A Hands-On Introduction To The New Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Power Reserve

Hamilton’s Khaki Field line is the brand’s most popular and best-known collection. The outdoorsy watches are fan favorites and available in many variations. You can get a Hamilton Khaki Field in myriad sizes, with quartz, automatic, and hand-wound calibers, as well as with many dial options. But today, the brand introduces a new complication on the dial of the Khaki Field Mechanical — a power reserve indicator. The new Khaki Field Mechanical Power Reserve comes in a 40mm case with your choice of a black or white dial.

Until today, the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical has only been available in 38mm or smaller and 42mm or larger sizes. The new Khaki Field Mechanical Power Reserve fills that gap with its 40mm sandblasted stainless steel case. Let’s take a closer look.

The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Power Reserve

As mentioned, the new Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Power Reserve fills a noticeable size gap within the Khaki Field Mechanical lineup. Its 40mm sandblasted stainless steel case sits right between the smaller 38mm and the bigger 42mm versions. The case, and especially its lugs, are more rounded toward the end, and there are no lug holes, as there are on some other versions. However, like its smaller and bigger siblings, this Khaki Field has a nice, big crown for easy winding and setting.

Inside ticks a new hand-wound movement called the H-23. It’s developed by ETA and holds a comfortable power reserve of 80 hours, which has everything to do with the Khaki Field Mechanical’s new complication. The complication is driven by a differential mechanism, which operates through friction. To prevent shocks from causing a desynchronization between the power reserve hand and the actual state of the mainspring barrel, the latter features a slipping spring inside it. When you wind the movement, the system resynchronizes automatically. This slipping spring also ensures that the crown does not reach a hard stop at the end of a full wind.

Choose between white and black dials

You can choose to get the new Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Power Reserve with either a white or black dial. Both versions have a matte finish and feature the characteristic Khaki Field numerals — all 24 of them. On the white variant, the printing and the hands are black, while the black version features white printing and hands. Both have Old Radium Super-LumiNova details on the dials and hands for readability in darker situations.

You’ll find the new power reserve indicator at the 9 o’clock position. It features a red “F” for full and a red “E” for empty. The layout is very practical, matching the overall character of the Khaki Field Mechanical. At 12 o’clock, there’s the Hamilton logo, and finally, at 6 o’clock, there’s text indicating the full power reserve.

On the wrist

For my 17cm wrist, I’m a fan of the 38mm Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical. However, because of the more rounded lugs and modest 47.5mm lug-to-lug, the new 40mm case also wears well. I prefer the look of the watch on the green NATO strap with brown leather details. It matches the exploration-ready vibes of the Khaki Field very well. But you can also swap it out for an Oyster-style stainless steel bracelet with a matching sandblasted finish and quick-release spring bars.

The complication works

I’m usually not really in favor of power reserve indicators on the dial. However, on a hand-wound watch like the Khaki Field Mechanical, the complication adds to the functional character. It’s cool how it looks very similar to a fuel gauge in a car. I think I would’ve preferred the “F” to be in contrasting white or black, but the dial is more balanced as it is, I guess. I also like how the movement provides an 80-hour power reserve, so it doesn’t matter if you forget to wind the watch one morning.

The new Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Power Reserve costs €915 on the NATO strap and €995 on the stainless steel bracelet. That makes it more expensive than both the smaller and bigger variations in the Khaki Field Mechanical collection. However, you do get an extra complication for that price.

Let me know in the comments below what you think of the new Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Power Reserve.