The Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition Is a Dependable, Adventure-Ready, and Aesthetically Pleasing NATO Strap Watch

It’s always a pleasing change of pace when a brand you thought you had all figured out, especially a watchmaker, tweaks a tried-and-true formula ever so slightly, delivering a new lease on life (for your wrist game) in the process.

That could certainly be said of Hamilton, the Pennsylvania-born watchmaker that can trace its lineage from railroad timekeeping to hard-wearing military watches to the big screen (See: watches put to practical use in the extreme worlds of Christopher Nolan’s Tenet and Interstellar).

But the sands of time move swiftly, and what could be so new about a company making watches that likely adorned the wrists of your father and perhaps your grandfather? When it comes to the Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition, there’s actually plenty that’s new, improved, and up for just about anything.

Hamilton is, after all, perhaps best known for its tough-as-nails field watches, the kind that lean more rugged than refined, the kind you wear to roll up your sleeves–be they the sleeves of a crisp Oxford shirt or a chambray work shirt. So any time Hamilton debuts a new take on the field watch, it’s worth noting.

And when I say “up for just about anything,” I truly do mean it. I took my Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition out through the dusty desert of Arizona in an offroad vehicle, then into a stream on a guided rafting excursion, and then eventually, up, up, and away for a sunrise hot air balloon jaunt on an excursion with the brand.

The Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition is available in both 37mm and 41mm case sizes, with each size up for grabs in five new styles. Those five new styles encompass a range of NATO and leather straps, as well as one stainless steel option—all the better for those who favor maximum utility.

The design is focused on neutrality and nods to Hamilton’s military service watches, and in my book, it works. A NATO strap watch is the sort of watch you can throw on with just about any sort of casual look and achieve the desired effect without too much fuss.

My watch of choice was the Khaki Field Expedition on a gray textile NATO strap, an option I’ve lately prized for its versatility. Medium gray wears well with just about anything, but performance counts even more, and this timepiece delivers handily on both fronts.

Hamilton bills the watch as an “all-terrain adventure watch,” a sort of hybrid between a field watch or a pilot’s watch.

Of note: The watch is water resistant to 100 meters, so it won’t replace a dedicated dive watch for those who go deeper. But if the adventure at hand is splashing through a stream on a rafting excursion or diving in the ocean, swim on.

On my gray textile option, hits of black leather play nicely off contrast stitching–both touches feel fairly sturdy. This isn’t a watch that feels unpleasant against the wrist even when it gets wet, thanks to the quick-drying textile strap.

The 41mm case feels sturdy and rests nicely, and the timepiece feels more substantial thanks to its compass bezel. Some might find the compass bezel too thick or bulky (the case itself is 11.5mm thick), but it caused no issues for me in terms of movement or comfort.

The compass bezel is a bi-directional rotating bezel featuring cardinal points, with a mix of line and arrow markings in between. It’s a nifty feature for outdoor adventures. And when you happen to be viewing the sunrise from a hot air balloon, that compass bezel comes in mighty handy. While I don’t use it every day, I find it oddly reassuring, and visually appealing to boot.

The 20mm lug width seems standard-issue and works well–note how many NATO textile strap options are on the market in a 20mm offering.

Whether you choose a Hamilton NATO strap or opt for your own NATO strap to swap in and out, this timepiece, with its silver stainless steel case, is an excellent value given that it pairs with so many color combinations. Plus, swapping out these NATO straps is a breeze.

A screw-down crown maneuvers comfortably and easily, and it’s adorned with Hamilton’s classic “H” logo. The contrasting black dial on my timepiece of choice also boasts Hamilton’s wordmark and that same “H” logo in a way that seems to say, “If you know, you know.”

The Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition can take a beating: I’ve found it to be tough and resistant to scratches on the sapphire crystal or markings on the case, and that covers multiple weeks of wear beyond my Western expedition.

The H-10 caliber three-hand movement also packs a serious wallop for a field watch, with a power reserve of 80 hours. Better still is the fact that it’s visible in rather pleasing fashion through an exhibition caseback.

And back over on the front side of this sub-$1K field watch, pointed hour and minute hands seem poised to strike in military-esque fashion–a pleasing and easy-to-read design touch.

The mix of white minute indices and hour markers also pop nicely against Hamilton’s Art Deco-tinged numerals.

The case and its compass bezel are carefully considered and not overly bulky, the NATO strap dries quickly and cleans off easily, the watch dial itself looks crisp yet rugged, and the overall effect is about as adventure-ready as it gets for a field watch under a grand.

Just when you thought a heritage watchmaker like Hamilton had run out of tricks, they deliver another twist (not unlike a certain British director and his penchant for time-shifting shenanigans).