The price/performance monster Hamilton Khaki Field Day Date Auto is coming to change the game.
I always take a fancy to timepieces by entry level brands. The reason for this, of course, is the high performance they offer, despite their relatively affordable price tags. In the luxury watchmaking industry, the extra money you pay may not return in the same rate in terms of performance. In a market where the brand value is at the forefront, this is an expected outcome. Therefore, the brands that perform at the entry level of traditional luxury watchmaking try to offer maximum performance with minimum cost, which eventually create a happy clientele that get the most for their money.
Hamilton Khaki Field Day Date Auto is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. Now, let’s see what we got here...
The 42mm diameter stainless steel case is designed and manufactured for the purpose with the above average workmanship and comfort. The case is equipped with sapphire crystal on the front and display case back at the rear which the movement can be enjoyed through. Although the movement is not a piece of art, it is still good to have a see-thru case back for the ones who are about to take their first steps in to the magical world of watches. The winding crown is screw-lock type which allows the case to be water resistant to 100 meters.
There is not much to say about the movement. The model is powered by the Caliber H-30, which is based on the good old ETA 2386-2. Self-winding movement offers day and date features beside time keeping function and a power reserve of 80 hours when fully wound, thanks to the upgrades applied in recent years.
Throughout the model, khaki tones dominate the color palette as the name suggests. The khaki green fabric strap that comes with the model offers a firm and comfortable feel while accompanying the cream colored dial. If I had this watch, I would have had a variety of NATO straps and enjoy having a different watch every time I change its strap.
Hamilton describes the Khaki series as a watch to accompany the user in their adventures without sacrificing style and functionality. I feel exactly the same when I strapped the watch to my wrist. A friend to be with me in my adventures.. A friend that costs less than a thousand bucks...
