Introducing the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot 36 and Day-Date 42

 Introduction

Hamilton has updated the Khaki Aviation Pilot collection, replacing some now-discontinued references while introducing a new collection stretching the offering to 36 mm large models. Also, a new 42 mmm day-and-date lineup hits the spot.

Size matters in watchmaking and the trend towards reducing the case size keeps going; the collection’s overhaul means that most 46 mm self-winding models phase out, and so do some quartz-powered 42 mm references.

Such a strategy aims, it seems, to extend and pimp up the self-winding lineup while phasing out quartz models and quartz chronos.

The new Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Day Date Auto

Let’s start with the more complicated 42 mm timepieces, whose differences from some of the discontinued models are the following: they display the day and date in line at three. The case slims down from 12.15 mm to 12.10 mm and now houses the H-30 calibre instead of the H-40, whose day of the week is arranged in a curved window at twelve.

Compared to the H-40, the H-30 movement arranges the day and date in line, a feature once available on quartz models. The progressive phase-out of quartz references, chronographs included, proves that the brand is steering towards self-winding watches.

The new 42 mm Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Day Date Auto comes in three variants: midnight blue, green or silver dial paired with a predominantly satin-finished case.

A new Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot 36 mm

Please welcome the new 36 mm Khaki Aviation Pilot. It offers a lovely 11.15 mm thick case, a signature no-date layout, and an exclusive colour and treatment combination that reminds one of the smallest Khaki Field watches. The launch collection includes a classic black or Midnight blue dial, but that’s more on offer.

The latter also has a gold PVD-treated case and a bronze-like livery. An additional option combines a Silver dial with a white strap.

The H-10 calibre powers the watches and, like the H-30 calibre powering the 42 mm models, ensures an 80-hour power reserve and a Nivachron™ hairspring. Hamilton has, therefore, aligned the spec sheet across the board, whatever the size and model, as it did with the X1 Super-Luminova™.

The new Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot’s price list

The 42 mm models retail from €1,075 (steel on a leather strap) to €1,155 if you opt for a steel bracelet and a deployment clasp. Despite the smaller size, the price range won’t change if you’re in for the new 36 mm Khaki Aviation Pilot. The only difference being the rose gold PVD model; it is on a strap but retails for 1,155€.

(Photo credit: Hamilton Watch)

Giovanni Di Biase @Horbiter®