Field watches are one of the great watch genres, and the standard by which all models are judged is still the battle-proven Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical. Despite ever-increasing prices, you will pay £545 for the entry-level model they keep selling. And why not? They are fabulous examples of the class in every measurable way and, despite never really changing their style, look fantastic.
Our office Khaki is the classic manual wind 38mm matt stainless steel case with a white dial powered by the H-50 calibre specifically developed by ETA for Hamilton's hand-wound watches. It has an extended power reserve of up to 80 hours. The watch typically comes with a 20mm pin/buckle 2-piece fabric, but we have to say that the venerable Field Mechanical is one of the best watches of all time to swap straps on.
Here are some of our latest favourite combinations.
Vintage Highley Genuine Leather Watch Strap - Light Brown - £68
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical One of the best pairings for the Hamilton is the Vintage Highley in Light Brown. The colour and style perfectly complement this watch and maintain a vintage military look. One of our best sellers, the Vintage Highley, is a classic within the WatchGecko range of leather straps.
Thickly padded (6mm thick at the lug end) and made from the very best Italian vegetable-tanned, full-grain leather, the supple pull-up leather is oiled and will age with grace, picking up patina as you journey through life with your black dial watch.
Turon Vintage Handmade Spanish Leather Watch Strap - Dark Brown - £68
The Turon strap takes inspiration from Spain's history, named after a beautiful town in the Andalucia region inhabited since Roman times. Available in the same four natural colours, the Dark Brown Turon brings a high-end vintage appearance to the Hamilton Khaki.
The strap is hand-stitched twice at the top, where it attaches to the watch, and also enhanced with stitching at the buckle and tip.
V-Stitch Distressed Leather Watch Strap - Light Brown - £68
Our V-Stitch Distressed Leather Watch Strap offers the right look for a field watch like the Hamilton that's been in service and taken the knocks. With a 4mm to 3.5mm tapering thickness, the Italian leather can withstand a great deal of wear whilst still being pliable from the outset, and it conforms well to the wrist.
The simple double stitching makes this a very versatile strap with little extra detail to detract from the quality of the leather. The strap also comes equipped with quick-release spring bars for easy strap changes and a stainless steel buckle etched with the WatchGecko logo for reassurance of a genuine quality product.
Boutsen Cavallo HS Sport Racing Watch Strap – Taupe - £128
A high-end strap for a watch that's the elite of its genre! The Boutsen Racing strap is handmade from Horse leather that has been vegetable-tanned with leaves and olive tree bark, achieving a beautiful and supple grain that feels very comfortable on the wrist.
Each Boutsen Racing leather strap is unique and timeless. Experienced artisans dedicate much time to creating each strap, never compromising on quality and always striving to offer the best leather. It's a very different look for the militaristic Hamilton Khaki, but it works.
1973 British Military Watch Strap: AIRBORNE Elastic - Khaki & White - £18
So perfect is this combination that we use the white dial Hamilton Khaki as our model watch to advertise this strap. The military styling of this 1973 is second to none. The desert colour perfectly complements the orange indices of the watch on the white strap is the continuation of the white dial. This strap and watch could have been made for one another.
The strap is comfortable to wear in all conditions and very easy to adjust, made from a combination of nylon and elastic rubber webbing material woven together. It is fitted with stainless steel brushed fittings and etched with the ZULUDIVER logo.
Vintage Canvas Military Watch Strap - Army Green - £20
If you want to give your Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical a perfect World War Two or Vietnam look, then the Vintage Canvas Military in Army Green Single Pass is the ideal choice. This type of strap was built to service field watches so what better platform to fit into than the Hamilton which again, we use to model the strap.
The Vintage Canvas is our take on the original British Military A.F.0210 which predates all of the straps of this style and was extensively used on Dirty Dozen watches in World War 2. While the Hamilton is US issue, the strap and watch combo is still very striking.
Ridge Military Nylon Watch Strap – Green - £24
Yet another strap we like to advertise on this very white dial Hamilton. The WatchGecko Ridge design offers a chance to give your watch a classic vintage look. This premium strap has a subtle ribbed texture to the nylon, similar to old-fashioned military webbing. The 1.2mm thick nylon is incredibly tough and hardwearing.
The buckle and keepers are fashioned from stainless steel, and the keeper nearest the buckle is floating so that you can adjust it to suit the excess nylon you have.
Endurance Rubber Watch Strap Brushed Buckle - Congo Green - £58
One of our toughest straps for one of our toughest watches. The endurance series is considered one of the best evolutions of the ZULUDIVER brand and is so well suited to the Khaki Mechanical.
The Endurance strap uses a moulded base with soft and durable FKM rubber sidewalls. The surface of the watch strap is filled with precision-cut leather with a seamless finish. The upshot is a rugged rubber strap, which gives the look of a leather strap but will not react adversely to moisture on your wrist.
The creation of the Endurance watch strap placed a high priority on attention to detail. The pin holes feature a rubber ring to preserve their form after several fastenings. A high-grade brushed stainless clasp and quick-release spring bars lock the strap onto your Hamilton Khaki, and colour-coordinated stitching adds cohesiveness.
Vintage Tropical Style FKM Rubber Watch Strap – Green - £48
Our Vintage Tropical straps have been around for a while, but this green variant represents the latest generation available in new colours. Inspired by the golden age of diving in the 1960s, this type of strap transitions perfectly to a quality field watch that benefits from many of the same characteristics. A generous tapered tail, classic style keepers, and a period-accurate textured pattern make for a stunning strap. Hi-tech FKM rubber and quick-release spring bars ensure this is a modern creation.
The smaller perforated vents are carefully designed to allow airflow to your skin for significantly greater comfort in hot climates. Perfect for the next time you take your Hamilton into the jungle.
The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is one of the world's finest field watches; the only thing that can wear is the original strap. However, as you can see from this selection, the watch is eminently suited to the broadest possible variety of new straps, so if you're lucky enough to own a Khaki Mechanical the white or black dial or even the new bronze case, then why not try some of the above suggestions and send us pictures of your new look Hamilton.
