The Best Field Watch For 500$ | Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic 38 and 42 Review 

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The 42mm Khaki Field watch was my first foray into mechanical watches about 10 years ago. Since then I’ve added many more “premium” watches to my collection (Omega, Cartier, several Oris, and 4 Tudors), but I still keep coming back to this one. Been wearing it one a gray & black striped Nato strap for years and still find it ruggedly handsome. Glad to see others appreciating this classic timepiece!

I have the 38mm with a black leather strap and it looks stunning. Can't go wrong with any of the Khaki Field watches really. It's definitely one of my most complimented watches at work! Great review Jenni!

I love this video. The combination of history, the editing, the pleasant voice-over and the enthusiasm are stellar. Congrats 👏🏼😘

This watch in 38mm is one of my favorite casual watches. It took me quite a few flips to realize I wanted it over the (many) competitors that can beat it on specs at its price point. For me, it hits an aesthetic sweet spot for me between “pure function” of a matte dial, and a sparkly “elevated” field (C63, Noble, Explorer). I usually prefer bracelets, but this one is so good on any kind of strap - especially perlon or leather.

I always look forward to your watch presentations, well done. Love this watch too and a long time Hamilton fan.

Thanks for putting these two together. I have the 42mm and am fery happy with it. I bought it with leather band and ended up ordering the metal bracelet. You are right, people should go to metal first and then buy whatever they would like to try.

Hi Jenni, great video as always. I bought a 42mm version on the stock brown leather strap over a year ago at £395 on special offer. It's my go-to beater and I prefer it on the leather or a NATO strap to retain it's Field vibe. Marvellous quality at this price point and keeps an incredible +1/+2 secs per day in a rotation with several other watches - the 80hr power reserve helps. A very attractive, if busy dial, but highly legible and I like the varied textures; however the lume is dreadful and there's no AR coating. Nevertheless highly recommended.

I have the silver dial version and it's an absolute strap monster: looks magnificent on any strap and every strap changes the look and feel of the watch completely! The only little niggle is I would've loved a pop of colour on the tip of the seconds hand but otherwise, magnificent watch!

Very cool to see this review. I just picked the 42mm on steel for 25% off last week. It's running at +2 sec/day and looks great. I have some high end watches but this is one of the best buys I've made and this is my go to casual watch. Thanks for the review. Cheers!

I have the 38mm on the bracelet as my daily wear. I recommend getting the bracelet version. You can always buy straps to dress it up or tone it down. It’s a real strap monster! As for me I did get the bracelet version and later purchased the brown leather straps from Hamilton for dressier occasions. Great time piece!

Hi Jenni! Congratulations for the double review... because it specified very well the difference between the two 42mm and 38mm Khaki Fields. Because 4 mm seems small, but it makes a big difference. In fact, I find the 38mm much more compact and pleasant to wear. In addition to being in the first place of my thoughts ... for my next purchase!

As always, great vid and love that you focused on a more affordable watch

My daily for 2 years now. Looks great, and keeps good time. Beat up, scuffed but well worn. Absolutely a great buy

Great video, Jenni. I own two Hamilton Khaki watches, a black dial 42mm and a silver dial 38mm. My favorite thing about them is the syringe hands. The minute hand hits the markers on the minute track perfectly, making setting the watch a pleasure. And I love the red tip on the second hand. The silver dial has a white tipped second hand, which isn't quite the same level of legibility. My Hamilton Khaki Field watches are favorites in my collection. Thank you for another great video.

Great review Jenni!! 🙌

Awesome video! I was looking for a comparison video from a women because my wrists are quite small so thank you! Fell in love with the look of the khaki field watch because it reminds me of a watch my mom had when I was younger, can’t wait to get my own!

Love this review! Hamilton is getting the attention it deserves. Hopefully, you can also feature Certinas!

I love that the thumbnail is just both the 38mm. I personally got the 38 over the 42 even tho most people would probably say it's too small for my wrist. The date window placement not being adjusted to the 42mm proportion also bothers me. Also correct me if I'm wrong, but Hamilton changed the bracelet and the second hand markings from 2020 onwards

I daily wear a Timex Expedition watch (thank you for including it), and I really like it! I do like the look of the Hamilton though, so you've given me something to think about.

Since you talked about readability: I have the Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Auto 38mm (H76205530) with the same movement but very different look - far less busy and also without date window, but featuring a countdown bezel. Inspired by the Model 23 pocket watch, looking very classy on a leather strap. Reminds me a bit of the Hamilton Murph. Love it, except for the not so stellar lume given its higher pricepoint. Still the watch I wear the most, since it looks great and is very easy to read.

Just clicked on this one in 38mm from Amazon. My brother has a field type Hamilton, and in about 12 years it has kept good time and caused him no trouble at all, all while being treated fairly rough. I have a Casio Oceanus S100 and have been looking for a mechanical to compliment it, this will do just fine.

Funnily I was just about to purchase this watch and was deciding which size should be perfect, and here you just made a video! :)

It's one of the few watches left on my radar. Most affordable of any watch I'm considering. I have 4 Hamiltons now, been thinking hard about getting this one, but on a leather strap.

Thanks for the great comparison! I have 38mm version on the bracelet and it's an amazing watch! It's a super quality and fits perfectly my 160mm wrist. It's also a strap monster - any strap of any color looks fantastic and I like changing them, sometimes getting back to bracelet. One thing that I don't like is white date window. I wish it was black, but still I adore this watch!

I too have this watch in 38mm with the black leather band as well as the Khaki King which I put a Fluco Casablanca olive band on and I love both the watches.... They are excellent, accurate, good looking watches.... I have a 7 1/4 wrist and the 38mm fits great, as well as the 40mm Khaki King.... The time they keep is chronometer like, as they run more accurate as any of my other mechanical or automatic watches.... I also have the Hamilton chrono Intramatic which is one of my favorites... Great video Jenni and I love Hamilton, great value for the money.... GG...IN

the more costly deep blue dialed auto titanium is amazing looking. love it.

I’m hearing a lot about Tissot and Hamilton from some big watch collectors. Worth looking into. Thanks Jenni

I have the Hamilton Khaki Field Officer, it is hand winding and it’s been my most accurate mechanical piece in my collection!

My daily is the discontinued khaki field auto 40mm, the dial is slightly different with red between the 10 & 12. The bracket/clasp is also much better quality with no line down the middle and has micro adjustment. If anyone can find one I 100% recommend. Love it!

The 38mm looks amazing. So versatile

I have the 38mm titanium black dial version and I love it!

Was debating the 38mm vs the 42mm (wrist is 7" or 18cm). Personally felt the 38mm fit a touch better, plus the dial looks better (imo) with the date not being offset due to the larger diameter. That said, I also tried on the 40mm Khaki King, and decided to go that route instead.

I have the 38mm watch a great everyday watch! I bought the brown strap - but bought the strapcode bracelet. Would always recommend the full steel version!

I've had this khaki for so long, surprising to see videos still coming out

I love Hamilton. Most watch snobs do. It's a solid company. Thanks for the video!

I'm pretty sure the polished bezel is there so you can fondly remember where all the scratches and dings on it came from when doing field-things. I have both and I know where all the scratches and dings came from.

I thought the 38mm was too small on my 7 1/2" wrist. Very pleased with trading up to the 42mm and I like the bracelet.

Glycine Classic Combat 40 is a nice alternative that is right in the middle as far as size. I feel it is of the same quality and currently own a blue moon phase Classic Combat 40 that I love. Have a great day.

Love Hamilton. Love their history. The fanciest watch I own is Maratac Pilot Watch. At the close of this fiscal year, if I get a decent bonus, this may be on my wrist.

38mm on the metal bracelet here 🙂 But seriously I love it. I got it from Macy's on black Friday for $500 shipped and they recently went from $625 to $725 retail. Also mine is running minus 1/2 to 1 second a day so crazy accurate, so happy with it. Looks like a pilot watch in person

I own the 42mm titanium version with the blue dial and brown leather strap. I love this watch!

Great video! I would like to mention the absolutely fantastic accuracy of that pretty little watch! Mine loses an everage of 0.1 sec/day and shows quite consistent day to day performance. Better than some quartz watches! Would be very interrested in a video about watch accuracy, comparison of watches etc.

There was a time when I loved field watches. Now I prefer diver watches, but if I ever decide to get a field watch, I will probably get the 38. That's a great size.

i wish they also made a 36mm version, the 38mm still wears pretty big on 6.5inch wrists. I got a few 36mm field watches and they wear perfect.

I have the 42mm and I swapped out the leather for a Nato, and it is a great watch in every way.

I got the 42mm KFA on the brown leather strap about a year ago. I liked the watch but the leather strap it came with was mediocre to me, so it sat in my watchbox for a while. Eventually I decided to buy the bracelet in hopes that I would wear the watch more. Unfortunately due to the bracelet only having 2 notches of micro-adjust, I was totally unable to get a good fit. After that disappointment I bought a Horween leather strap for it and it instantly transformed it. I wear it so much more often now. I also got a rubber strap for it for swimming which is great! It really is a strap monster!

Great video Jenni! I think the 38mm would be better for me since it is only 47mm lug to lug. Also, the 20mm lug width would just feel better on wrist.

Great review, thanks.

Very interesting video! Especially useful to see the size difference - my wrist size is 180mm and I've been debating between the two sizes!

A lovely watch, 42mm for my 8.1" wrist, 38mm for the slimmer wristed people. It's great to see the choice. I've reveled in the big 42-44mm watches that have been the trend but I have friends who love my watches but feel they're too big, particularly those long lug to lugs that overhang. It's about time they started thinking of the sub 7" wrists that represent most people! My wife has a 5.25" wrist and really dislikes the usual lady's watches on offer, much prefers watches aimed at men, from 36mm to 38mm. I myself have a 1960 retro Swiss 34mm and though it looks a bit too small on me, I can see the attraction of a small watch to fit under the shirt sleeve. I do agree with those who feel the dial on this is a little busy though with the 24 hr dial. I suppose it's meant to give a military feel to it, but it unbalances the dial.

I own a similar model, the Khaki King II, which is a 40mm daydate. It's a great daily wearer.

I have the 42 mm and I really like it. Thanks Jenni😁

I have the 38mm on a bracelet for my dainty wrist and I love it. It's my daily driver👍

I agree. Go for a flieger. Stowa has all the heritage and reasonable prices.

I think the silicon balance spring in the Hamilton is a massive plus point.

Just got the 36mm manual Pilot Pioneer. Now THAT'S a beauty I struggled with my old 38mm Auto.. really didn't like how shiny the dial is. No anti reflective coating... also the crown is chunky and the dial is busy....I definitely prefer the more simple and elegant manual wind pioneer. It's a retro beauty and so so comfy to wear P.s. it's thinner and smaller too, so it's a real winner for small wrists. I put mine on a bulang and sons 18mm black speedy leather strap and it's very special. The weight of the watch on strap is 50 grams which is great

Love that watch! In the meanwhile I get the Khahi Field I am using a Seiko 5 SRPG29. It is a real and affordable alternative.

Have the 38mm for 3 years. Got it for $285 American. Beat the crap out of it and it’s still +3 sec a day !!! phenomenal watch definitely get it with the stainless steel bracelet

Ich liebe Hamilton. Für ein schmales Budget, schöne Uhren. Ich habe eine Jazzmaster Day Date und bin seit Jahren mega zufrieden. Freut mich sehr, hier mal eine Hamilton zu sehen 😉

Great video! I almost don’t regret getting the 42mm, some days I’m happy I chose that, some days I wish I had gone for the 38mm 🥴🤣🤣 guess I need both

I really enjoy your perspective and your voice is very pleasant.

At 6:34 the 38mm and 42mm labels are reversed (Look at the date window location). Although this video is a few months old now, so I'm not sure anyone will see this comment.

Hamilton has a lot of cool designs. The two that are on my list are the: Ventura automatic and PSR

I have the 42mm version, I wear it on leather and it looks great…… But my wife gifted me the Hamilton mechanical in 38mm and that is my favorite. Can’t go wrong with either in my opinion…

Excellent video!!!

38mm is the overall best watch of all time in my opinion. Swiss automatic movement. 72 hour preserve sapphire crystal less than 42mm (or 42mm if you want) 100m water resist under $400 at time of posting (on leather strap) 24 hr indices (underrated feature) decent lume, display caseback OK maybe it loses half a point for not having drilled lug holes (like other hamilton models) but COME ON. It's damn near perfect.

The date wheel fits the 38 so that's the one I would go with. The 42 looks awkward to me. Thanks, Jenni!

Stunning watch. Alternatively I would recommend the Christopher Ward C63.

Good summary

I have the KFA38 but usually wear the Khaki Field Mechanical-38-Date instead. I like the bead-blasted case and the slightly thinner 9mm case better.

Great review 👍

Glad to see more small watches reviewed. Could you do a video on watches with GMT complication that fit members of the itty bitty wrist committee? Lots of options from the likes of Tudor and Omega, but most are quite hefty on the wrist..

Hamilton has such a great case shape !!!

I loved this watch when I had it. Lug to lug is long on the 38. Scratches easily.

I have this in 42mm. I changed the strap to black leather. I was not a fan of the strap that came with it. That being said it is an all around great watch for sure!

This was my first automatic watch. Kicked off a very expensive addiction 🤣

Out of my 20+ watch collection my silver dialed khaki auto is worn the most

I like my Laco Flieger watch for this sort of look. The dial is less busy.

I have such a soft spot for Hamilton. The khaki field is an icon imo

A very good alternative to the Hamilton Khaki is the Seiko SRPG27. A lot less pricier but decent quality too.

I have the field manual (which they call just mechanical, silly buggers) and I do like it! My main gripe is the lume - it's just not enough. I mean it's fine if you are in sunlight and enter a dark interior or something, but if you spend your evening indoors and shut the lights - not much there. Ironically I feel it's nowhere near the best field watch in the modern era. I'll always pick my square solar G-shock for summer roughing out or the low-temp LCD mudmaster 9000 for winter. Instead the Khaki is at it's best when you want "just a watch". It won't look out of place with anything except dressy clothes, and it doesn't look ostentatious or expensive. Won't piss people off is what I'm saying :D

I went for a 38mm steel on a 7.25 inch wrist. It's a great watch if you can get a deal on it but it's pushing it at full price and obviously relying on the brand name. I like the split link design bracelet, it adds to the character. Personally I would trade the 80 hour power reserve for a hi-beat sweep but it's still a nice feature. One of the best field watches out there, I'm happy with mine.

I’ve been thinking about getting one of the titanium versions

You helped me make my choice went for the smaller

I have two Hamilton Khakis, a 38mm black with bracelet and a 42mm blue with a blue canvas/leather strap. Both are very well done but I definitely prefer the Cincinnati Watch Company Cincinnatus Field watch and esp the Swiss Watch Company Bunker. The Bunker is titanium so probably not quite as robust as the Hamilton or Cincinnati if you work in a rough environment, but otherwise, I like the microbrands more in pretty much every way. They both have a more casual vibe so you can 'dress up' the Hamilton a bit more with a nice leather strap but for daily use, I'd go microbrand if you are sure you are going to keep it for several years. The Hamilton will have better resale.

I’ve had my eyes on a 38 mm, but the titanium version with the green dial. I’ll get one to celebrate for my promotion

Hamilton also has 40mm KF models. And their bracelets are much higher quality than Seikos: fully milled and the links articulate more.

I’m really really tempted to pull the trigger on the manual wind 38mm. Ugh.

I didn’t know about Hamilton until seeing The Martian, wanted one of these ever since lol. I can see why field watches aren’t for everyone but enjoy the no nonsense look

Really good review. I lusted after the 38mm on the brown leather...then after buying I sent it straight back. Turned out to be a marmite watch for me. In the flesh it just didn't do it for me, but that is watch purchasing for you !

It's not on a screw down crown. It's funny I watch this, made me wear my khaki field auto too. Cheers. Wonderful shots and review.

Thank you again 👍🏼

When seeing them in person, the reflections and glow from the 38mm is much nicer than the 42mm. It seems like they designed the watch around the 38mm size and just made it bigger for the 42mm size. I really wish they would make a 40mm with the same glow as the 38.

The hands are called syringe hands and field watches are smaller not bigger. Most field watches are 36mm Flieger watches are the larger ones at 44mm plus

I think the Bulova 98A255 Hack field watch is another great comp to this one

The date window at 3 with a white date wheel is an eyesore. A field watch should be time only!

was thinking the Seiko SRPG27 is a more direct alternative with a pretty much 1:1 match on all the attributes of the Hamilton field

I love this watch, but for two things: 1) A day complication would be greatly appreciated, and 2) I'm not quite there on my watch journey to fork over that kind of coin for a watch when I have a seemingly endless supply of beautiful watches, new and vintage, well below that figure. But when the kids move out, I'm definitely getting one (it just might be 'vintage' itself by then).

Cool watch. Someone's glowing underneath those lighting.