The Ridiculously Affordable Version of this Iconic Field Watch Just Got Even Better

Hamilton expanded the new Khaki Field Quartz collection with a steel bracelet and a new dial color.

the case and dial of a steel hamilton khaki field watch

Published March 3, 2025

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Updated March 9, 2025

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Hamilton did their fans and budding watch collectors everywhere a big favor in 2024 by incongruously making the Khaki Field Quartz watch much better and much cheaper.

I don’t know how this plan makes the American-turned-Swiss watchmaker money, but I know better than to question something this good from a trustworthy brand.

a green hamilton field watch — Hamilton’s new Khaki Green dial Khaki Field Quartz on a new micro-blasted steel bracelet.

As it turns out, Hamilton had a couple more tricks up its sleeve and just blessed the horological universe with two more updates to the inconceivably low-priced Khaki Field Quartz collection. There is now a brand-new dial color called Khaki Green, and all five colors are available with a three-link steel bracelet.

Sticking with the people-pleasing business plan, opting for the steel bracelet only costs $50 more than the nylon NATO strap.

The perfect green

Green versions of the Khaki Field watch have existed in the past, but always in an olive military green. Hamilton’s new Khaki Green is softer, resembling a washed-out old surplus M65 jacket.

a green hamilton watch dial — Hamilton came up with the perfect new color in Khaki Green.

It is such a perfect fit for the iconic field watch that it is a wonder Hamilton didn’t use it decades ago. When paired with an olive drab NATO strap, there is a complementary contrast rather than a boring blending.

The new Khaki Green shines most when paired with the Khaki Field Quatz’s new three-link, aka oyster-style, steel bracelet. It is finished with the same micro-blasted texture as the case, creating a matte frame that enhances the soft green hue.

A legendary bargain

Hamilton’s Khaki Field dial is a delicate subject revered in certain horological circles. Every detail is iconic and has been copied by other brands many times over.

a black hamilton field watch with steel bracelet — Hamilton smartly stuck to its own design history when revamping the Khaki Field Quartz dial.

Minor changes have been made over the past three-quarters of a century, but nothing this significant. A minor slip-up could have been disastrous, but Hamilton handled it masterfully.

The trick is that Hamilton drew from its extensive historical iconography to switch up the appearance while ensuring it still looked like a Khaki field watch.

the bracelet and case back of a hamilton watch — The three-link, or oyster-style, steel bracelet and case back match the micro-blasted texture of the case.

The triangle-dash outside track is replaced by a railroad minute track found on early-twentieth-century Hamilton field watches. Both words on the dial are taken directly from the first commercially released Khaki Field from the 1980s, with the “khaki” stamp being especially coveted by collectors.

The hands and case design, including the crown, are taken from the 38-millimeter mechanical Khaki Field, which retails for an additional $200, or $230 with a steel bracelet.

the brushed steel bracelet of a hamilton khaki field watch — Opting for the new steel bracelet allows you to switch back and forth with a NATO strap.

As long as you’re not a stickler for the sweeping hand of a mechanical movement, which actually makes less sense in a field watch because of shock hazards, the new Khaki Field Quartz not only has a fresher looker than the mechanical version but costs about 50 percent less.