With a rich history dating back to 1892, Hamilton have long been a mainstay in the watch world. One of the brands defining moments was during the 1940s when the company stopped producing civilian watches and began production for the US Armed Forces during World War II. The demand for rugged and reliable watches continued long after the war, and in the 1970s Hamilton started producing chronographs for the British Air Force.

Hamilton khaki aviation pilot pioneer mechanical lying on rocks with a loch in the background

Staying true to their historical roots, Hamilton have unveiled the Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph, a vintage inspired watch that celebrates the brands association with the British Air Force (RAF). As an official Hamilton partner, we were fortunate to gain early access and decided there was only one thing to do; take this no nonsense, true to form military watch out into the stunning Scottish landscape and put it through its paces.

hamilton khaki pilot pioneer mechanical chronograph on wrist cuff

 

The Dial

The Hamilton Pilot Pioneer mechanical Chronograph features two horizontally aligned subdials at 3 and 9 o'clock measuring the minutes and running seconds. Featuring a concentric circular texture, these two subdials stand out from the subtle grain of the main dial, and as a result adds to the watches legibility. Designed to allow pilots to accurately and reliably calculate speed and navigation; tasks that were incredibly important and potentially life-saving before the introduction of flight computers.

hamilton khaki aviation pilot pioneer mechanical wrist shot over the cuff

Like the original RAF models, Hamilton have coated the sword hands in a white lacquer which works in harmony with the beige Super-Luminova® used on the hands and dial markers. This combination alongside the use of Arabic numerals makes for one of the most legible chronographs we've seen from Hamilton.

2001 Land Rover defender 90 parked on a forest road in Scotland

Our mode of transport for the day - a 2001 Land Rover Defender 90. Another icon of its era.

The asymmetrical "bulge" design is a unique feature and replaces the ubiquitous crown guards found on other watches. Whether you're hopping into your Defender or walking through the living room door, it will do its job of limiting damage should you happen to take a substantial knock.

hamilton khaki pilot pioneer mechanical chronograph crown and pushers

 

How It Wears

On wrist, the Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph wears beautifully. Measuring in at 40mm in diameter and 49mm lug-to-lug, it hugs the wrist nicely and should sit comfortably on various wrist sizes. The highly polished crown and pushers which overhang the case flank do a good job of breaking up the watches 14.35mm thickness. The fully brushed case adds to the watches utilitarian feel, and the use of a double coated anti-reflective box sapphire crystal only increases the vintage charm.

hamilton khaki pilot pioneer mechanical chronograph on owner sitting on top of a land rover defender 90

 

The Movement

The workhorse under the dial is Hamilton's high-performance H-51-Si calibre. Introduced in 2021, the H-51-Si is based on the ETA 7753. It features 27 jewels, beats at 28,800 vph and boasts a massive 60 hours of power reserve. Hamilton have also added a silicon balance spring to improve stability, accuracy and resistance to magnetic interferences. Given the watches historic nature, it's fitting the brand decided to use this hand-wound movement.

Wrist shot of the Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph

 

Our Take

With its clean, military inspired design and modern hand-wound movement, the Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph will last generations whilst preserving its vintage charm. Whether to wear in the office or time missions in your Typhoon FGR4, we are sure the Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph will serve honourably by your side.

Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph On wrist of owner overlooking the Scottish landscape

 

The Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph is priced at £1,800 and is available to pre-order now from James Porter & Son.

 

 

The Specifications

Reference: H76409530.

Case: Stainless Steel.

Glass: Box sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating.

Diameter: 40mm.

Thickness: 14.35mm.

Lug-to-lug: 49mm.

Water Resistance: 100 meters.

Dial: Black grain.

Hands: White lacquered hour and minute hands with old radium Super-Luminova®, white lacquered seconds hand.

Strap: Brown leather strap with pin buckle.

 

The Movement

Calibre: H-51-Si Mechanical Chronograph.

Power Reserve: 60 hours.

Attributes: Silicon balance spring.

 

Pricing & Availability

Price: £1,800

Availability: Available to pre-order now. Delivery May 2022.

Learn more about Hamilton here.