Hamilton is starting the new year on an exciting footing. One that speaks volumes about the brand’s values and mirrors the concerns of today’s consumers. Choosing to begin the year with a series of pilot watches may seem like a niche stance, but the details give one an appreciative pause. This pause reflects not only on what is facing them but also on what is to come.
The new Khaki Aviation Pilot timepiece series is available in two sizes with seven models. Across all of them is one detail that you should take notice of – a water resistance of 100 meters. Combined with the anti-magnetic titanium-based Nivachron balance-spring, these new pilot watches make ideal watches to be worn daily.
With the rise in costs in every facet of life, from everyday necessities such as groceries and medication to luxury goods, today’s consumer demands their products do more and do so reliably. This is especially true of mechanical watches. Hamilton is responding to this new post-pandemic reality with a series of watches offering ultimate versatility in aesthetics and function.
Everything about these new watches reads as to them being an ultimate daily wearer. All models utilize the recent Grade X1 Super-Luminova, known for its strength and endurance. Whether you choose to go with the 36mm or 42mm model, you will be treated to an 80-hour power reserve, which makes this a timepiece incredibly easy to live with. The 36mm models use the H10 calibre, while the 42mm models use the H30 calibre, which features a day-date window at the 3 o’clock position.
For the 42mm models, the silver dial variant comes on a lighter brown strap, and the blue dial comes with a striking bracelet. This bracelet, which also comes with the black and blue 36mm models, has an interesting polishing on the borders of the slightly raised centre link. Hamilton’s bracelets, as of late, have impressed us with their quality in terms of overall feel and robustness. These bracelets do not feel cheap, and they will put up with decades of abuse. From experience, we advise those buying a model with a leather strap also to buy the bracelet. Of note, there is a 36mm PVD-coated rose gold case option with a midnight blue dial and a beautiful silver dial model, which is my personal favorite thus far.
Pretty soon, we will publish the full review of the green dial variant of the 42mm model, which comes on a dark brown leather strap. This strap has the aviation-inspired and winged Hamilton logo embossed on it, along with twin buckle tang holes. Given our recent experience with the Khaki Field Expedition models, which you can read in our full review here, we are excited to see this new strap in action.
I am interested in seeing how the green dial performs in person. It will be interesting to see how it presents itself in the boardroom and while on a rural hike, hours away from civilization. The new luminescent paint also excites us, and I look forward to using this watch at night and relying on it. Prices for this new line of pilot watches range from $1320 to $1430 Canadian.
Watch this space for the full review.
