The Low Down

“I regard black as a color that represents responsibility, precision and accuracy. This Khaki Field is an expression and a reminder of those traits that are so crucial to the efforts of the ‘Rainbow Gang,’ and all military personnel. I’m proud to once again have the opportunity to reimagine the original soldier’s watch for today,” says Daisuke Obana, Designer and Founder of Japanese streetwear brand N. Hoolywood.

N. Hoolywood has worked in partnership with Swiss/American watch brand Hamilton to produce a new limited-edition blacked-out Khaki Field for its FW21 collection.

Designer Daisuke Obana, who wears only tee shirts, never dress shirts, is known for reinventing heritage classics with a distinctly modern touch. As a long-time fan of Hamilton’s military timepieces, this latest piece – his second collaboration with Hamilton – is blacked out save for the luminescent hands, the inner 24-hour indices, and the chapter ring.

The watch runs on Hamilton’s trusty ETA base H-10 movement with an extended 80-hour power reserve showing Hours, Minutes and Seconds, and is complemented with a black textile NATO strap.

The new Khaki Field model features a 40mm stainless steel case that is PVD-coated for a sleek, matte finish. The minimalist, monochrome design is designed to contrast perfectly with the new collection’s brightly colored quilted jackets, bombers, jumpsuits and cargo pants. These vibrant colors in the collection echo those of color-coded aircraft carrier crew members who were fondly nicknamed the “rainbow gang.” On the watch caseback is inscribed the words: “Watch, wrist: General Design by N. HOOLYWOOD/Hamilton”. The watch is limited to 300 pieces and comes in monochrome packaging.

IMHO

47-year old Obana, also known in Japan as Mr Hollywood, is the owner of ‘N. HOOLYWOOD’s TEST PRODUCT EXCHANGE SERVICE’ a Japan based store which is the designer’s own interpretation of ‘Exchange Service’ retail stores open only to current and retired U.S. service personnel. Obana’s clothing line was officially started in 2001 and made its debut in Tokyo in 2002 with N. Hoolywood. Since then it has become a top Japanese brand worldwide.

Obana’s minimalist military designs are a shoe-in for Hamilton’s Khaki field watch. The field watch was already purpose built with a minimalist design as a tool for the military. This collaboration gives the Khaki Field watch some serious streetwear cred.

Tech Specs

Movement: Hamilton H-10 with 80-hour power reserve featuring Hours, Minutes, Seconds
Case: 40mm, stainless steel with PVD coating
Strap: Black NATO
Price and Availability: USD1,061; Limited to 300 pieces