Hamilton partners with Activision to launch a limited edition Khaki Field Automatic designed for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, marking the Swiss watchmaker’s third major video game collaboration. The watch appears on the wrist of Axel Vermaak, a character from the franchise, allowing gamers to wear the same timepiece virtually and in real life. Limited to 5,000 pieces worldwide, this collaboration bridges Hamilton’s military heritage with the tactical precision demanded by the Black Ops universe.
Military Precision Meets Gaming Culture
The partnership between Hamilton and Call of Duty builds on the watchmaker’s reputation for precision and durability. Originally founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1892, Hamilton produced timepieces that synchronized the first American railroads and accompanied aviation pioneers before transitioning to Swiss ownership under the Swatch Group. This collaboration extends Hamilton’s philosophy of interactive storytelling beyond cinema into gaming. The brand has already collaborated with Far Cry 6 and Death Stranding 2.
Partnering with Call of Duty makes practical sense, given the franchise’s massive reach. The series has sold over 500 million units and holds the Guinness World Record for the best-selling first-person shooter game. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches on November 14, coinciding perfectly with the release of this watch.
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Technical Specifications
The Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic 38mm is 10.9 mm thick and has a 20 mm lug width. Its stainless steel case houses a multi-finished black dial with Super-LumiNova-coated hour and minute hands that provide visibility in low-light conditions. Hamilton has equipped this model with an H-10 automatic movement that delivers an 80-hour power reserve and includes a Nivachron balance spring that provides magnetic resistance.
The watch is water resistant up to 10 bar (100 meters), making it suitable for daily wear and outdoor activities. The watch features a sapphire crystal to protect the dial and comes mounted on a green khaki NATO strap. A special engraving on the caseback bears the Black Ops 7 insignia, distinguishing this edition from standard production models.
Design Philosophy
With a case size of 38 mm, this watch is accessible for various wrist sizes while maintaining the robust presence expected from a field watch. The black dial contrasts sharply with the steel case to improve legibility. Hamilton chose proportions that reference military field watches without being oversized.
The NATO strap offers durability and the ability to change it quickly. This type of strap originated with British military requirements and remains popular for tool watches. The green khaki color connects directly to military tradition and complements the tactical aesthetic of the Black Ops franchise.
Historical Context
Hamilton’s history with military timepieces dates back decades. The company supplied watches to American soldiers and helped establish timing standards for railroads. Beyond military applications, Hamilton became known as “the watchmaker of filmmakers,” appearing in over 500 films and television productions.
Hamilton’s first gaming partnership was with Far Cry 6 in 2019, featuring the Khaki Field Titanium Automatic. Hamilton followed this with a custom American Classic Boulton in black PVD titanium for Death Stranding 2, further solidifying the brand’s dedication to the gaming industry. Vivian Stauffer, Hamilton’s spokesperson, emphasized that gaming is an immersive medium in which watches help shape aesthetic and emotional experiences.
Movement Technology
The H-10 caliber inside this watch represents Swiss automatic movement engineering. Hamilton increased the typical ETA base caliber power reserve from 38–40 hours to 80 hours by optimizing the mainspring. This extended reserve allows the watch to continue running through an entire weekend without wrist motion.
The Nivachron balance spring is more resistant to magnetic fields, temperature variations, and shocks than traditional materials. Modern life exposes watches to magnetic fields from smartphones, laptops, and speakers, so this feature is practical rather than just technical. The movement beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour and includes 25 jewels.
Wearability Considerations
The 38mm diameter suits contemporary tastes for moderately sized watches while staying true to the proportions of vintage field watches. The 10.9 mm case height allows the watch to easily slip under shirt cuffs. The total weight remains reasonable thanks to the stainless steel construction and NATO strap instead of a heavier bracelet.
The watch is suitable for office wear, outdoor activities, and casual situations. Legibility remains excellent due to the high-contrast dial and luminous hands. The date window at the 3 o’clock position adds practical functionality without cluttering the dial design.
Availability and pricing
Hamilton prices the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Special Edition at €925 (approximately $975 USD). The production run of 5,000 pieces suggests reasonable availability at launch, though limited editions from gaming collaborations tend to sell quickly among collectors. The watch comes in exclusive packaging that references the game.
For comparison, standard Khaki Field Automatic models retail for less, making the premium for this collaboration moderate. The reference number H70475930 identifies this model.