Hamilton Khaki Field 'Orvis'
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Why We Love it
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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 the legendary mail-order and retail outfitter Orvis of Manchester, VT, 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, an unsigned crown, and a stepped bezel, it features a matte black dial with luminous ‘dart’ indices, a matching, lumed ‘syringe’ handset, the Orvis logo at 6:00, and 12- and 24-hour scales in white.
With an accessible price point, a bombproof ETA Calibre 2750 manual-wind movement, and spartan military styling that is always en vogue, this timekeeper is the perfect companion for everyday wear — and with the added Orvis provenance, it truly speaks to outdoors enthusiasts everywhere!
Brand Story
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Brand Story
+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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A:S Guarantee
+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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Shipping & Returns
+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.
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Hamilton Khaki Field 'Orvis'
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- Sold