Head vs Heart
I guess almost everyone on here knows this watch. One of the most talked about and widely recommended watches there is. The Hamilton khaki field mechanical. After some time in collecting I was looking for a GADA watch, a everyday wear that’s reliable and of course this watch was on top of the choices. In theory it has the perfect specs: 38mm, mechanical, 80h power reserve, well made, super slim, fits every occasion, wears amazing on almost every kind of strap etc. Additionally while researching, I discovered the broad history this brand watch has so in total nothing stood against it. I even got it factory new for an amazing price well under the list pricing on eBay so after long consideration of course I pulled the trigger.
A few days later it arrived. I liked the dial, the case, the wearability, the changeability of straps , even the way the movement feels when winding…
but…
Something just didn’t feel right. I could not build a connection to it even though my head told me I should love it as it is a rationally really amazing watch. I tried out a few different straps, different occasions but it still didn’t click.
Over time I started to wear it less and less until I finally decided to put it on eBay and get rid of it. Yesterday it was sold an I put it away into a box and brought it to the packaging service. I felt a bit of relief when I did. New space in my watch box for something that fits better. 😍
I don’t regret buying it, I don’t regret wearing it and I’m happy I tried it out. It just wasn’t for me. So after all I learnt something 🤓
Do you make similar experiences? With what watches?
We got so little time on this world, only thing you can do is put it on your wrist.
Nah not really.but I’m sure it can happen to anyone at any point
I’m wondering if you tried it on before buying if it would have prevented it or maybe you had to hangout with the Watch for a while before you felt how you felt
I actually did try it on. A friend of mine has the same watch. And in that short moment I also did like the look and feel a lot … it just didn’t continue once I had my own 🤪
Yes, pretty much sums up multiple Hamilton experiences for me. ... Same with the Khaki, Khaki King X2, X-wind automatic chronograph and most disappointingly the Murph.
Dunno what it is, just can't bond with them. I gifted one Khaki King to a friend who's not a watchbloke and he wears it 24/7. The other king my Mrs snagged and she loves it.
The Murph was the most disappointing, the dial seemed exceptionally flat and combined with the lack of AR rendered it useless in anything other than ideal lighting.
A brand I want to love, but just don't gel with. 🤔
Yes, pretty much sums up multiple Hamilton experiences for me. ... Same with the Khaki, Khaki King X2, X-wind automatic chronograph and most disappointingly the Murph.
Dunno what it is, just can't bond with them. I gifted one Khaki King to a friend who's not a watchbloke and he wears it 24/7. The other king my Mrs snagged and she loves it.
The Murph was the most disappointing, the dial seemed exceptionally flat and combined with the lack of AR rendered it useless in anything other than ideal lighting.
A brand I want to love, but just don't gel with. 🤔
Oh that’s a lot of different Hamiltons. Really interesting how you experienced it that often with one brand 🤔
Oh that’s a lot of different Hamiltons. Really interesting how you experienced it that often with one brand 🤔
Yeah, gutted. Really wanted to like them , love their history and general aesthetics but just really didn't gel with them. A shame .
Will always recommend whenever possible, try it on in person. Nothing will do more to see it on your wrist. To feel the weight of the watch. When I first started in this hobby, most of my purchases were online, but now I must try the watch on whenever possible.
I had a similar experience to you, minus the purchase. I was really excited about this watch based on the specs and the general hype surrounding this model all over the internet. But once I tried it in person, it didn't click. I found its design too flat and the recent price increase completely unjustified for the basic construction and very simple painted dial.
I came to the conclusion that the Swiss Made tax is just too big in this price range and I've been spoiled by the better offerings of Japanese and Chinese brands in the budget segment.
I've lost a bunch of money going through this same cycle.
I'm not even sure how to avoid it.
I do find that if I choose a 'compromise watch' - i.e. somethign cheaper that kinda does the same things as my ideal, these usually don't stand much of a chance!
I also find buying pre-used and good examples, lessens the blow when you don't gel with a piece and have to move it on.
I've had this experience a couple of times, including with the Khaki Field. I don't dislike it, but I have so many field watches that I happily reach for first.
Yes I have done this in the past , I don’t think it is uncommon to buy a watch because it seems like you should like it based on hype and gushing praise, both deserving but ……
Actually I don’t think so. I recently got a lorier falcon - I tried that as my khaki field substitute- which falls in the same category aesthetically imo, and I really love that one.. so I don’t think that is the problem really..
Ouch that’s harsh.. 😅
I had this watch in black. Should have kept it. My favourite things are the good sized crown and I love the dome on the crystal
Love my Hamilton
It happens to a lot of us! I’ve definitely made watch purchases that I regret afterwards. It’s part of the growing process I suppose
This is the danger of "hype" models. We convince ourselves that we want a particular watch because it's got good specs, and is really popular in the community, just to discover that we don't actually like the watch as much as the idea of the watch.
Love my Hamilton
I have a few Hamiltons and I love them. I’d say that while I respect the manual, the auto is the better way to go. More versatile and more of a depth rating.
I had a similar experience with a Boldr Venture Singularity titanium watch. It is beautiful and looks great on the wrist. I just could not get used to the light weight of a titanium watch. Currently it gets no wrist time, and I’ll sell it.
For me, it was the exact opposite. I wasn't really impressed by the watch from the pictures, but i rellay fell in love with it after i saw it live and tried it on. I personally prefer the black dial variation, but that's taste. I would even go so far to say, that the Hamilton Khaki Field 38mm handwinding is my favorite watch in my collection right now✌️
For me, it was the exact opposite. I wasn't really impressed by the watch from the pictures, but i rellay fell in love with it after i saw it live and tried it on. I personally prefer the black dial variation, but that's taste. I would even go so far to say, that the Hamilton Khaki Field 38mm handwinding is my favorite watch in my collection right now✌️
For me, it was the exact opposite. I wasn't really impressed by the watch from the pictures, but i rellay fell in love with it after i saw it live and tried it on. I personally prefer the black dial variation, but that's taste. I would even go so far to say, that the Hamilton Khaki Field 38mm handwinding is my favorite watch in my collection right now✌️
For me, it was the exact opposite. I wasn't really impressed by the watch from the pictures, but i rellay fell in love with it after i saw it live and tried it on. I personally prefer the black dial variation, but that's taste. I would even go so far to say, that the Hamilton Khaki Field 38mm handwinding is my favorite watch in my collection right now✌️
While I do have watches that would be considered GADA, I've only ever bought watches that I really truly connected with/obsessed over. I think buying in person really helped me make that connection. I know it can be difficult to see many of these watches in person so I know people will have to take some chances to see if something really works. Hopefully there are reasonable return policies out there when buying online.
i was shocked by the wr!
Despite all the legwork, research, and due diligence there remains a trial and error aspect of the hobby. Sometimes you just don't bond with the watch, it is completely normal.
Wow I didn’t realize there was Hammy hate. I love my KFA, but like all watches, there are pros and cons.
I had the same experience with Speedy sapphire sandwich. I didn’t have any complaint whatsoever about the watch but I failed to develop connection to it after trying to love it for three years.
I sold it earlier this year and bought SMP300 Seaweed. While I have many complaints about its details, I love it as a whole and I feel pretty sure I will develop the bond and keep it for a long time.
I have the same feeling with my hamilton khaki bronze. Sometimes i love it and sometimes i just dont feel the connection. Now it starts to develop Patina so i hope it will make the connection more consistent.
This has happened to me. Sometimes I just can't bond with a watch. When I put it on and look at it, it starts to micro analyze all my flaws and faults, and soon it's gone.