Hamilton Khaki Field 'L.L. Bean'

Few watch designs have proven as enduring as the American military field watch. Built around a simple philosophy—maximum legibility, uncompromising reliability, and absolute functionality—these purpose-built timepieces became indispensable equipment for generations of U.S. servicemen. Long after their military service ended, their honest, no-frills aesthetic would go on to define an entire category of everyday watches.

No company is more closely associated with that legacy than Hamilton. A longtime supplier of military watches to the U.S. Armed Forces, the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, manufacturer translated its wartime experience into the civilian Khaki collection, preserving the essential design language of its issued predecessors while adapting it for everyday wear.

Produced in collaboration (before it was cool!) with legendary Maine outfitter L.L. Bean, this uncommon Khaki Field represents the perfect meeting of two iconic American brands built on a shared appreciation for utility, craftsmanship, and the outdoors. Aside from the dual-signed dial and simplified civilian case construction, it remains remarkably faithful to the military originals that inspired it.

Its parkerized steel case houses a reliable Hamilton Calibre 649 (ETA Calibre 2750 base)  manual-winding movement behind a clean matte black tritium dial featuring bold Arabic numerals, an inner 24-hour military track, luminous syringe hands, and tritium hour plots beneath an acrylic crystal. Every detail serves a purpose, resulting in a watch that is as legible and functional today as it was decades ago.

Paired with its green military-inspired strap, this Hamilton embodies everything enthusiasts love about vintage field watches: compact proportions, mechanical simplicity, and timeless design. Add the uncommon L.L. Bean signature to the dial, and it becomes something even more compelling—a uniquely American collaboration between two brands whose reputations were built not on luxury, but on making dependable tools for everyday adventure.

Whether worn on the trail, in the city, or simply as an everyday companion, the Khaki Field remains one of the purest expressions of the tool watch. It's proof that good design never goes out of style.

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.

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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 two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

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

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.