Hamilton celebrates its Zermatt outpost with an icy, alpine-inspired Khaki Field
Tom Austin- Hamilton’s iconic Khaki Field Mechanical just got a frosty upgrade, as part of a four-part series celebrating the brand’s boutiques that are situated in iconic locations.
- In the 38mm variation, the new watch features an icy, Matterhorn-inspired frosted dial, along with a unique caseback featuring the Swiss mountain’s legendary silhouette.
- The alpine-inspired watch is a Zermatt store exclusive and comes complete with a specially designed blue and white striped NATO strap.
If I were exploring the harsh alpine wilderness, there are probably only a handful of watches that I would want by my side. You need something lightweight, easy to read when the blizzard rolls in, ideally on a NATO for comfort and security, and above all, something dependable and rugged. There’s one watch that stands out as a solid pick from that criteria, of course, it’s the hard-as-nails Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical.
For over a decade, Hamilton has partnered with Air Zermatt, the renowned Swiss air rescue team based in the alpine village of Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. That long-standing collaboration includes a dedicated, air rescue-themed Hamilton boutique, which opened in 2023. Now, as part of an exclusive location-based series, Hamilton has unveiled a special edition Khaki Field Mechanical to celebrate its Zermatt outpost.
We’re all very familiar with the Khaki Field Mechanical now; it’s become an icon in its own right as a solid, dependable field watch that’s ready for anything. Based on the best-selling 38mm variation, this model comes in stainless steel, featuring a bead-blasted surface finish that helps protect the watch from light scratches and scuffs. It’s a slender watch, at just 9.5mm thick, largely due to the thinner hand-wound movement, and its long lugs allow for plenty of room for different NATO-style strap options.
With a push/pull crown, the watch offers only 50 meters of water resistance, but this is sufficient for its size and construction, especially considering its primary function is typically focused on land-based activities. However, other models in Hamilton’s lineup offer more water resistance, such as the Expedition. This model is more about being a traditional, versatile field watch than an out-and-out heavy-hitting tool.
It could be argued that Hamilton’s dial options for the Khaki Field Mechanical are fairly drab, which, of course, is all part of the field watch style, but the latest Zermatt edition changes things. The dial features a frosty ice effect, which reflects and refracts light as it passes over the light blue surface, evoking the spirit of the icy wilderness. Sometimes themed watches can be a little heavy-handed with the look, but Hamilton did a good job here of keeping it relatively subtle.
The good news is that it doesn’t hinder the dial’s functionality, either. The contrasting 24-hour markers and minute track boldly stand out against the frosted dial, along with the brightly lumed hour markers. It’s a slightly busy dial, especially in the smaller 38mm size, but the lume-filled black hands contrast well against the lighter areas, making it still very easy to read.
As the name suggests, and matching the rest of the range, the Khaki Field Mechanical features a hand-wound calibre, namely the Hamilton H-50. Based on the ETA C07.701, it’s a sturdy workhorse that features a substantial 80-hour power reserve, while beating at 3Hz. While it’s a serviceable movement, it’s laser-regulated, meaning that if it does experience any problems, it will need a visit to the factory to be regulated. This is a rare occurrence, though, as the H-50 is typically a very reliable calibre. The movement is hidden by a solid caseback, which features an engraved silhouette of the mighty Matterhorn mountain, exclusive to this special edition.
Another exclusive addition for this watch is the two strap options, both of which are navy blue NATO-style textile straps, with one featuring a solid white stripe down the centre. They complement the new dial variation well, and the striped version stands out from the rest of Hamilton’s offerings across its range. The straps are fixed with an engraved pin buckle and feature leather keepers.
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Zermatt Exclusive Edition price and availability
The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Zermatt Exclusive Edition is available to purchase exclusively at Hamilton’s Zermatt boutique. Price: CHF 595
| Brand | Hamilton |
| Model | Khaki Field Mechanical Zermatt Exclusive Edition |
| Reference | H89459940 |
| Case Dimensions | 38mm (D) x 9.5mm (T) x 47mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Weight | 59 g (with strap) |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Ice blue with frosted texture |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Straps | NATO-style textile straps in dark blue, additional strap with white centre stripe |
| Movement | Hamilton H-50, ETA C07.701 base, hand-wound |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Exclusive to the Zermatt Hamilton boutique |
| Price | CHF 595 |