Hamilton is a mid-tier brand with a long history of watchmaking that can be compared with that of Swiss counterparts.
The company is popular for making high-quality timepieces with excellent designs and unparalleled value for money.
Hamilton used to supply military watches during WWII which is the reason why they have many utilitarian products that are designed to be tough and functional.
One of their popular creations is the Hamilton Khaki King which has a military theme mixed with vintage classiness.
The History of the Khaki King
The Khaki King is a large collection consisting of a variety of watches with classic, sporty, and utilitarian designs.
All of them are built to last everyday use while maintaining the vintage appeal they’re known for.
Design and Movement
The Khaki King has a brushed stainless steel case measuring 40mm wide and 11mm thick.
When it comes to its thickness, the watch has a thinner profile than your average watch.
It also has a skeleton case back that lets you see the intricate insides of the timepiece.
The Khaki King has a fixed, silver-tone bezel made of polished stainless steel.
Its stainless steel lugs have a curved shape that hug the wrist for better wearing comfort.
The watch is secured by a leather strap with a tang clasp.
The crown is well-protected by crown guards that protrude out of the case.
The crown has ribbed sides for easier grip and features the usual “H” logo found in Hamilton creations.
The dial is obviously inspired by military field watches with its legible face and sharp printing.
It is graced with large Arabic numeral hour markers like those found on pilot watches.
On the inner portion of the dial, you’ll find 24-hour markers that are useful for GMT tracking.
On the noon position, you’ll find a huge day window that clearly spells out every day of the week.
The large display and font make the feature easy to see at a glance.
Just below the day display is the date window which is the exact opposite of the former in terms of legibility.
Its small font size makes it look like a part of the hour markers on the dial.
The Hamilton Khaki King is equipped with sword-shaped hands and an arrow-tipped second hand.
Both the hands and markers have a luminescent substance applied to them.
The dial is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating for enhanced visibility.
As a tool watch, these features are essential in ensuring legibility and durability during everyday use.
The watch runs with a calibre H-40 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve.
The movement is originally called ETA 2834-2, but because it has been heavily customized by Hamilton, it was called Hamilton H-40.
The stock ETA 2834-2 used to have 28,800 BPH.
The frequency was reduced by Hamilton to 21,600 BPH to conserve energy and bump up the power reserve from 38 hours to 80 hours.
The Hamilton Khaki King boasts an accuracy of -/+15 seconds per day which is acceptable for an automatic watch in its price range.
The drawback of reducing frequency is the decrease in the smoothness of hand movement.
Many watch enthusiasts consider this an acceptable compromise considering it reduces the wear-and-tear on the moving parts, resulting in longer service intervals.
Talking Points
Here are some points to consider that will help you decide whether you should buy the Hamilton Khaki King.
Wearability
The overall size of the watch puts it in the middle ground that makes it a versatile timepiece wearable by anyone.
When it comes to weight, the watch has just the right heft on the wrist.
The case feels solid that you’ll notice the weight on your wrist, but not too heavy that it becomes a burden to wear for a long time.
The leather strap and the curved lugs make the watch very comfortable to wear throughout the day.
Luminosity
The lume has been applied on both the hands and markers on the Hamilton Khaki King, but it’s not that bright to the disappointment of users.
The dullness of the applied lume makes the face hard to read at night.
Legibility
With all the features displayed on the dial, you’ll think that the Hamilton Khaki King has a crowded watch face.
However, Hamilton managed to pack all the features without introducing a cluttered and hard to read dial.
The color combination and the sizing of each component on the watch face give the watch excellent legibility.
It may not be minimalist, but the watch does a good job of presenting a beautiful and readable watch face.
Price
The price of the Hamilton Khaki King ranges from $400 to $600, which is just about the right value for a mid-range watch.
What you get is an excellent timepiece with a heritage design and a tough build that’s great for everyday use.
FAQs – Hamilton Khaki King
Is the Hamilton Khaki King water-resistant?
The watch is water-resistant up to a depth of 50 meters only.
It’s designed for casual swimming, but it cannot withstand the pressure brought by diving activities.
Is second hacking possible with the Hamilton Khaki King?
The H-40 movement allows seconds hacking, but the adjustments can be jumpy because of the lower movement frequency.
Can I replace the strap of the Hamilton Khaki King?
Absolutely.
You can use your favorite NATO or rubber strap and they’ll perfectly fit the military-themed Khaki King.
How long is the warranty on the watch?
The Hamilton Khaki King comes with a 2-year warranty which is the average length given by watch manufacturers.
Conclusion
The Khaki King is an impressive tool watch that offers exceptional value for money.
It has a vintage appeal, a military-inspired design, a sturdy build, an impressive finish, and a reliable movement.
It’s the perfect watch for everyday casual use.
Whether you’re a watch enthusiast focusing on a military-inspired collection or an everyday user looking for a reliable tool watch, the watch will surely meet your needs.
