This year, the Swiss-American watch brand will again expand its model range with a line of pilot’s watches. Inspired by “historic” aviators from the 1930s and 1940s, the 2010 Hamilton Khaki Pilot automatic wristwatch offers a lot more refinement one could have asked for in the sub-$1000 range.

The watch will be officially unveiled only tomorrow or perhaps on Friday, but first photos are already in. At the time of me writing this brief review, it is already known that the 2010 Hamilton Khaki Pilot Collection will be delivered in a choice of two sizes that is currently limited to rather large 46 millimeters (ref. H64715885) and a more traditional 42 mm body. Both are crafted from high-grade stainless steel alloy and feature a nice -but, frankly, a tad boring- combination of machine-brushed case and mirror-polished bezel.

Both models will have their oversized setting crowns protected from shocks with crown guards that are nicely sculpted, but, again, not terribly innovative.

One of the most visually appealing versions of the watch will feature a “tactical” black PVD-coated body combined with black dial and black leather strap on two matte-black rivets, although lower resistance to scratches is an obvious trade-off in this deal.

The model will be powered by the ETA 2836-2 caliber and therefore will be able to display not only date, but also the day of week. By the way, the same caliber powers the last year’s Fortis B42 Black & Black Limited Edition (Ref. 647.28.81 K) and the more expensive TAG Heuer Aquaracer 500M Calibre 5 Diver.

What I really like here is the set of applied Arabic numerals and the inevitable triangle at the top of the dial. Done in what looks like nickel-plated steel, they give the matte black face of the model the depth it really needed making the partially open-worked hands with their broad patches of Superluminova look even more organic here.

As you can see on the photos, the Hamilton Khaki Pilot‘s dial sports two scales: outer for the minutes and seconds and the inner for hours.

Accordingly, the broad sword-shaped minutes and hours hands are skeletonized in different ways (the former has hollowed-out bottom part while the latter is open-worked at the tip) drastically increasing the timekeeper’s legibility and making the intentionally dull-looking timepiece a great deal more stylish. Also, the trick allowed Hamilton to avoid the usual problem of B-Uhr-styled pilot’s: they didn’t have to make the hours hand too short!

And with a claimed water resistance rating of impressive 200 meters, you can always be sure that the piece will still work even if you have to make a crush landing on a body of water!

See also: Hamilton Khaki X-Mach Pilot’s wrist watch

Photos: Hamilton

Hamilton Khaki Pilot automatic watch specification

Price range: $1000 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber ETA 2836-2, automatic, 25 jewels, 28,800 vph, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, day of week
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: Stainless steel
Bezel material: Stainless steel
Case shape: Round
Transparent case back: Yes
Case size: 46.00 mm or 42.00 mm
Case height: 12.00 mm
Dial: Black, grey or silvered
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Steel
Strap: Leather
Crystal: Sapphire, AR-coated
Water resistance: 200 meters

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