Hamilton Khaki Field 'Avirex'

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Manual
34 MM
– Show less
SKU AS05628
Article Number 40990346
case size 34 MM
movement Manual Winding
approximate age 1980s
dial color Black
material Stainless Steel
style Field
category Vintage
bracelet Fabric
lug width 18 MM
Includes Grey ‘NATO-style’ nylon strap with steel hardware.
overall condition The case is in fantastic condition overall showing normal signs of wear from age and use. Matte black Tritium dial with printed 'Arabic' indices is in excellent condition with matching ‘syringe’ handset. Unsigned crown. Fixed spring bars.
Manual
34 MM
– Show less
SKU AS05628
Article Number 40990346
case size 34 MM
movement Manual Winding
approximate age 1980s
dial color Black
material Stainless Steel
style Field
category Vintage
bracelet Fabric
lug width 18 MM
Includes Grey ‘NATO-style’ nylon strap with steel hardware.
overall condition The case is in fantastic condition overall showing normal signs of wear from age and use. Matte black Tritium dial with printed 'Arabic' indices is in excellent condition with matching ‘syringe’ handset. Unsigned crown. Fixed spring bars.

Why We Love it

You can't get much more iconic than the ‘general issue,’ or ‘GI’-style field wristwatch.

Produced under contract for the U.S. military for decades, these simple watches were fashioned by a handful of American manufacturers for American servicemen. Many of these timepieces were used extensively — forged in the infernos by the heroes that wore them.

Due to their robust nature and clean lines, a demand was born for them in the civilian market. Brands such as Hamilton thus continued producing them through the 1980s for commercial sale under their "Khaki" collection with only minor changes from their ‘general issue’ counterparts.

This particular example was produced under contract for Avirex, an American apparel company famous for its military designs, and is essentially a civilian ‘continuation’ of Hamilton’s historically military-minded collection. With added dial text and a simplified screw back case being the only major differentiators, this is the perfect watch for...well, just about everyone! 

Housed in a 34mm ‘parkerized’ stainless steel case with an acrylic crystal and a stepped bezel, it features a matte black Tritium dial with printed 'Arabic' indices, a matching ‘syringe’ handset, the Avirex ‘winged A’ logo at 6:00, and 12- and 24-hour scales in white.

Powered by a hand-wound ETA 2750 — a hardy caliber with a large balance that can be regulated by any qualified watchmaker — this well-sized field watch is a stellar reminder of the place of outdoorsmanship in the American psyche.

Strap on this humble Hamilton to be transported back to a different time!

Brand Story

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The Department of Defense first ordered General Issue (GI) watches in 1964, to outfit soldiers in the years leading up to the conflict in Vietnam. Like the 'Dirty Dozen', the GI watches were made to resist exposure in inhospitable environments. Corrosion-resistant steel cases were utilized to protect the movement from debris, moisture, and shock that it would encounter in the jungles of Vietnam or the deserts of the Middle East.

The DoD contracted GI watches from many manufacturers, the most notable among them being Hamilton and Benrus. While other manufacturers cast their cases in plastic or fiberglass, Hamilton--the first manufacturer to receive the contract in 1964--cast theirs in steel throughout the entire 30 years of production. The look of these watches remained more or less the same during this interval, in keeping with the utility of their design and construction.

Their dials were spartan, and featured printed Arabic indices for both 12- and 24-hour graduations with luminous plots at each interval, with matching luminous 'syringe' hands and a 'spear' central seconds hand which was coated with a healthy dollop of Tritium to ensure maximum legibility. The 17-jewel, manual wind movements fitted were equipped with a hacking feature: a mechanism that stops the second hand from moving when setting the time. This enabled soldiers to synchronize their timepieces for maximum accuracy during elite operations and coordinated maneuvers. Despite the compact size of 34mm, these watches were designed to take a beating.

A:S Guarantee

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Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

Shipping & Returns

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All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

Make it yours will fit standard 18mm watches

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Hamilton Khaki Field 'Avirex'

Hamilton Khaki Field 'Avirex'

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Hamilton Khaki Field 'Avirex'

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