Never again!
Oh, I know, this is going to be a controversial post, and I’m ready to take on the heat! But I have to vent a little bit because to whom, if not you, my fellow crunchers, can I do so? I always considered Hamilton watches on the “gotta have one” spectrum of things. Unfortunately, it did not work out for me! I owned a Jazzmaster and liked the look of it, except for the thin, hard as a wooden board, and ugly (colorwise) band it came with, and that she was slightly on the faster side. I didn't care much about accuracy in this case because it was supposed to be my dress watch, only to be worn occasionally. It turned out to be a tack too large for that, and I ended up selling it. Then I acquired this gorgeous Khaki Field and was very happy with it. I hooked it to the timegrapher and the numbers looked okay but not great. After wearing it for a couple days, I had gained 23 seconds. Now that is unacceptable for a Swiss-made watch and for one with Hamilton’s reputation. So I wanted to regulate the watch, as I always do, but could not find the adjustment screw or any kind of lever to rein in the speed! A quick search confirmed that it was not possible to regulate this caliber—at least not without deeper knowledge and skill in fixing mechanical watches. I own several Glycine watches. At a similar price point (I know they usually sell cheaper), they run better than the more expensive Hamiltons I owned! And they are easily regulated. I mean, my Orients run better straight from the factory, and that cheap Chinese crap movement in my Stauer is almost on par with the Khaki! That was unsatisfactory, and I could not keep that watch and sent it back to the dealer I bought it from. I don't know if I was just unlucky or if 10s/day is considered okay. For a Swiss-made watch, I do not think it is. So, 🖕 Hamilton! Never again! And now, bring on the punches, folks! 🤣
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/17594-hamilton-khaki-laser-regulation-really-anyone-been-inside-one/
Here's a discussion on how to regulate it. Needs a special stick, and a screwdriver, and some nerve.
I would have expected better too. It's a disappointment for sure. Sorry to hear it. If it makes you feel a little better, it's a very cool looking watch.
Good luck with it going forward.
I would have expected better too. It's a disappointment for sure. Sorry to hear it. If it makes you feel a little better, it's a very cool looking watch.
Good luck with it going forward.
Don't need any luck. I do not have the watch anymore! 😁 Sent it back and got me a Seiko and a Glycine GMT. Pictures once I received them! 😉
Great! Glad all is good now for you. Look forward to seeing the new arrivals. 👍🤝
No punches from me!
I’m not a fan of Hamilton watches to be honest, then again seiko are fun and adjustable 👍🏻
https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/17594-hamilton-khaki-laser-regulation-really-anyone-been-inside-one/
Here's a discussion on how to regulate it. Needs a special stick, and a screwdriver, and some nerve.
Thanks! I don't own that watch anymore and won't buy another Hamilton for sure. They should be better regulated coming from the manufacturer. Fortunately, there are plenty of other watch makers around! 😁
Thanks! I don't own that watch anymore and won't buy another Hamilton for sure. They should be better regulated coming from the manufacturer. Fortunately, there are plenty of other watch makers around! 😁
Ah. I'm the type of masochist to find trying to regulate that movement an exhilarating challenge. Hopefully it will be useful to someone else...
Lol, no heat from me…Hamilton never featured on my wish list. I’d recommend going Mido, Doxa, Squale, CW…or as you mentioned: Glycine!
Can't comment on regulating the Khaki, but 10spd for a Swiss (or any mechanical) watch isn't terrible. That's generally pretty decent for what you paid.
Can you regulate cheaper movements to better accuracy, sure. But I think a lot of people lose perspective a little bit when it comes to accuracy. COSC certification is -4/+6spd, and watches that are that accurate or better from the factory are typically sold at a premium (on top of just the cost of certifying that movement). To expect accuracy within those tolerances on a watch that is manufactured in the hundreds of thousands of units and a movement that is manufactured in the millions seems... Optimistic, in my view.
That being said, obviously, if any watch at any price does not meet your expectations you should return it and you have every right to do so.
Your opinion is valid. I’m wearing the Khaki Auto and it’s running +4s after 8 hours of wearing, so it’s off 12s/d. It doesn’t bug me since it’s a relatively inexpensive piece which happens to also be one of my favorites. I can see how it could bother other people though.
Your opinion is valid. I’m wearing the Khaki Auto and it’s running +4s after 8 hours of wearing, so it’s off 12s/d. It doesn’t bug me since it’s a relatively inexpensive piece which happens to also be one of my favorites. I can see how it could bother other people though.
It doesn't bother me when it's an orient or seiko. But not a Hamilton! 😁
I own this watch. Runs good and looks good. So if youre losing over 10 seconds in under a week in accuracy my first thought is did it somehow get magnetized? Too late for checking that now but that was my first thought when I read your post. Good luck with the new watch.🤝
Can't comment on regulating the Khaki, but 10spd for a Swiss (or any mechanical) watch isn't terrible. That's generally pretty decent for what you paid.
Can you regulate cheaper movements to better accuracy, sure. But I think a lot of people lose perspective a little bit when it comes to accuracy. COSC certification is -4/+6spd, and watches that are that accurate or better from the factory are typically sold at a premium (on top of just the cost of certifying that movement). To expect accuracy within those tolerances on a watch that is manufactured in the hundreds of thousands of units and a movement that is manufactured in the millions seems... Optimistic, in my view.
That being said, obviously, if any watch at any price does not meet your expectations you should return it and you have every right to do so.
Everybody wants COSC for the price of an Orient. It goes to show how far the industry as a whole has come with modern machining, materials and engineering.
+10 s/d is still within the advertised spec for Hamilton, afaik.
Everybody wants COSC for the price of an Orient. It goes to show how far the industry as a whole has come with modern machining, materials and engineering.
+10 s/d is still within the advertised spec for Hamilton, afaik.
Yes, and no. I don't care about COSC but I agree on your assessment about the industry. However, I do expect some level of accuracy. Every sellita I own, I managed to regulate to about 4s/day. That is not a Rolex but that's were im happy with a Swiss made watch! And if I can do it, so should Hamilton! If there is no distinction between an Orient and a Hamilton regarding accuracy, why spend hundret of $$$ more?
Yes, and no. I don't care about COSC but I agree on your assessment about the industry. However, I do expect some level of accuracy. Every sellita I own, I managed to regulate to about 4s/day. That is not a Rolex but that's were im happy with a Swiss made watch! And if I can do it, so should Hamilton! If there is no distinction between an Orient and a Hamilton regarding accuracy, why spend hundret of $$$ more?
For perspective, you're asking Hamilton to sell you a watch with a movement that runs approximately 2s faster than Rolex certifies their movements for... For 5% of the price of said Rolex.
I think its totally acceptable to expect a certain level of accuracy from a watch, but I think its also important to take a step back and realize how impressive 10spd is for a mechanical watch at that price. Seiko will gladly sell you a 4R35 or a 6R15 that runs 30s fast and tell you its within spec for Hamilton money.
For perspective, you're asking Hamilton to sell you a watch with a movement that runs approximately 2s faster than Rolex certifies their movements for... For 5% of the price of said Rolex.
I think its totally acceptable to expect a certain level of accuracy from a watch, but I think its also important to take a step back and realize how impressive 10spd is for a mechanical watch at that price. Seiko will gladly sell you a 4R35 or a 6R15 that runs 30s fast and tell you its within spec for Hamilton money.
Not really. If orient can do that for a $200 watch, I can certainly expect better for a $1200 watch! And, again, I, a layman, can bring a Glycine into that range, than so should Hamilton. And that Rolex is only slightly better just tells me how overpriced they are.
Just reminds me about my first Hamilton Khaki Automatic experience. It was totally running wrong with around 15 minutes!! per hour! Couldn‘t believe that technically such a failure could be possible. Have sent it back and purchased another one that was running well.
Not really. If orient can do that for a $200 watch, I can certainly expect better for a $1200 watch! And, again, I, a layman, can bring a Glycine into that range, than so should Hamilton. And that Rolex is only slightly better just tells me how overpriced they are.
To my knowledge, Orient doesn't guarantee any particular rate on their movements nor do they advertise that they're regulated. Its quite possible you just got lucky.
I've not once had a sub 500 dollar (mechanical) watch that ran within +-5spd from the factory from any brand unless it was specifically advertised as being regulated, including Seiko, Orient, Citizen, and a host of micros.
To your point about being able to regulate it yourself, there are a littany of stories and posts on the internet of people impressed by the accuracy of their khakis from the factory. This all sounds like a mountain being made of a molehill. Perhaps you got a 3/10 movement instead of a 10/10 from the batch. Return it and buy another on repeat until you're satisfied, or stick to Orient.
As for Rolex, they're regulated to +-2spd if I recall correctly, and they're bulletproof. I've not owned one, not a fan of the image they portray, but the quality of the movements is undeniable. They are over engineered to be durable and accurate and last forever, you could throw a sub under a car and I wouldn't be shocked to see its still running. Does that mean they're not overpriced? No, I'm just making a case for the movements on their own merits.