Hamilton Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Edition: Radar “lock-on”

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Hamilton Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Edition. Introduced at BaselWorld 2014, it has a detachable movement module which means it can be fitted into a wristwatch housing or stored nicely and separately into a storage box that looks like a cockpit dashboard. Priced at around US$3,295 / 2,500 euros / CHF2,995 / around SGD4,300 (Singapore dollars) / MYR11,000 (Malaysian Ringgit). Photo: © TANG Portfolio. BaselWorld 2014

The 46.3mm Hamilton Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Edition. Introduced at BaselWorld 2014, it has a detachable movement module which means it can be fitted into a wristwatch housing or stored nicely and separately on a storage console that looks like a cockpit dashboard. Priced at around US$3,295 / 2,500 euros / CHF2,995 / around SGD4,340 (Singapore dollars) / MYR10,380 (Malaysian Ringgit). Photo: © TANG Portfolio. BaselWorld 2014

With its “Bullhead look” what with its two chronograph pushers set at the one and eleven o’clock positions, yellow accents for the first 15 minutes on the bi-directional inner rotating flange controlled by the bezel and the aeroplane-shaped yellow pointer on the chronograph seconds hand, Hamilton’s Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono is by itself, already a handsome-looking piece.

But the amazing team at Hamilton, led by CEO Sylvain Dolla and their head of product development, Alexandre Gannac, did not want to stop there; rather, they revived and evolved their earlier concept seen on another amazing product, the Hamilton Khaki Navy Pioneer Limited Edition of 2012.

That concept was the use of a detachable movement module that could be fitted into either a wristwatch housing or a “marine chronometer” box. It was indeed a fabulous idea.

Hamilton’s Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono features a detachable movement module that allows it to be fitted into a wristwatch housing or stored into a cockpit dashboard panel. The Khaki Takeoff is powered by the Calibre H-31 automatic movement with 60 hours of power reserve. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

Hamilton’s Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono features a detachable movement module that allows it to be fitted into a wristwatch housing or stored into a cockpit dashboard panel. The Khaki Takeoff is powered by the Calibre H-31 automatic movement with 60 hours of power reserve. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

In 2014, a similar concept is applied for the Hamilton Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono. This time, the watch can either be a pilot’s watch with the movement module fitted into a wristwatch housing or a “cockpit clock” when it is stored in the watch box.

To secure the movement module, fit the Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono into the wristwatch housing and twist it in the direction of the two yellow arrows to have it “locked” in. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

To secure the movement module, fit the Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono into the wristwatch housing and twist it in the direction of the two yellow arrows to have it “locked” in. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

The Hamilton Khaki Takeoff comes with a wooden watch box that looks like a steel riveted storage case and inside is a removable “console” that looks like part of a cockpit dashboard panel. Taking centrestage is a slot specially made to fit the movement module of the Khaki Takeoff.

Once secured, it becomes a “cockpit clock” or rather, a cool tabletop clock stand.

The Hamilton Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono takes centrestage in the console found in the watch box. Now it becomes a cool “cockpit clock” or tabletop clock stand when this handsome pilot’s watch is off your wrist. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

The Hamilton Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono takes centrestage in the console found in the watch box. Now it becomes a cool “cockpit clock” or tabletop clock stand when this handsome pilot’s watch is off your wrist. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

Hamilton has been on our radar for some years now and the brand has introduced many clever and innovative ideas to revive and refresh the watch collecting hobby in their price segment.

Production of the Hamilton Khaki Takeoff is limited to 1,999 pieces and this watch is likewise, already “radar locked-on” for us as we give it a three-thumbs-up!

Another article on timewerke.com that may be of interest: Hamilton Pan Europ 2014 Edition: Calibre H-30 Day-Date

 

SevenFriday M1: Different Disc Time

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SevenFriday M1 on the wrist of Sugi Kusumadi. Legibility is high with the use of rotating discs. Note the left-hand crown. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. February 2014.

SevenFriday M1 on the wrist of Sugi Kusumadi. Legibility is high with the use of rotating discs. Note the left-hand crown. The signature “squircle”-shape steel case (the word “squircle” comes from the words “square” and “circle”) which is 47mm by 47.6mm houses the Miyota 8215 automatic movement. Priced at around SGD1,988 (Singapore dollars) / MYR5,110 (Malaysian Ringgit) / US$1,580 / CHF1,400 (Swiss francs). Also spotted on his wrist: Muse lava stone bracelet. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. February 2014

The M1 is one model from SevenFriday’s second generation collection officially launched by the brand in Basel, Switzerland in March 2014.

Like the first generation SevenFriday watches, discs are used to display time. However, it is somewhat different with the discs this time (pun most definitely intended).

Rather than use extended arms on two discs for indicating the hours and minutes analog style, the discs itself are used but in digital style.

The hours and minutes are read off the digital display with the reference point corresponding to a straight line (in blue) at the three o’clock position.

Time-reading legibility with such a system is high and this is a major plus point especially with our minor concerns over the first generation SevenFriday collection, as pointed out in two previous articles: SevenFriday on Friday the Seventh and SevenFriday: Seven dazed, not one weak.

[Note: for those who have read: SevenFriday on Friday the Seventh, SevenFriday founder Daniel Niederer was wearing the very cool SevenFriday M2.]

Having the digital reading of the hour and minute (off the discs) on the right of the watch (and the crown on the left) makes sense as this is the section that will peek out of the cuffs if one is wearing a long-sleeve shirt and if the watch is worn on the left wrist.

If the disc displays were reversed, the crown will be on the right and time reading is from the left. If worn on the left wrist, the time display will most likely be hidden by the cuff.

The one teeny issue we have is the time reading of the hours, minutes and seconds which is from right-to-left, rather than from the more conventional left-to-right. This is a small matter as it just takes a short time to get used to this disc system (sorry, could not resist the pun).

Overall, this piece does have the “killer-design” looks. We do like the design execution and style of the new generation SevenFriday, its pricing (sub US$1,600) and we give it three thumbs up! What is important for us is that the DNA of this brand is retained.