Hamilton Khaki Aviation Chrono Automatic

Today I'm wearing my Hamilton Khaki Aviation Chrono Automatic. I think this might be my favorite Hamilton so far. It's big (44mm with a 22mm wide strap) but certainly not the biggest watch on the market nor even in my collection. It has a heft to it that just feels right. I think the only thing that might make it better is the factory stainless steel bracelet but I really love the leather strap, so maybe it wouldn't. One complaint was the watch didn't come with a deployant (and Hamilton deployants, bracelets and straps are notoriously hard to buy on their own) so I used the deployant that came with my Field Chrono since I usually wear that on an aftermarket strap. I have no idea why some models come with deployants and others don't, it certainly doesn't seem to go by price, series nor anything else I can think of. On to the dial, which I think is one of my very best looking dials. The sunburst-patterned silver dial with dark grey subdials and printing has just the right amount of extra details, pips, circles, etc. and the delicate but legible hands reach perfectly out to the minute and tachymeter tracks. The unique symmetrical subdial arrangement is a function of the movement, a Valjoux 7753, which isn't as common as the Valjoux 7750 (which is found in my Field Chrono and dozens of other models.) It's a great watch and has excellent timekeeping, classic good looks, great size and I really love wearing it. I don't think I could ask for anything else.

Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic Chronograph

Today's watch is the Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic Chronograph (Model H71556737). This is the watch that I credit with starting my current watch obsession collection. My wife bought it for me on our first vacation together (she was my girlfriend at the time) in St. Maarten. I think the topic of watches came up on the plane while flipping through a Skymall catalog. I knew she was looking for some ideas for birthday and Christmas gifts for me since I'm incredibly picky and pretty impossible to buy presents for. I had always had an interest in watches and had a number already, but nothing I would consider really "good". The watch shops in the Caribbean would change all that, as I really was drawn to this Hamilton. I know the brand is now owned by The Swatch Group, but it does have its roots in Pennsylvania, as does my family. It also seemed to have a classic design very similar to some Sinn models that were way out of my price range. After shopping around a bit (and getting the best price I could) she bought my chronograph and I bought her a very nice, but much cheaper, ladies' Hamilton. At first, the 42mm width seemed huge, but now it's about average for my collection. This has been a great watch, very accurate, and looks great on the original leather strap, NATO straps as well as the "carbon fiber" style strap I have it on now.