HamiltonKhaki Field Auto | Swiss Made | 38mm Stainless Steel Case | Black Dial Analog Watch | Brown Leather Strap (Model: H70455533)

I'm writing this review because I couldn't find enough reviews about this watch before I bought it. I was scouring the internet looking at every forum, blog post, or article written about the Hamilton Khaki Field. Now I'm kind of a freak about research, so your mileage may vary. Also I have had this for about 3 months, and it really only leaves my wrist when I get in the shower.Initial Impressions:When I opened the box I was surprised at how nice it was. The packaging is a really sleek black box, with a smaller black box inside of it. The watch looks beautiful sitting in the box, all shiny and new. I love the look of the watch, and it does look even better in real life. Out of the box it needed to be wound up in order to get it working, but that was to be expected. I think I gave it like 10-15 turns, set the time and put it on.The leather strap was pretty stiff at first, and it wasn't really that comfortable. I had to work it around in my hands a bit for a couple days but it has since become very very comfortable. It's a very nice thick leather strap, and I'm very picky about leather products. Overall the stitching on it seems solid enough and I think it will last a long time (hopefully, it looks like an exact replacement from Hamilton is $115).Functionality:The watch just works. Part of the reason I got this was because I wanted a watch that would last forever. I got tired of changing the batteries in an old fossil I had, which looked very dated and out of style. This is automatic, so as long as you're wearing it, it works. I check the time against an online source every once (about once a month) in a while and it only gets off by about 2-3 seconds on average. I don't need it to keep absolutely perfect time, so that is good enough for me. The crown of the watch is very large and easy to operate. Twist it up to wind it (be careful not to over wind it), one pull stop sets the date, 2 pull stops stops the second hand and allows you to set the time. The date automatically changes between 10pm and 2am, so it doesn't actually change right at the midnight marker. This is normal functionality (as it states in the instructions), and you shouldn't try to mess with the date between those time periods as you can damage the internals. This is a very different kind of time piece from what I've been used to (cheap) over the years. I really like that if properly maintained it will work forever, no batteries needed.The Hamilton Khaki Field comes with no nonsense garbage on it. Time and date. No day of the week, no altitude, no stop watch, or any other crap that you think you will NEED but 99.99999% of the time all you really need is to know what time it is. I would rather ditch the noise and just have something that works, and functions how a watch should.Looks:Obviously people say it looks rugged, vintage, old military like. I love it because it looks classic, timeless and simple. This is not a watch that in 20 years I will look back and think, damn why did I get that color, or I wish I would have gotten something else. Black face with white hands make it easy to see, and will go with just about anything. The brown leather band looks really nice and if you treat it (I use Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP) it repels water and sweat from your wrist and keeps the band looking brand new (although it did make the suede on the inside look like it had been worn for years, but at least I know it's protected). Overall I think this design will last me forever. I have too many expensive hobbies already and collecting watches is not something I have the time or money for. Getting one watch that will last me forever and I will never get sick of, was my motivation. And the Hamilton Khaki Field (38mm) fills that role for me.I love the font of the numbers. They are clean and simple, and not roman numerals (which I hate!). I also like that it shows the 24 hour numbers on there as well, not necessary for me but I still like it. The red arrow at the tip of the second hand shows a nice touch of color set against the black and white.The Sapphire Crystal is still as clear and scratch free as when I pulled it out of the box. It picks up smudges and finger prints fairly easily so I just wipe it on my shirt to clean it up. But I knocked it on a metal pole once accidentally while walking around downtown and it didn't leave a mark.Cons:Just some minor things that I don't really mind but think I should mention. The highly polished rim around the crystal is really beautiful looking. I even like it in contrast with the brushed steel of the rest of the watch. But I would ultimately like the brushed steel look all over, as that part doesn't show any scratches, but the polished portion has some minor scratching already. No big deal though, it's a watch and it goes everywhere with me, there is bound to be some wear and tear.The glow in the dark numbers are not very easy to see at night. The hands you can make out easily enough, but the numbers are very dim. I've charged them with a flashlight and they were glowing like crazy but it wears off after like 15 - 20 minutes. It would be better to see the numbers easier at night.The Sapphire Crystal has a slight dome shape that really picks up light. So there is glare on it when you look at it. It could be improved but it doesn't really bother me that much. I haven't had a situation yet where I just couldn't read what time it was.Final Thoughts:Do I regret buying this watch? Not at all. In fact I think I love it a little more each day. Would I recommend this watch to friends and family? You bet. Provided they are willing to spend the money, and are willing to properly maintain it. If you don't want something that will need tune up from a professional every two years, don't get this. I take care of the things I own, even if I'm a little rough on them from time to time. This has held up to me over the past few months of constant wearing. Overall it's a solid, classic looking, beautiful watch and I'm very happy with it.Update 1/14/2013:I just wanted to update this review and let everyone know my impressions after owning/wearing the watch for the past 8 months. It's still a great watch. Of course there are a few scratches on the polished steel parts. But not a single mark on the Sapphire Crystal. The leather has also shown very little wear in that time. I wear this thing every day, the only time I take it off are when I shower (and sometimes I've forgotten take it off and showered with it on!). It still keeps accurate time too. Basically This is exactly what I wanted in a watch.The other thing I've noticed is that nobody complements me on this watch. Nobody really takes notice of it, and if they do, they don't feel the need to say something. Which I personally love. This is quality without flaunting how much you have spent. I buy quality items that last a long time, and I will pay more for that. But I don't buy higher priced items to get noticed. If you want people to notice how beautiful and expensive your watch is, look for something else.

After eying this watch for months, I finally decided to pull the trigger, and the watch is as beautiful as everyone says.I previously wore a $100 quartz Pulsar/Seiko with a stainless steel band, and I loved that watch. However, I gave it to my father as his Timex started to corrode. (And I will say, I do sill think that was the best quartz watch I've ever seen.)The Band/Strap.This watch feels much lighter on my hand due to to it's leather strap. Strap was stiff for the first day (as any leather item is) but it feels perfect less than a week later. I do not have it on snug, as I like the watch to be able to move a bit.The strap is handcrafted leather, with a soft back and feels great against my skin. (No more pulled hairs:)The buckle is solid, and has a gently engraved Hamilton logo.I may yet get a nice Zulu strap to give it a less dressier look, and be able to change the straps based on occasion.The Watch.Wow.As this is my first automatic (doesn't use a battery to run, but generates energy from the motion of my hand) I still marvel at this device. It has its own mechanism to accurately measure time. No quartz crystal, no syncing to an Internet time server, this is a self contained timepiece, independent of the outside world. Still blows my mind.The watch is great to hold, there are no sharp edges, or things to cut into you. I think that shows the experience of Swatch/Hamilton and their dedication to customer experience.White numbers on black background are easily readable. The hour numbers and five-minute dots are not just printed but are slightly raised, giving them a nice 3-D look.On the bottom of the face it does say "Swiss Made", and the back does not say Stainless Steel, as in pictures both on Amazon and Hamilton website. Initially, I was worried that this could indicate a replica, but according to other answered questions, that is not the case. And quite honestly, even if it was, I would buy another if I needed to, because this thing is beautiful and obviously high quality.Sapphire crystal face is flawless and slightly domed, but it doesn't stick out like some older watches or cheaper faces.I'm not exactly sure of the size of my wrist, I'd say medium, and the watch is neither too big nor too small.Extras:The second hand, with its red tip is what I really fell in love with, and it's a pleasure to watch it sweep across the face. (It moves in tiny increments, 5 times per second.)Hands and numbers glow in the dark (if they soak up some light), though it's not going to shine or stand out in the dark.Date complication is as expected. I know, maybe you think, who doesn't know what date it is? But believe me, once you're used to having a date on your wrist, it can be frustrating to go about without knowing it.It is a 25 jewel watch, and a few of those jewels are visible through the back window. (Jewels are used as kind of pivot points, or ball bearings, as they can withstand friction between moving parts without wearing out.)My manual is dated November 2015.Crown does not dig into my wrist, nor gets caught on my pants. Crown has a nice steady feel to it, when winding it or adjusting time. (You can wind it to give the watch some energy, but as long as you wear it every day, you don't need to.)Watch was ordered on Sunday evening, arrived on Tuesday afternoon, in great condition. I would suggest maybe using bubble wrap rather than two big pillow bags, but I'm not a shipping expert.Cons:None yet.My watch gains about 7-8 seconds per day, so in about one month it will be 4 minutes fast. I can definitely live with this.I have not yet had any issues with water, but I am mindful of it when washing hands. I never shower or sleep with a watch either. And I take them off when working on cars, server racks, or doing any home improvements. Motorcycle vibrations don't seem to bother it.Update - May 2017:Still love it, no issues. Daily wearer.Update - October 2017: no issues, no water seepage, still keeps the same excellent time. (+7 seconds/day, which is great for an automatic watch)Update - January 2023: no issues.. 7 years later. Can’t get enough of this watch.