An aviation-inspired watch released this year as part of Hamilton’s 120th anniversary celebration, the Khaki X-Patrol offers a unique and eminently useful feature for anyone who regularly finds himself traveling between America and other world destinations: a mechanical conversion function that allows the wearer to quickly calculate miles into kilometers, feet into meters, et cetera.
The watch’s two scales — one on the periphery of the dial and one on a turning bezel — provide conversions for distance in miles (nautical or statute) and kilometers; heights or altitudes in feet and meters; volumes in gallons and liters; and weights in pounds and kilograms. To make the conversions, you simply unscrew the crown at 9 o’clock to position an arrow for the first unit of measurement on the outer bezel scale. Its appropriate metric or imperial equivalent is then indicated on the inner scale. After reading the measurement, just push the crown back into place and re-screw to secure it until it’s needed again.
The watch is also a chronograph, powered by the new, proprietary, automatic Caliber H21. Three subdials, at 6 o’clock, 12 o’clock, and 9 o’clock, keep track of chronograph hours, chronograph minutes and running seconds, respectively. The pushers to operate the chrono are at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock. The day and date are displayed in a window at 3 o’clock. Caliber H21 also provides the watch an impressively lengthy power reserve of 60 hours.
The dials are available in either black or silver, with contrasting reflectors. The watch is offered on a black leather strap with white contrast stitching, a black rubber strap, or a steel bracelet. The aviation theme is particularly evident even on the caseback, which integrates a propeller-inspired design that allows a partial view of the movement. The turning bezel has a ridged pattern on the side that reminds one of precision engineering. Watch enthusiasts will appreciate some of the other details, such as the visible screws on the caseback and the nonreflective coating on the sapphire crystal. The case is water-resistant to 100 meters (which, thanks to the Khaki X-Patrol’s conversion function, we Americans can quickly translate as about 328 feet). The price is $1,695.
To see the full range of dial and strap versions for the Hamilton Khaki X-Patrol, click here to visit our Pinterest page.
Click below for a video of the Hamilton Khaki X-Patrol…
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As always, Hamilton offers high quality, style, functions, reputation, etc., @ comfortable prices.