Jewellery & Watch News
Hamilton has a long history within the aviation industry proven long before their modern-day Khaki Pilot and Khaki Aviation collections. Part of the latter is a new trio of Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pioneer watches, one in 38mm and two in 43mm, both inspired by the Model 23 pocket watch from the brand’s extensive archives.
Before we go into detail about the new Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pioneer watches, let’s first take a look at the pocket watch that has inspired it. Named Model 23, the original pocket watch was designed to equip the U.S Forces during World War II becoming particularly valuable to the U.S Army Air Force Navigators. It was engineered from steel and distinguishable for its slender Arabic numerals, cathedral-shaped hands and railway track outer scale. Together these features allowed for exceptional readability both on land and in the cockpit. Comparing the pocket watch with the three new Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pioneer watches, it’s clear to see where the similarities lie.
Both the 38mm and the 43mm Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pioneer watches maintain the familiar cathedral shaped hands, highly legible numerals and the large onion shaped crown which was designed purposely to be easy to manipulate even while wearing extra thick gloves. The smallest reference out of the three, H76205530, is available in a stainless steel case beautifully utilitarian in its construction with a 100 metre water resistant rating and scratch resistant mineral crystal bezel. The bezel boasts unidirectional rotating functionality and is adorned with a 60 minute countdown scale.
At the centre of the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pioneer 38mm watch we’re presented with a handsome black matte dial with grain effect which again adds to the military feel of the watch. In comparison to its larger counterparts, this model keeps the hours, minutes and seconds hands classically at the centre with old-radium coloured Superluminova increasing legibility. Powering these functions is the H-10 automatic winding movement with an 80 hour power reserve, Nivachron anti-magnetic hairspring and 3Hz frequency.
Now onto the slightly larger Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pioneer watches. There are two of these to choose from, both measuring to 43mm in diameter and available in stainless steel (H76719530) or bronze (H76709530). The majority of their architecture is the same as the 38mm variant above with the main difference lying in the movement and the addition of a small seconds indicator at 6 o’clock. Fuelling its dial is the ETA 6498-1 calibre, a traditional manual-winding movement with a 2.5Hz frequency and 50 hour power reserve. The movement can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back when it is not secured to the wrist by the brown calfskin leather strap.
If you’re interested in learning more about the new Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pioneer watches and would like to order one for yourself, head over to the W Hamond website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01947 603330 or send us a message at info@whamond.com.
