on a bracelet
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No
For more, click here.
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