Hamilton: My trauma companion

Of the current six watches in my possession, three of them are worn as truly no frills, down and dirty, “Which body fluid was that”? And of those three that make the cut, this 38mm Hamilton Khaki Field is the most prized of the bunch. I figure, if it was designed to old military specs, it can withstand whatever an ER can throw at it, right? Between my cheap, reliable, quartz Timex Expedition and my practical Wenger Swiss Military quartz chronograph, this still happens to be my most chosen to join me in the emergency department as a true tool watch. Maybe it’s because of the storied Hamilton history, or maybe it’s just the allure of the automatic movement. The others have meaning and still see wrist time, but the Hamilton Khaki is truly the gold standard. 
 

Edit: I’ll add the Wenger 70960 for comparison‘s sake. A truly useful watch that was gifted to me by my parents when I started working in healthcare. A true gem in it’s own right that seems to be a unique find.

Reply
·

Great watch and awesome share! 

·

fun fact, Gregory House in the show House wears a Hamilton as well!  Awesome watch!

·

Hard to beat the quick legibility and quality for the job, agreed. 

·

Great choice! I do find quartz watches easier to count RR though 😅

Image

My ER rotation companion 😁

·
nytime

Great choice! I do find quartz watches easier to count RR though 😅

Image

My ER rotation companion 😁

My first mechanical was a Longine HydroConquest which is entirely too nice for ED use, so I had to get a mechanical that was up to the job. Settled in the Hamilton. Love the quartz in my collection, but there’s something about not having anything electronic on your wrist.. 

·

Ever check out the Sinn EZM 12? The bezel is designed to snap off so you can easily clean underneath it. An ideal medical provider watch.  

·

Thank you for serving the community working in the ER. I have a massive amount of respect to those who work serving the general public. I too have a Hamilton Khaki Auto that I love to bits and pieces. I don’t use it in an intense environment such as an ER as I am an accountant but it is my constant companion. Thanks for sharing!

·
Dsoeer

Ever check out the Sinn EZM 12? The bezel is designed to snap off so you can easily clean underneath it. An ideal medical provider watch.  

I’ll have to give it a look! I’m always looking to see what other providers wear. 

·
Jn30642

Thank you for serving the community working in the ER. I have a massive amount of respect to those who work serving the general public. I too have a Hamilton Khaki Auto that I love to bits and pieces. I don’t use it in an intense environment such as an ER as I am an accountant but it is my constant companion. Thanks for sharing!

Don’t mention it! Glad to share the Hamilton appreciation with you 

·

How does the leather strap stand up to frequent hand washing? I always wear a bracelet at work and obviously no watch when scrubbed in. Leather just falls apart on me after a year or so. 

·
revrosso

How does the leather strap stand up to frequent hand washing? I always wear a bracelet at work and obviously no watch when scrubbed in. Leather just falls apart on me after a year or so. 

So far so good. If anything it was a little stiff to begin with so it’s helped break it in and give it a nice worn look. I alternate with canvas straps on it too since it can pair with basically any strap you throw at it. What specialty are you?

·

Oh yeah, I started my watch journey on "watches for work" that quickly got out of control for "watches at work with multiple time zones for a conference call in a secure space".  Whatever gets you there!

·
IcedHocchiato

So far so good. If anything it was a little stiff to begin with so it’s helped break it in and give it a nice worn look. I alternate with canvas straps on it too since it can pair with basically any strap you throw at it. What specialty are you?

IR, you?

I can see that, I have been wearing a Seiko 5 on a canvas on occasion as well, with 22mm lugs it is a strap monster. 

·
revrosso

IR, you?

I can see that, I have been wearing a Seiko 5 on a canvas on occasion as well, with 22mm lugs it is a strap monster. 

Trauma RN. Yeah love a good strap change up. The Seikos are so customizable. But this one can def have anything on it. 

·

It really is a great timepiece. I have been considering a Murph for the same reason. Lately my favorite daily wear has been a SMP 300 on the bracelet, comfortable and durable. I also, as you note, love the mechanical aspect of it. I don't check a lot of pulses (other than looking up at a screen) but there is something classic about it. But I do worry about messing up the Seamaster or losing it, but heck I bought it to wear it, didn't I?

·

yo , nice watch and hats off to everyone that works in the er, you guys save alot of lives