Comments on: This is Hamilton’s Best Field Watch – The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer Mechanical

By: Hoogle Da Boogle

Hoogle Da Boogle — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 19:45:04 +0000

bahahahaha!!!!! Had a friend who got one for a deep discount. Mineral crystal looked like a cat’s scratching post after about a nanosecond of non-strenuous use. Plus, it kind of looks like a watch you might have found as a prize in the bottom of a box of cracker jax back in the day. There is a reason the 1970s are regarded as largely forgettable in terms of fashion and design– anyone out the interested in a re-issue of a fridge or stove done up in Harvest Gold or Avocado Green? And at a price that is nearly double what it ought to be? Price these things at $100-$150 and I might get one to use as a conversational paper-weight. But nearly $900 for a not-very-robust mechanical “field watch” that even Austin Powers wouldn’t be caught dead in? Nah.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 23:53:53 +0000

The reason for choosing mineral glass over sapphire for a heavy use field watch (with a VERY domed crystal) is toughness. Yes, sapphire is very hard and scratch resistant, but it shatters completely when it breaks. Mineral glass will scratch easier but wil usually only crack when hit very hard. The risk of damage is pretty high on a crystal shaped like this one. That’s the reason Omega originally used a plexi crystal on the speedmaster moonwatch, Nasa didn’t want sapphire or even mineral glass.
I think it’s a smart move, the watch really can be used in tough environments. I would actually have prefered a plexi crystal.

By: JDB

JDB — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 23:34:56 +0000

Having owned at least three Hamilton Khakis, including those discussed here, I agree that the KAPPM is a better finished watch with improved WR over their other field models. And what great charm! It’s the only Hamilton I’ve kept. The ‘aviation’ aspect is just marketing… put a triangle at 12 and it’ll appeal to a broader audience perhaps willing to spend more than us cheap field watch enthusiasts, LOL. As for the mineral crystal… my Wenger field watch’s mineral crystal was a bit scuffed after 15 years of wear, and easily replaceable when serviced. I think the anti-mineral crystal crowd should think twice about such dogma which really doesn’t matter in real world usage.

By: James Mulvale

James Mulvale — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 13:35:06 +0000

In reply to Carlos. Actually, I do have an idea of the costs. My last role was with WatchGecko/Geckota, where I saw the costs factories charge for various components and whole watches. The cost of a domed sapphire is negligible.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 21:27:22 +0000

Have you any idea the cost of having sapphire domed and bent like this? Ask Hamilton how much this watch would sell for if they had to bend the sapphire.