HamiltonJust in time for their 120th anniversary, Hamilton has added a new flagship to the Aviation line of Khaki watches, the X-Patrol, and it represents a terrific value in fully-featured mechanical pilot’s watches. To this end, the X-Patrol features a functional computational bezel that allows would-be Lindberghs to calculate on-the-fly metric conversions for miles to kilometers, feet to meters and liters to gallons all with the twist of a crown. While this isn’t a full E6B flight computer, the likes of which one might find on the iconic Breitling Navitimer, the X-Patrol also won’t set you back as much coin, which means that you can afford more Jet A fuel for your bird.
Otherwise, the X-Patrol sports Hamilton’s new H21 automatic chronograph movement with an extended 60 hour power reserve — useful when breaking long-distance flying records — a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a stainless steel case that can resist water-pressure to the tune of 100 meters (that latter bit comes in handy for seaplane pilots with questionable landing skills).
Now, for those individuals asking whether or not Hamilton has the chops to be making a watch of this sort, let us remind you that their history with aviation extends all the way back to 1919, when one of their watches accompanied the pilot on the very first American airmail trip. Since that time they have laid claim to being the official watch of commercial carriers TWA, Eastern, United and Northwest, going so far as to be named the official timekeeper for United Airlines’ first coast-to-coast flight from New York to San Francisco. Not too shabby.
The X-Patrol is available today with silver or black dial, and comes on your choice of a rubber strap, leather strap or stainless steel bracelet.
Buy Now: $1,695
