Hamilton Look to the Skies with Redesigned Khaki Aviation Pilot Collection

Seven New Khaki Aviation Pilot Watches

Hamilton kicks off the new year with seven new pilot watches to celebrate the brand’s history of aviation inspired timepieces. More than a century ago, Hamilton watches could be found in the cockpits of U.S. Airmail flights—beginning in 1918 with the very first voyage from New York to Washington, D.C. These latest offerings endeavour to continue the spirit of invention and adventure. The Khaki Aviation Pilot will be offered in two sizes—a four reference 36mm Pilot Auto, and a 42mm three reference Pilot Day-Date.

Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Watch Review — The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Day-Date @calibre321

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Key Features of the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot

Here we feature the 42mm blue dial variant on a stainless steel bracelet. The watch is 12.1mm thick and 51mm lug to lug. This is not a small watch, to be sure, but it looks and feels well-balanced in its proportions. Like a true tool, the case and bracelet are predominantly brushed and look great.

Predominant brushing @calibre321

The design is straightforward and devoid of ostentation, and, as such, exudes a rugged, utilitarian vibe. It is somewhat more streamlined in its silhouette than previous versions of the watch.

Once again, Hamilton reach for the reliable H-10 automatic movement to power this beast. It boasts an 80-hour power reserve, as well as a an anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring.

The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot gets a face lift @calibre321

New dial design

The dial here is perhaps the greatest departure from past iterations. The partially skeletonized sword hands, while similar in shape, are far more bold this time around. Gone is the printed sector dial at the centre, but in its place we find a subtle groove and a simplified 12-hour index to break up the expanse of real estate. The outer index remains a brash 60 minute track, but we also find an angled rehaut which adds the suggestion of depth. The day and date which once appeared at twelve and six, now cuts through the dial in the 3 o’clock position.

Hugely legible, even in broad daylight, the watch is also prepared for after hours duty with a lavish helping of Grade X1 Swiss Super-LumiNova on the hands and cardinal markers.

While it may seem a little pessimistic for a pilot watch, the Khaki Aviation Day-Date also offers up a perfectly acceptable 100m of water resistance—though it does not have a screw down crown.

Despite being largely redesigned for 2024, the Khaki Aviation Pilot Day-Date comes on a familiar three-link bracelet with a milled clasp. Alas…no comfort, or on-the-fly micro-adjust here. Though with a 20mm lug width, strap options will be more or less endless.

SPECS

Case	316L Stainless Steel 42mm Diameter 51mm Lug to Lug 12.1mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Case Back 100m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Sapphire Crystal /w AR Undercoat Printed Markers Sword Handset Super-LumiNova
Movement	H10 (ETA2824) 25 Jewels 21 600bph 80-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Stainless Steel 3-Link Bracelet /w Folding Clasp

Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Day-Date

Final Thoughts

While the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Auto caters to the current downward trend in case size, the Khaki Pilot Day-Date leans into the tradition of the Flieger. By no means close to those 55mm originals, the Khaki Aviation Pilot Day-Date does represent a simplification in design—a movement toward the function for which pilot watches were originally intended. Of course, this is not a reissue, nor is it entirely vintage in its aesthetic—as we can see from the bracelet and the case shape. One might even call the over-sized hands “playful.” Nonetheless, the Pilot Day-Date does represent a return, of sorts, to its roots.

While future iterations would do well to consider a tool-less adjusting clasp, the new Khaki Aviation Pilot makes for an affordable and attractive GADA piece.

Pricing & Availability

The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Day-Date retails for $1,045 USD on the steel bracelet. For more information, please visit the brand website.

About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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