Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 38mm! Overrated???

I review the Hamilton Field Khaki Automatic 38mm! Is this the best field watch or is it overrated? Watch my take!
Link to purchase or reference price: www.amazon.com...

[@coffeeboyclips1973]

I've had many watches including Rolex, Longines, Tag etc. This hamilton is amazing value for money, it's such a good all rounder. Not overrated at all.

[@M82RKY]

Especially for the money

[@TheEnvelopeOZ]

How does the quality of the steel compare to Longines?

[@coffeeboyclips1973]

@@TheEnvelopeOZ longines steel is better, a level above hamilton, the Longines spirit is comparable to omega.

[@Heywoodthepeckerwood]

@@coffeeboyclips1973 what kind of steel is used in each watch goob?

[@GeorgeTropicana]

I've owned all kinds of Hamiltons. Great watches

[@austinsabado921]

I have this watch for over a year and absolutely love it. It was my first watch introducing me to the automatic world. Can't recommend it enough!

[@kavashaman7555]

Do you hand wind it once a month? coz I heard the oil can dry up if it’s not wound at least once a month

[@NaviNavi-1uu8tg]

@@kavashaman7555 It’s automatic, no winding needed. Where did you heard that?

[@villegas24]

Not overrated at all. One of the best deals out there

[@richieb74]

Idk if it’s a deal anymore. This watch with a bracelet is up to $745!

[@nunolopes68]

There are absolutely no issues with the winding, either with the 2824-2 or the H10. That's an urban legend. I have two hamilton's with both movements and never had a problem.

[@kavashaman7555]

H40?

[@goemboeck]

The 28k beats are for visual effect, the 80hr power reserve is for practicality. I prefer it that way. It's a great watch for it does, the price is quite right and mine runs steady +2/24hr. For some reason I prefer not to have any AC on the sapphire. The lume dims quickly but if I charge it I'm still able to read it when I wake up super early. I'm not sure what kind of strange leather strap you expect to last "pretty much forever"..

[@billcarson482]

Just got one for a work watch. 80 hrs of power reserve is great. I prefer that to having a higher beat in this case. I also prefer that it does not have a screw down crown, easier to top of the winding if desired. I also prefer the reflective coating, it is so fun and shiny......ok not really on that one. And yes, we all wish the lume was more Seikoish. I find that it looks smaller than my other two 38mm, the Hamilton Intramatic, and Traska Summiteer. Mine is very accurate. I think it was a fair deal on the grey market. If it was too perfect, I probably wouldn’t want to wear it to work every day.

[@michaelkeaton32]

You're bang on about the movement. I used to wind mine when it sat for a while then one time it felt like there was tension and then it felt like it unwound. I took it into a watch repair shop and the guy said these watches are more like dress watches (because I was also having condensation under the glass) and it's not meant to be hand wound more than one or two turns.

[@jsz1962]

I love mine but agree with your assessment. If it had a/r on the crystal and a little bit better lume, it would be perfect.

[@JohnBuckmaster-sw3wm]

Only field watch I wear… Cause I had a hand wound version years ago call with 50 m of water resistance and like a dummy, and before I really understood water resistance ratings, I took at Whitewater rafting… Yeah never worked again... I love this one and really don’t feel the need to consider another field watch for my collection… except at night, When I can’t read the damn watch! Thanks for the fun review and the outtakes/bloopers...

[@M82RKY]

Lume has never bothered me on watches nor the WR or AR coating, this is a great watch south of £500 but I would go for the steel bracelet. If you are looking for a watch that scratches your Explorer itch then this is it, I love the 2021 alpinist better but both are worth having in the collection.......until you get the Explorer lol

[@chaseme1601]

I have a hand winder, love it haven't had any problems with it. I use it everyday, got mine and 2018 I think, lot of the complaints sound very Petty,

[@petert3412]

Had mine for 6 months , running at +.02, lucky I guess. 6 to 10 seconds fast a month. Worn everyday and actually like that there is no anti reflective coating and I like the polished bezel, gives it a bit of bling. I would recommend this watch. I agree go for the bracelet it's a great look with this watch. Check out the comparison videos that are done to the explorer!

[@goemboeck]

Now that's precise :O The way I wear mine, it runs +2/24hr. I slept with for a week and it was +30 after week. Far from yours but more accurate than I anticipated.

[@richieb74]

Mine seems to be +4/24. Kind disappointed. I have $200 mechanicals that are better

[@jipke]

Nice review. Different strokes, I guess. I love mine (also 38 mm). It's quite accurate at ~+3s/d. It's gorgeous and a perfect everyday tool (given that the accuracy is quite good). As for the lume.. I can read the time at 5am with sleepy eyes just fine. That's what matters for me, not whether or not I can use it as a torch. Would have been nice if it were stronger but it does the job. I think you certainly could get a more affordable watch with similar specs but I fell in love with this watch and I think it's worth every penny I spent on it. That said, I may consider modding it slightly in the future (e.g. add a screw down crown, new sapphire crystal).

[@jipke]

Update on accuracy (surprisingly): I timed the gain in seconds over the course of October and it has gained (so far, month is almost over) 13 seconds. That's 0.5 s/d. Amazing!

[@goemboeck]

Can you mod a screw down crown on these? That might be worth it for reliability's sake. Mine runs approx. +2s/d, depending how I wear it.

[@jipke]

@@goemboeck I saw someone on reddit (?) who had it done. Haven't found anyone to do it for me though. I did have the crystal replaced, so it's now less glary. Excellent!

[@CanadianBeachcomber]

Great review WMGB. I have a few Hamiltons in my collection and will probably buy another. They are very reliable watches. The 42mm version gives better room on the dial for its layout, in my opinion. The strap breaks in after a week. Mine is 18 months old and is still looking good. BTW I never wind automatic watches; just put it on then set the time a few minutes later.

[@TheEnvelopeOZ]

You only need to wind these watches if they aren't used for a long time? Where as your method is to pick it up and put it on for a few minutes and then set the time to avoid damage? Sorry I'm a noob to all of this.

[@horeastefanescu2677]

@@TheEnvelopeOZ If the watch has no power to run at all you can either unscrew the crown and wind it/ shake it about 10-15 seconds to get the power going. After that you can set the time. Or you could do all that in reverse (it wont do the watch any damage the order in which you choose to conduct such operations).

[@TheEnvelopeOZ]

@@horeastefanescu2677 Thanks mate, good explanation.

[@horeastefanescu2677]

@@TheEnvelopeOZ 👌

[@mrdisco99]

I have the old version with the 2824-2 movement. I sought this out on the used market because I like being able to regulate the movement myself. The new H-10 movement can only be regulated by Swatch Group, which for the price of a service... let'e be real... they're just going to throw it out and replace it anyway. Mine also came on the bracelet, which is pretty fantastic, and honestly may be the best part of the watch. Everything on it is solid milled steel with a nice brushed finish matching the case, and the links are fully articulated. It does have friction fit pins for adjustment and only two micro adjust holes on the clasp, though, which is a bit silly because the clasp is huge and could have fit a lot more. The clasp is properly solid and feels like it'll bounce bullets. I did get a strap from Hamilton thinking it would be similar quality to the bracelet, but I was a bit disappointed. It is stiff, though you're right, it does break in. The color and texture just seems too light and plasticky, though, for what it costs. I've gotten better looking and more comfortable leather straps for far cheaper.

[@petert3412]

I agree, they will just replace the movement. I bought the h10 with the intention to replace it with a high grade Sellita when the time comes to service, hopefully more the 5 years. Btw there are KZbin's of regulating the h10, looks tricky. Love my Hamilton 38 automatic khaki. When I think I wil pull the trigger on the purchase of another watch, looking at the sinn556a, I look at my Hamilton and think maybe not,, cheers

[@OneGuitarist]

Good review. I just got the one with the black strap, ordered it online. A bit smaller than I thought, probably because the bezel takes up a lot of the face area. Not a terrible thing. The crystal is crap at this price point. You have to twist your wrist around to find the perfect angle to read the time. Terrible. The lume is on par with a watch from the dollar store. It couldn't be much worse and still be called lume. Still, that asie, I do like the watfh a lot and will probably keep it. It's machined very well and looks great all around, even the movement. That's all great. Mine is about 2-3 seconds fast per day, totally happy with that. I'm learning to get used to the glare, but am also looking into a replacement crystal. As far as the lume, if I really had to focus, I could probably tell roughly what time it is in the dark around 5am, but just barely. So, it "works", but not very elegantly or well at all. It does wear nice, feels great to have on, especially after the stiff band broke in after a few days.

[@HiiiGHLIFE1]

Hello, how is it holding up a year later? I just purchased a used one in excellent condition for $420!

[@andrewsarchus6036]

Open case back is mineral glass, not sapphire. The lack of AR sets this watch apart and the domed sapphire crystal plays with the light in an exquisite way without ever obscuring the dial. In fact at the right angle it totally changes the look of the dial and makes the "record groove" numeral ring really pop. Fully AR coated crystals are generally pretty much invisible and just boring - and scratch prone. I can read this watch in the dark after 8 hours sleep. Cannot recommend it highly enough. The true "one watch" collection.

[@varghejo]

I agree that a 28000 bpm would have been preferable to an 80 hour power reserve, but the slowed down h10 movement probably means less wear and probably longer service intervals which is great in an everyday watch. Pulled the trigger on the steel version.

[@johnshropshire3399]

Thanks for your honest opinion 👍

[@ollyhp]

Two things I love: Tenet and hamilton.

[@valengreymoon5623]

I have the King with the H-40 (AKA the ETA 2836), and the only MAJOR downside is the inability to regulate it, since it requires a laser (?) to do so. The crystal was a simple $35 and 10 minute swap to a blue AR variant. Crystal Times has these. Can't do much about the lume though. It's not a Seiko, after all.

[@jipke]

Hey, can you tell me whay exact crystal you used? I own the 38mm version and I'm considering swapping as well.

[@valengreymoon5623]

@@jipke This should be what you're looking for. usa.crystaltimes.net/shop/products/sapphire-crystals/ct098-hamilton-khaki-38mm-double-dome-sapphire-crystal/ If the link doesn't post, check the Crystal Times website. It's a very limited run, and they are still in stock, so grab one fast.

[@jipke]

@@valengreymoon5623 Thanks a lot. I contacted CT but unfortunately they don't ship to Europe. Do you know of any alternative (e.g. Seiko) crystal that would fit the Hamilton? I found the S540-DD on Long Island Watches (measurements 32x3.5 mm, double domed) but I'm not sure that would work. Thanks again, much appreciated.

[@valengreymoon5623]

@@jipke CT has a Euro store as well. Try checking with that one. As for equivalent crystals, I unfortunately do not know of any. You might also try Namoki or DLW. They're based in Singapore, I believe.

[@jipke]

@@valengreymoon5623 The European sister site, seikomods.com, doesn't have it either. I'm now having a third party order it for me from CT and reship it to me. Not ideal, but seems like the best option. Thanks for thinking along with me. Cheers

[@AlGreenLightThroughGlass]

Having done a few tours of duty, gotta say for a mil field watch, accuracy, illum, and readability need to be up there. Auto mech for mine just weren't accurate enough for contemporary mil requirements. Didn't ever see too many of these prestigious type field watches around. I tended toward solar or kinetic quartz drive, usually in rugged Seiko divers - most of my mates had G-Shocks. Still there's a place in my heart for auto mechs, just not in that environment.

[@samwatkins9200]

Spot on

[@salty_terminal_civilian5374]

I agree but I wrote my Hamilton all the time in the Marine Corps because I'm stubborn and wanted to feel old school military.

[@eventdomain1]

Can't see the lume being a problem these days as I'd walk under a street lamp - sorted! The strap is easily removed and replaced with a Nato - again not an issue. Hamilton's are very good watches, high detail and that tough outdoor look, plus it's an Automatic for under £500 - great value indeed. At the low end of watches, you cannot beat Seiko, Hamilton or Casio for that rugged benefit.

[@petert3412]

because of the stainless steel watch hands it's very visible and the loom is still working well when I wake up in the morning when it's dark in the room so I'm not quite sure what the complaints are about .lume. I cannot see the numbers but the hands are as viable as my casio wave ceptor I keep at the bedsibe as an alarm.

[@adambrosz5219]

I have this watch with an ETA 2824-2 (previous gen.). Surely there are some qc issues, e.g. minute dots not alligned with numerals, brushing not perfect, crystal reflections etc. For not that much more you can get Archimede Pilot, Alpina Startimer etc. Nevertheless, it is still my fav. watch that gets the most wrist time. Not sure why, but it seems to have its charm ;)

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

I have the 42mm in at the moment and its brilliant, but I think I should have gone with the 38mm

[@keppler1154]

Whats your wrist size

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

@@keppler1154 6.2 inch mate

[@kavashaman7555]

@@JasonTheWatchGuy ouch

[@patricj951]

I am interested in this watch and would like 42mm version. But these models have a large lug to lug size in relation to the case and the 47mm of 38mm model works good. But the whopping 52mm lug to lug of 42mm model will just be too much for my 17cm wrist.

[@TitoVicVGC]

No AR coating, no screw down crown..

[@timemeasured9137]

Not overrated at all. Name a better field watch in this price range?

[@uliilu1430]

Boldr venture. Oh, waìt - in this price range? Two Boldr ventures.

[@jipke]

@@uliilu1430 And now a better field watch that is both Swiss made and is versatile enough to be worn in more formal locations? 😉

[@frankbruno7122]

Nice job man! I do a bit of public speaking.. not so bad, unless I have a script and a plan.. then I freeze up, a lot! Well done! Frank in Colorado

[@NoMoneyHubby]

I never wore my orginal khaki strap(im clumbsy and sweaty and its too expensive to have to replace in 6 months)... i took it off as soon as i got it and got a strap from this guy on etsy that makes watch straps from old reclamed bits of leather.. i also sometimes wear a 2 peice barton canvas strap .. i have the originals in the box still and i guess my future child or grand child can put them back on if they want... (or whoever they sold it to in the year 2099 can...lol)

[@94jmbottaro]

I agree the lume aint that good, that would be the only thing i would change. Although it does its job. Still readeable in morning. And maybe a screwdown crown. As for the AR coating. The watch looks much better without it

[@shivasivanesan2937]

Hey man , great camera work and I like the flow of your description . Not choppy . I think you’ve got the best review for this particular piece in the whole of Internet . Keep it coming 👍🏽

[@watchmegobroke4365]

Thank you!

[@cdb5001]

Some fair criticism, but I have this watch and love it. I have several more expensive watches, including a Seiko Flightmaster, SARX, Bulova Lunar Pilot, Orient and Tudor. Aside from the Tudor, this watch has the best build quality and feels solid. I love my Seiko's but they feel more flimsy in comparison. For the movement you get, the quality of the case and finishing at this price, I don't think it can be beat.

[@stefanogoldoni5059]

I completely agree! Mine is incredibly accurate too. I think +1 s/d is almost unbeatable in this price range.

[@danbrown7857]

Not even remotely close to being overrated. It can go from dinner out on steel to the woods and rivers on a nylon or canvas strap. I am going to replace the sapphire crystal with a domed Sternkreuz acrylic crystal though. It’ll look awesome!😎

[@bfpierce]

Who does the initial “rating”?

[@john33ish]

I really love the look of this watch but the bad lume application might be a deal break for me. I need to be able to tell the time in the dark

[@eventdomain1]

Timex and Hamilton are great - I just bought a Timex Easy Reader and it actually looks great. Shame about the reflective issue on the Khaki Field, maybe Hamilton will correct that.

[@ShinSoulTC]

Bs. Nobody use automatic movement for military use anymore. Quartz is the one to go. The field style is only an “style” any mechanical watch is inferior to any quartz watch in accuracy terms. Also about the lume, Any lume will only last a couple of hours so is useless for all night ( except with the tritium which is radioactive ) so is only a useless gimmick. If you want something to see at night just go with a timex indiglo, 100% effective. Btw I am between a hamilton khaki field automatic and a boldr venture for a “stylish” field watch. Which one you guys recommend?

[@kdkd4233]

What other watches would be considered better value than this within its price range?

[@Hitch179]

Victorianox field watches very reliable and robust. Same price range.

[@greenerick]

A good few Seiko watches

[@yyzca6126]

Good for show ,not for war.

[@jerroldfrank5869]

You must have toothpicks for wrists. I found the band too small.

[@randyreynolds1045]

Still a great watch

[@tomasinacovell4293]

Pierced lugs would have been so much better for this, considering what that cherry on the top would have done for the retro-aesthetics of the look.

[@AS-vq3wt]

It's not over rated. You have no clue what you're talking about.

[@justiceforall1288]

Not only that, They should've placed lume on the military-time as well.... Just saying. And the fact that they put a khaki-strap on it, while it's nice, that doesn't mean they should jack up the price. I agree concerning the lume. As soon as I saw this review, I was done. It s a gorgeous watch? Sure. Yes it is. No doubt. But that lume (in my opinion) wasn't well thought-out. By them jacking up the price, I wanted to find out why (other than inflation). What other feature did it had. According to rhis video,... Nothing else. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@JohnBuckmaster-sw3wm]

PS… Who wants stretched out holes?

[@jethEngine]

Can the Date Window Identify the Month if it has Day 30 or 31?

[@ShiTingHuang]

It’s a automatic instead of radio/GPS,it doesn’t.

[@kaninangsukasem8936]

great review. how your wrist size ? My wrist is 7 inch . Should I go to 42 mm?

[@watchmegobroke4365]

Mine is 7 1/4. I think the 38mm fits me perfect.

[@marc4199]

7.5" wrist. I prefer 39mm.

[@M82RKY]

I love the Hamilton....... I just love my Alpinist more

[@marc4199]

Thank you for the review. After watching several reviews and reading all the comments, I decided to pass on the Hamilton. Thank you.

[@jeromepaquet4233]

Im buying this now for 800$ cad

[@valenzuelaeph]

Are straps hard to come by with this particular watch?

[@watchmegobroke4365]

Not at all. Its 20mm and there are a billion straps that will work. Stainless bracelets are pretty much limited to OEM or strapcode makes one that works.

[@richieb74]

Well if shinola is bad and low quality then these suck real bad

[@jimlittle5769]

I'd buy it on the leather strap and then switch it to a Nato strap.

[@watchreviews4k]

Good review. Subscribed.

[@skylar.benson]

If you’re looking for an actual military field watch, it’s a G-shock or a Garmin instinct. There’s absolutely no reason to take something mechanical to the field…

[@TexasBulldog74]

Hamilton wont get me as a customer until their field watches have AR and especially SCREW DOWN CROWN! a FIELD watch needs a screw down crown IMO

[@jordanJohnn]

It’s 100meter water resistant, Why does it matter if it’s screw down or not.. generally curious.

[@ARMYRIFLES46]

Anybody vouch for the hand winding being bad?

[@ericdoe2318]

Noice but Liam wore a Glock 19 in the move from what I saw….

[@watchmegobroke4365]

🤷🏻‍♂️ from what I saw it was this

[@fatelvis5791]

i gave a like, only for Fozzie

[@williampetersjr.8551]

I’ve seen other videos on this watch and the lum was much better than in this video.

[@watchmegobroke4365]

The other reviews are blowing smoke. You literally see the hour markers fade while I am talking in the video. Don’t be fooled. Its a major issue with this timepiece.

[@dinner_workingsly]

I’ve bought this watch twice...tried really hard to find the appeal everyone else finds in it. I didn’t ever find said appeal. Different strokes..🤷🏼‍♂️

[@marc4199]

Totally agree.

[@hugowasalreadytaken]

What didnt you like about it, if i may ask?

[@dinner_workingsly]

@@hugowasalreadytaken just the look…it’s outside my usual preference. Nothing wrong with the watch. I thought I could force it but I couldn’t.

[@salmanella1275]

@@dinner_workingsly I hear yuh man..I prefer dive watches…but this one grew on me after wearing it for a few weeks…put it on a steel bracelet and like it even more now.

[@donellmcclure6222]

It should have better lume and anti reflective coating on the underside, a screw down crown, 100 m water resistance and probably not have a display case back. If it was intended to actually be "used" as a field watch. Since that isn't really the purpose I wouldn't consider it over rated. This watch is designed to give the look and feel of older style military field watches and in that it succeeds well. It looks the part and that's the primary objective. A Rolex Submariner could be used as a dive watch, and though it was designed with that in mind 60 years ago, today it is a luxury homage of sorts designed to provide the look and feel of a tool watch from a previous generation. So as a modern dive watch it's a horrible value and over rated but it succeeds well in it's purpose as a luxury sports watch. As far as a functional field/outdoor/camping etc watch a G-shock, simple Casio, Marathon, Traser, or Timex expedition would function much better. But none have the style of the Hamilton or convey the feeling of an old school military field watch.

[@giusepperocchi2979]

In fact it has 100mt water resistance. As for anti-reflective coating and screw down crown, the original field watches by which this one is inspired didn't have neither.

[@RayRay-dr7og]

@@giusepperocchi2979 exactly, i have a 1962 omega seamaster and it doesn't have anything a lot of people are complaining about

[@monkeyman8265]

I have this watch and the crystal is annoying

[@20thcenturyboy85]

Nice watch!

[@Skymann700]

I have one: fog after one swim…..terrible

[@Yaya-hv6gf]

One the H10 movement? Or on the older one?

[@whereRbearsTeeth]

It’s a shitter. Decent watches start around $3k

[@danield6815]

You should do some homework before you post a vid on KZbin

[@jrsoldit]

Put an Omega logo on the dial of this watch, and people will pay $3000

[@tantu2395]

In fact buy a watch is never made you worry unless you try to get some thing beyond your affordable, this is a perfect casual watch, the price is OK, but make sure you don't wear it when entering a church, formal event or some fine restaurant with this "field" style watch.

[@MarcraM82]

good video. Just don't see the appeal.. im not american so maybe, that doesn't help. the power reserve is cool but honestly dont think anyone needs an 80 power reserve. lume is average, dial very busy. i guess if you are after a field watch, with vintage sizing, swiss made for a low cost then its ok. its not overly tooly with its polished finish, shitty lume, low water resistance,very reflective. but then not overly dressy... so not sure what category it sits in.

[@23HENO]

I got the kaki king and it was terrible. Cheap box experience, cheap strap. The watch didn't even work properly.

[@Hitch179]

Massively overrated I am afraid. Lovely to look at and wear but as a field watch fragile and unreliable. Had two. One filled with water first time it got wet Then the second hand fell off. Two expensive services. Second one just stopped altogether So another service. Very expensive to service and repair. It is lovely to look at but if it’s a robust outdoor field watch you want look elsewhere. You will be disappointed with this one in the long run.

[@FouseQuentin]

Totally overrated. The thing is there are not enough 38mm swiss movement watch competition. Spb155j1 is coming hard.

[@goemboeck]

The new Alpinist's thicker, not as accurate as the Ham, and doesn't have the nifty compass bezel from the previous version. Also, the price went up with the new model. I've the previous gen Alpinist and it's a good watch indeed, can't go wrong with Seikos.