Jewellery & Watch News
The luxury watch industry can’t get enough of bronze with the unique patina-developing material finding particular significance within vintage-inspired watches. One watch with plenty of history is that of the Hamilton Khaki Field and for the first time, the American-Swiss watch manufacturer launches the model engineered entirely from bronze.
The Hamilton Khaki Field is, for many, one of the brand’s best models. It is remarkably affordable despite its Swiss made construction and guarantees a handsome, durable and credible aesthetic on the wrist. It’s origins first began during World War II when Hamilton focused their entire manufacture on supplying soldiers with military spec timepieces, but it wasn’t until 1964 that the Khaki Field was officially launched. The U.S. Department of Défense issued watch specification MIL-W-46374A which would become the template for Hamilton’s 33mm Ref. 9219 watch, a time-only design with a 24 hour inner track. Sound familiar? Its popularity rocketed, particularly during the era of the Vietnam War and remained an iconic as it transferred to civilian life as well. Inspired by it’s past, the new Hamilton Khaki Field Bronze watch brings together it’s characteristic 24 hour scale and robust case shape with the warm tones of bronze, a choice perfectly fitting of its nostalgic aesthetic.
For those of you unfamiliar with the effects of bronze on a watch case, it means with every wear, the material will naturally develop a patina. This means the case will become more complex and weathered over time as it reacts to moisture in the skin and oxygen in the air. Ultimately, each and every Hamilton Khaki Field Bronze watch will turn out unique to its wearer, almost a record of your own story. To be specific, the case of the release is engineered using CuSn8 bronze alloy, which is around 92% copper and 8% tin. This material is used across its entire 38mm diameter including the lugs, crown and bezel but excludes the case back which is instead crafted from titanium to prevent the bronze patina from directly rubbing onto your wrist.
Other than its new case material, the Hamilton Khaki Field Bronze watch retains all the characteristic features of its Khaki Field brothers. It sits at 9.5mm in height, 47mm from lug to lug and promises a 50 metre water resistant rating suited to easy-going outdoor use. Housed within is also the familiar H-50 manual winding movement which offers a power reserve worthy of a much higher price point. With 80 hours of reserve to keep you going, you could happily remove the Hamilton Khaki Field Bronze watch for several days at a time assured that it’s precision would be retained. The movement also delivers a frequency of 21,600vph and 17 jewels.
Centre stage of the Hamilton Khaki Field Bronze watch is a matte black dial detailed with the recognisable 12 and 24 hour markings. The classic 12 hour scale comes first in larger Arabic numerals while the inner 24 hour scale for displaying military time comes in smaller. Both are coated in white-coloured Superluminova which contrasts to the beige Superluminova triangular indexes, central hands for hours and minutes and the lollipop counterweighted seconds hand which instead drive home the vintage sensibilities of the release. Completing the design is a distressed calfskin leather NATO strap dyed in brown secured by a titanium pin buckle.
For more information on the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Bronze watch and to order your own, head over to the C W Sellors website here. You can also get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or message us at sales@cwsellors.com.
Specifications: Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Bronze Watch (H69459530)
- Case Size: 38mm
- Case Material: CuSn8 Bronze
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal
- Crown: Non-screw locked
- Case Back: Closed, titanium
- Water Resistance: 50 metres
- Movement: Hamilton H-50 manual winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Jewels: 17
- Frequency: 21,600vph
- Dial: Matte black with Superluminova markers
- Strap: Brown calfskin leather NATO
- Buckle: Titanium pin
- RRP: £720
