Hands-On: The Hamilton Pilot Pioneer Mechanical
The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical, in all its various dial and case combinations, has unequivocally been a runaway hit with the enthusiast community. And it’s no wonder why – the watch from which it takes its inspiration, the MIL-W-3818B (and MIL-W-46374), has been championed by the soldiering community since 1962. Now Hamilton has applied the same formula that worked so well with the Khaki Field to another military model from its storied past, the W10. It’s called the Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical.
The military specification that gave rise to the Pilot Pioneer came about in the 1970s, so it’s fitting that the watch features a tonneau case shape. It was also produced for Royal Air Force pilots, meaning the small details, like the railroad track around the dial, are distinct from U.S.-issued watches for which Hamilton is so well known. Instead, the design language appears on watches used in service of her Majesty the Queen. This aesthetic is most visible in the watches that make up the “Dirty Dozen.“
Sizing is true to the original as well at 33mm by 36mm. In fact, when looking head-on, it’s an exact replica in almost every aspect aside from the new mineral crystal (the old one was acrylic) and the absence of the Broad Arrow markings. Even the italicized font used in the 1970s is employed on this re-creation. The inclusion of a period-correct font is a charming touch. Most of the MIL-W-3818B watches featured sterile dials, although some did feature the italicized typeface as well, and that didn’t make it into the Khaki Field, so it’s nice to see the inclusion of this typeface. It also appears on other re-editions, like the Intra-Matic 68 AutoChrono. Turning the watch over will reveal a slightly different case architecture than the original, however. The Pilot Pioneer uses a squared-off caseback that’s secured with four screws. Unfortunately you won’t find any genuine military markings, either. The W10 models from the 1970s featured stock and ID numbers.
Hamilton put the H-50 movement to use in this model, lending a better-than-average 80-hour power reserve, the same that’s found in the Khaki Field. Part of what makes the Khaki Field such a success is a generous power reserve and a robust movement. The H-50 is based on the ETA …read more
