I have this watch and I have 3 observations about it. 1: It looks really nice - the quality of the casework is great and it has great wrist presence. 2. It's surprisingly thin. 3: it's fairly large. I call this my "Retirement Watch," not just because I bought it for myself after I retired in 2017, but also because it tells me the day of the week in an easy-to-read banner right across the top. Not having to get up and go to work every weekday, I often do find myself wondering just what day it is. My Hamilton is here to help me out!
@@tyarnold4088 Hahaha - thanks! That profile pic is actually from when I just turned 50, so it's over 10 years old. I've definitely grown a few wrinkles since then!
The best video about this watch for sure! Thank for the history of the design it's based on, I didn't know it, and any other review I watched didn't mention it. Very appreciated!
I’m at 14 timepieces in my collection & don’t have any desire to go any higher on that count. Hamilton provides excellent quality & design for the price-point that most of their watches occupy. The Khaki Aviation is a prime example of an alternative to the Breitling Navitimer at a very attainable price. 👍🏻
I bought this watch earlier this year and it’s been on my wrist almost every single day. I’m not too concerned about lume, so it’s lack thereof doesn’t really bother me. As far as the dust on the dial and warped minute hand, I honestly haven’t been able to find any QC issues with mine, and I’ve started at it for hours just taking it in, it’s a beauty. Also, I’m not a very big guy with only a 6 1/2” wrist, and I still make it work, though it is almost too large for me. A smaller case size would have been ideal. Overall fantastic watch and excellent review of it.
I've owned this watch for about 2 years now and I agree with every point in your video. It's looks large on my slim wrist (never bothered to measure it), but wears very comfortably and I remind myself that it's a pilot watch so it's meant to be legible. And it definitely is. Mine is very precise, only deviating about 2-3 seconds a day. It definitely stands alone from the movie connection and I think it's a wonderful watch, and the connection with Interstellar just elevates it in my mind. And the watch very much fits Cooper, a pilot/engineer so it feels like a natural thing for him to wear.
This is one watch where I prefer the quartz version. A coworker regularly wears the one in your video (black dial auto) and I ended up grabbing a silver dial quartz for a great price. Visually the main difference is the day and date are both at the 3:00. Love the overall look as I've long been a flieger junkie. Love the handset and REALLY love those textured indices. The silver dial has a more obvious sunburst effect. And for whatever reason, the quartz has a screw down crown. I do really wish it had better lume and preferably blue lume. Overall, one of my favorite watch designs.
Could you please do a video about Rado watches. They are affordable well built watches and the vintage watches are amazing. I just bought a few from Japan. I try to buy most of my watches from Japan due to the quality of the individuals there. What a unique opportunity you have to live there and do God’s work.Your channel is fantastic and so informative. Thank you
tokyo resident here - but from the US. i was back in the US three years ago and heard about this watch and i bought it immediately. it has become my favorite everyday and it is absolutely worth the money. if im in a suit i wear my rolex. any other time i wear this.
I just picked one up and am in the process of filming it! But I'm working on about 6 different watches right now, so I'm not sure when exactly the video will be out. Probably still a month or so out.
I got mine 3 years ago, to celebrate 1 year at my job as a professor/researcher. The watch is very well made, i think the best of it are the markers on the dial, tilting it to see the light play with them never gets old.
May firstly say , I’m not surprised you have so many subscribers, your videos are always excellent. As far as the watch is concerned, I have looked at this watch many times and toyed with buying it, the way you have picked out certain details is brilliant, for example the way the hands are skeletonise and the groves on the indices, it really helps look deeper at the detail. This watch on the leather so looks like an IWC big pilot, but with the crown guards it takes you away from the IWC, It’s a real shame about the dust under the lens and unfortunately QC issues seem to have really gotten into watch makers. Anyway Dave I’m a big fan of yours and take lots of inspiration for my own much smaller channel, great stuff 😊
I've had mine 1-1/2 years and it's really great. Not perfect, but great. It runs around +1.5 seconds per day. As mentioned, the applied numerals and their finish really make it legible and very unique compared to most Flieger style watches. The day/date is a nice feature, though my aging eyes wish they were a touch bigger at times (same goes for the 12 hour indices). The watch is still extremely legible and most of the time when I need lume, there's enough. I don't often find myself looking at the watch in the dark when I've been away from light for many hours. Typically I'll need it when I'm transitioning from one room to another or from outside to inside. In those cases, it's great. Would I say no to even better lume? Of course not. I do think the bracelet is a little loose, but still very comfortable and the micro adjusts are easy to move when needed. I picked mine up from Jomashop.
I got a great deal on the leather strap version of the Hamilton Pilot Day Date, but a month or so later I wished I had spent a little extra for the bracelet version... I ended up finding the correct genuine Hamilton replacement bracelet on eBay, so now I have both. I don't like wearing leather strap watches in warm weather, sweat ruins the leather.
Got mine about a month ago and it really is everything folks say about it; I totally dig this design. My dial has no dust on it but the hands are warped - it's actually bending resulting from the hole being punched out - very little reinforcement available on that crossbar section across the hands. I wear mine on a somewhat beat up leather than used to be on a Rotary, nice combo but now that you mention it 20mm is a tad thin for this one, 22mm would be better. Not that I had ever noticed it before.
I own that very watch. I have numerous watches more expensive, but almost none of them get more wrist time. It gets tons of compliments. It’s easy to read, very comfortable and really well made. I highly recommend this watch. I also have several other Hamilton watches and love them all.
Just purchased this watch, most expensive watch I have ever purchased to date. I have been in the aviation industry on several fronts during my working career, but am now retired. I often find myself wondering what day it is. I have owned several Hamilton wrist watches and love the design of Hamilton as well as the build quality. Purchased this new for $694.00 which made me very happy. Can't wait to strap it on my wrist. I am very active and plan to use this watch as my work horse. As a hobby, I repair antique clocks and am around watch enthusiasts as well, so I know a little bit about watches. Anyhow, I am very much looking forward to owning it. I am very happy Swatch kept with the Hamilton design characteristics after purchasing them in 1974. This is a beautiful watch and is a lot of bang for the buck..... love the open back!
Really good review - I have wanted to pick this watch up for a while. The lack of an adjustable balance puts me off but I'm still tempted. Shame about the lume and dust, that really sucks at the price. Nice balanced take and I agree on you 100% r.e. the design holding it's own against the best.
The indices of this watch remind me of the indices on the Seiko 5 SBSA111 / SRPG27K. A nice looking watch but I sold it because the indices were not legible in a lot of situations.
Super Review! Thanks for explaining the Lume & Visibility of this Hamilton. I initially wanted to purchase it years back but wanted it to be more of a "Lume Monster". Good to know that the numbers have been designed to catch the light for visibility.
I own this watch. I have several more expensive than this one and the Interstellar easily holds its own because it is so beautifully and uniquely designed and fun to wear. I also love the distortion afforded by the crystal. Now if only Hamilton could upgrade the loom, I’d buy it in a NY minute. Thanks for reviewing it.
Bought this watch for $600 brand new. It’s been tested at +\- 2 sec a day and has run great for about 2 years. I am always wearing it and am still in love with the design. The ar coating micro adjustments and the great bracelet set it apart from other khakis.
Great video as always Dave! I just don't find it very readable unfortunately. It took me the longest to read by far in the recent readability comparison video because the dial just feels so busy to me, and the handset obscures the hour numerals most of the time. Makes me wonder if people with difficulty reading/dyslexia have more trouble with watch designs like this perhaps? That would be really interesting to study
Bought this right after I've seen Interstellar and also loved TGV's incredible cool review 9 years ago. Still one of my favorite watches in my collection! 😍 Also: yours came from the grey market, right? It's almost if this was a QC rejected model that still got sold? Mine has no QC issues whatever! Dust is unacceptable!
I've had mine for almost 8 years now thanks to Interstellar and it still blows my mind to this day. Keeps great time and looks great in pretty much any attire situation. I've worn it with a suit, shorts and a tee, and everything in between. It handles different straps well which is a lot of fun, but the bracelet is solid. I had it serviced recently at a local jeweler and the cost was fairly reasonable I thought. The water resistance means nothing to me as it's not what I’m going to wear swimming, but it's nice to know that it's well protected from water intrusion. Couldn't be happier with it; incredible quality for the money. You could easily have only this watch and be perfectly satisfied with it as a one watch collection.
I haven’t found this specific model for less than $750 but the version with the beige hands/indices is at $467 right now on Ashford who also happens to be an authorized dealer. I’m having a hard time passing that deal up, yeah the cooper would be nice, but I don’t think it’ll ever fall below $700 brand new because of its tie to interstellar.
@@donniedarko86 For what it's worth, I found mine for 550 on eBay (not an AD of course). I suspect it will be tough to find it that low these days but it's still worth keeping an eye out.
@@DEllisMusic funnily enough I’ve actually found one for exactly $550 on eBay lol, while it’s not in beat up condition I can’t bring myself to pay more for it than a brand new version with beige indices that I can patina myself. The beige is growing on me, offers a bit of a vintage style I think but after I get it in hand I’ll decide if it’s for me.
I've had my eye on this watch for years...I love the symmetrical day date. I love my seiko SNK-809...but I always thought this Hamilton would wear a little too big on my 7 inch wrist.
I much prefer the simple design of a typical fleiger. The mish mash of design elements on the Hamilton combine to produce a very ugly watch imo. Let us know what you think of it a year from now.
this was my first automatic watch, and will always be my favorite. Hamilton watches offer quality that surpasses their prices, and I bought mine from Jomashop. This watch is a tool watch but works very well with a suit, too.
A stunning watch. Love it, love the film but too big. At 42 mm and thin bezel wears large. Such a shame. 40mm would be perfect and would pick it up in a heartbeat.
Excellent review Dave. The dial design and handset are exceptional. 40mm is usually my cutoff point though. I wish more watch companies would use handsets similar to this.
Just had mine under the magnifier and it is without any defects or dust luckily. Agree on the lume, it is horrible. I like a heavy watch and 42mm is my sweetspot with an 8in wrist. My other 42's just have a more solid bulk feel to them than the Hamilton. I am a bracelet only guy, and this bracelet is ok but not fantastic. Overall it feels more fragile than my BB and Oris 65, even the Steinharts I have feel more solid with a bit of heft to it. That said, I still enjoy wearing it and really like it, even if it is different than my other similar sized watches. Oh, and a screw down crown please Hamilton! I enjoyed this video. Subbed
@@tancreddehauteville764 Did not even know a 46 existed. I have a 46mm Breitling SuperOcean and that is the biggest I will go. But prefer 42's. They just sit nicely.
For the QC issues, could that be a Jomashop problem? I heard that they sell the "returns" that the manufacturers get, which is why they're sold at a lower price.
At first, I didn't like this watch, but as I looked at the details in the design - especially the brilliant thought behind the skeletonized hands, it's grown on me. I'm seriously thinking of getting this one for my 60th birthday and selling my Laco Achen. Question - what are those items flanking the watch at 4:56? It looks like a keyboard with a know on it and maybe a media player on the right? They look intriguing. This is an excellent and balanced review on a modern classic from a heritage brand.
The Keyboard is thing is a special board for my video editing software with shortcut keys and a jogging wheel. The media player is my old Zune from back in the day!
POWERMATIC 80 I NOTICE the sweep. I would gladly pay extra to have 4 hrtz 2824-2’s running my watch any day. To castrate a beautiful movement for “80 HOUR POWER RESERVE!!!!” Oh sure, that’s why they (Swatch/ETA) cut them off. Look through that gorgeous display back and find the balance spring. Notice anything? Nope…..no regulator arm so YOU CAN NOT regulate your watch. Your watchmaker can not either. Send it back to Switzerland and NO WATCHMAKER will touch it. Just change out components…silicone hair springs eventually just disintegrate ….. yeah, that “PowerMatic 80” got it going on. Smh…..
Hamilton Pilot Pioneer is a better option in my opinion. This one is too busy and too shouty. And the pilot pioneer has the essential onion crown and the movement is gorgeous.
First of all I really like your presentation style. Your comments are fair and unbiased, too. I like this watch and you made me kind of love it. Bit let down by those hands finishing, though. And I especially cant accept dust on the dial. Hrmmm. I may have to reconsider this one, but we'll see. I still really like it overall. Love the design. I wonder, though, if the newer version in 36mm might be a better fit for me and my seven-inch wrist.
Overall feels of quality - Just Great! In hands it feels luxury. I have quartz version and it looks better for me (200m of wr, by the way!). Lume not very strong , but Beautiful! On quartz - especially.
How is this not a watch that's trying to be something else? A brand with American heritage, using a German design from WW2, converting it into an everyday watch. Personally, that's exactly why the watch doesn't appeal to me: I just don't get the concept of it.
I returned mine for the dust problem, that’s a lot of money for me to spend and I couldn’t get over it. Jomashop offers a 20 dollar refund for it, just not sure why a 200 dollar watch I bought from Spinnaker has no dust but a 700 dollar watch does.
Great review on a watch I'm trying to ignore. Lume is a huge shame for me as my Stowa and Laco burn all night(can't believe the triangle doesn't have any)but also agree about the hand design. Still in two minds. Thanks for a great review.
I bought one of these in 2018 second hand with the older 2834-2 high beat movement. It was my second automatic watch purchase. I haven't been able to find any QC issues like you describe with mine. Runs great at a solid -5s/d. These used to be available at around $600 new and have been creeping up. Still a great watch for the money especially if you're looking for something truly different while remaining tasteful.
I am respectfully waiting for you to do a review of the new Orient III Mako Solar Panda Chronograph. I believe you looked at the other new Mako III divers and maybe chronos, but I have not seen a review on the Panda which is the only one I care about. Hopefully, you will be able to review the Orient Panda soon.
I know too many Hamiltons who have had serious issues even with splash resistance. When 30M WR Casios can be taken diving while Hamiltons can't even handle rain that's inexcusable.
I got the same Hamilton Khaki King Shane has ... in the same colorway (Champagne) absolutely LOVE it. But this is lovely too ... dare I say the details and the bracelet make it a better value.
I disagree with the bending or warping of the sides on the minute hand where it is skeletized . If you look carefully and move the watch side to side to reflect light both edges are perfectly angled downward all the way up to where the mintue pionter starts. In my opinion beautiful design touch by Hamilton. Also theirs no dust issues with my Watch but i agree with the lume being weak.
Great photography of the watch! For me it is too big & heavy. It does look good on your wrist. I'd rather get a flieger in a slightly smaller size or in Ti. Perhaps as I am not American I am less able to over look the cheaping out on the lume & the QC. I do love the full day & date combo but prefer a watch where they are further out towards the edge of the dial, as per the classic Rolex look.
Really like this one but I couldn't raise the funds so settled on a Khaki 38mm. They make nice watches but do fall down on the lume. I never really gelled with the Khaki and mines currently up for sale.
I have this one. In the nine years I've owned it, it's been nothing but trouble. Back to Hamilton twice under warranty. Currently at a local watch repair for a third time. It's a great looking watch that's completely turned me off of the brand.
Wow, what a watch. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. BTW Have you considered a shirt with a gunman holding someone up at night with a text cloud reading ¨just the watch¨? I always thought that is what the name meant. lol
Hamilton do a great job of placing watches in iconic movies, Interstellar being one of them. The producers asked Hamilton for watches for the movie and Hamilton turned around and designed a watch specifically for Interstellar - the Murph Khaki Field watch, which in itself, is quite a cool watch. I was after the 'Murph' watch, when I noticed the Hamilton Day Date Pilots watch, as worn by Cooper in Interstellar, played by Matthew McConaughey. Movie watch placement definitely works and particularly associating with such a cool guy like Matthew McConaughey. That was it. The Murph was forgotten about and I sourced a new Hamilton Day Date Pilots watch for a super price. I love the design of it, with standouts being the curved Day indicator at the 12 position, the Arabic numerals with a sweet colour changing reflective-glow quality, the semi-skeleton hands, the arrow second-hand and of course the pilot style dial. Bugs for me are the tiny date indicator and the slightly too small in width bracelet. Otherwise I love this watch and it is a watch I will never sell and will always cherish!
They messed up dial completely, that oversized triangle 12 a clock marking and the shiny polished numbers and hands makes it look like a cheap fashion watch, numbers and hands should have been white, like its on flight instrumentation.
That trick of integrating beautiful elements into a utilitarian design is something Hamilton is really good at. You can see it in the Khaki King (especially the champagne dial) and it's evident here too. To be honest I've dismissed this watch as boring but this video showed me so much that I missed, great review.
I have the blue dial version of this watch and feel that the lume on mine isn’t too bad. My indices have a greenish hue in the day time so I’m wondering if they used C3 instead of C1.
No, like nearly all automatic watches the date function will always act as if there are 31 days in the month, so for every month that is 30 days or less you'll have to adjust it manually on the first of the following month. Some battery powered analog watches will be able to figure that out, but to get an automatic watch that does that you're looking at spending tens of thousands of dollars most likely to get an annual calendar or perpetual calendar complication.
