When the Desert Dogs Offroad Adventures guide handed me the neck gaiter and told me I’d need it for the dust, I knew things were about to get real.
I was not surprised, but when you roll out to the Arizona desert to drive side-by-sides, you don’t usually have a $950 watch strapped on as your test gear. Then again, the Hamilton Field Khaki Expedition is no ordinary watch.
In a single day, I pressed the Hamilton Khaki Expedition into some legitimately tough service. First, on a bumpy, dusty, 2-hour ATV drive through the desert, and next on a gentle rafting trip that saw me swimming in the ice-cold Salt River for a good long spell on the 100-degree day.
All this on the invite of Hamilton, a watch brand built largely on the reputation of its iconic field watches.
What follows are my impressions of one of the finest field watches money can buy, yet one that costs less than $1,000.
In short: The Hamilton Field Khaki is an iconic field watch that has earned its stripes. With a history that goes back to 1892, Hamilton has deep roots in military service. This shows in the Field Khaki Expedition version, an automatic timepiece that can withstand the rigors of real-world adventure. The Field Khaki Expedition looks good, is easy to read, and wears comfortably.
Check out our guide to the best field watches.
- Reference number: H70315540
- Case size: 41mm
- Lug size: 18mm
- Movement: H10 Automatic
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Strap color: Various, leather and metal
- Water resistance: 100 meters
Pros
- Iconic design
- 80-hour power reserve
- Deep historic roots
Cons
- On the expensive end of utilitarian field watches