Hamilton Khaki Field Auto Ref. H70455553 (Silver Dial)
Field Watch · Hamilton (Swatch Group). Mid-range luxury tier. Originally an American brand known as 'The Watch of Railroad Accuracy,' now part of the Swiss industrial giant Swatch.
Period: Modern Tool Watch / Military Heritage. Drawing from the mid-20th century 'G.I. Watch' aesthetic, this contemporary version maintains WWII-era utility with modern luxury finishing.
Type
Field Watch
Brand
Hamilton (Swatch Group). Mid-range luxury tier. Originally an American brand known as 'The Watch of Railroad Accuracy,' now part of the Swiss industrial giant Swatch.
Movement
Automatic, Hamilton Caliber H-10 (ETA C07.111 base). 21,600 vph (3Hz), 80-hour power reserve, 25 jewels. Features a Nivachron hairspring for anti-magnetism in newer iterations.
Dimensions
38mm diameter, 11.5mm thickness, 47mm lug-to-lug, 20mm lug width. It wears slightly larger due to the long lug design.
Description
The Hamilton Khaki Field Auto is a quintessential entry-point into Swiss mechanical horology. It perfectly balances the ruggedness of a military instrument with the refinement of a luxury timepiece. The silver dial variant offers a more versatile, slightly Dress-Field appearance compared to its black-dialed counterparts. Its 38mm case size is widely considered the 'Goldilocks' size for collectors, fitting almost any wrist comfortably while maintaining historical accuracy.
Key Features
Syringe hands, dual-hour scales (12/24), snail-texture hour track, red-tipped needle seconds hand, and the impressive 80-hour power reserve H-10 movement.
Dial Description
Silver/Silver-white sunray dial with concentric circular graining (snailing) in the hour track. Printed Arabic numerals, 24-hour inner scale, date window at 3 o'clock, syringe-style hands with Super-LumiNova, and a red-tipped seconds hand.
Case Material
316L Stainless Steel; features a combination of satin-brushed surfaces on the lugs and top-case with a high-polished bezel ring.
Crystal Type
Slightly domed Sapphire crystal. No visible scratches. Note: Factory models usually lack significant AR coating, causing some glare.
Bezel Details
Fixed, high-polished stainless steel smooth bezel. Exhibits light hairline scratches consistent with daily wear.
Crown & Pushers
Large, knurled push-pull crown with 'H' logo branding. Designed for easy grip even with gloves; no crown guards to maintain heritage silhouette.
Bracelet or Strap
Aftermarket black rubber/silicone strap. The original reference H70455553 typically comes on a brown leather strap with contrast stitching.
Caseback Details
Screw-down exhibition caseback with sapphire or mineral window showing the H-10 caliber and branded skeletonized rotor. Metal surround engraved with model numbers and water resistance.
Movement Type
Automatic, Hamilton Caliber H-10 (ETA C07.111 base). 21,600 vph (3Hz), 80-hour power reserve, 25 jewels. Features a Nivachron hairspring for anti-magnetism in newer iterations.
Water Resistance
100 meters (10 bar). Suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not recommended for high-impact water sports or divingเนื่อง from the lack of a screw-down crown.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made. Movement manufactured by ETA (Grenchen), watch assembled in Switzerland. Historical roots in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA.
Age Estimate
Modern production, circa 2015-2023. The 'KHAKI AUTOMATIC' text layout and the H-10 movement indicate it is a post-2014/15 version.
Cultural Significance
Hamilton is known as the 'Movie Brand,' appearing in over 500 films. The Khaki Field series is often cited by enthusiasts as the best value-for-money mechanical watch in the $500 category.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The polished bezel shows common swirl marks and light scratches. The crystal appears clear. The original strap has been replaced with rubber, which adds durability but lowers collector value.
Value Estimate
MSRP: $725 USD. Secondary market: $350 - $475 USD depending on the presence of original box/papers and the original leather strap.
Care & Maintenance
Service every 5-7 years for the movement. While it has 10 bar resistance, the push-pull crown is a potential failure point; always ensure it is fully seated. Clean the rubber strap with mild soap and water.
Similar Watches
Seiko 5 Sports Field (SRE003), Tudor Ranger (more premium/expensive), IWC Pilot’s Watch 36, and the Khaki Field Mechanical (manual wind, no date).
Interesting Facts
Hamilton supplied over a million watches to the US military during WWII. The Khaki Field line is a direct descendant of the MIL-W-46374 specification watches issued to soldiers.