American-origin Swiss brand Hamilton is under the spotlight with its new model Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono, which brings together elements of both military and pilot watches under the same roof.
Hamilton is one of the first names that come to mind when it comes to entry and mid-range Swiss mechanical watches. Continuing its activities under the roof of Swatch Group, the brand maintains its place among the favorite alternatives of watch enthusiasts with its models that are unrivaled mainly in terms of price/performance.
The product group Khaki Collection, which stands out with its military-themed "Field Watch" style models, is among the locomotive collections of the brand with its long-term success. The product line, which is among the leading names in its segment with its wide range of products ranging from quartz models to limited versions, is the guest of our pages today with the new Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono model.
The model, which combines the symbol details of military and aviation themes, comes with a 44mm diameter and 14.6mm thick case. On the front of the stainless steel case, there is the Slide Rule Calculator bezel, one of the characteristic details of classic pilot-chronograph models. The bezel, reminiscent of Breitling Navitimer models with its Coin Edge side, is accompanied by a Grade K1 mineral glass insert with black and red characters on it. The case with scratch-resistant sapphire crystals on the front (with anti-reflection coating on both sides) and the back can withstand 100 meters of water pressure, which is a decent value for a sport-chronograph model.
The new model features a black dial with a sunray background pattern. The chronograph sub-dials at 12 and 6 o'clock positions on the dial designed in Tri-Compax style attract attention with their gradient base colors. The dial, which displays the day and date functions at the 3 o'clock position, hosts a black and red font inner bezel and a red-tipped chronograph second hand. Despite its busy appearance, the dial, which offers optimum readability in almost any environment with Super-LumiNOVA covered indices and hands, gets full marks from us with the day/date disc prepared with white font on a black background.
Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono ticks by the Caliber Hamilton H-21 Si, a movement designed and manufactured by Swatch Group. The legendary caliber ETA 7750 based automatic chronograph movement impresses with its silicon balance spring and 60-hour power reserve. The caliber, which operates at a frequency of 4Hz (28.800vph), hosts the hour, minute, small seconds, day, and date features as well as a 30-minute and 12-hour counter chronograph function.
The model we opted for review (Ref. H76726130) comes on a stainless steel bracelet secured with a Hamilton signed folding clasp. The collection includes the same model with a crocodile print brown calfskin strap version (Ref. H76726530) and a black PVD coated/gold plated accents/crocodile print black calfskin strap version (Ref. H76736730).
With its classic pilot-chronograph-themed design, tested & approved movement, Hamilton quality, and stylish variants, Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto Chrono is among the alternatives that deserve to enter the shopping lists primarily for the enthusiasts of this segment.
