?X-Wind? means crosswind and refers to a special function of the Hamilton Khaki X-Wind Day Date pilots? watch. We accompanied an Air Zermatt helicopter pilot on flights around the Matterhorn and tested the watch to see how it performs in action. (Original photos by Marcus Krüger.)

The Khaki X-Wind helps a pilot calculate how to compensate for crosswind.

Shortly after sunrise, we glide in our helicopter close to rocky ridges, snow-covered peaks and mighty glaciers. Above these towers the Matterhorn, a pyramid of white dusted rock. Our pilot points to a plateau at an altitude above 9,000 feet. As our helicopter approaches, small plates of crust break free from the hardened snowpack and whirl away along with loose snow. We land. Our pilot brings a few skiers and their mountain guide to the starting point of a free-ride tour. The skiers make wide sweeps through pristine snow and ski down toward Zermatt, Switzerland.
A glance at the Hamilton Khaki X-Wind Day Date, our test watch, tells us that the time is 9:20 a.m. The watch?s blue dial with a sunburst pattern goes well with the slightly bluish-white color of the glacial mountains that surround us. The Hamilton X-Wind is clearly recognizable as a pilots? watch thanks to its clear numerals, distinctive hands and sturdy rivets on the brown leather strap. The tip of the seconds hand highlights Hamilton?s signature orange color. The Air Zermatt pilots? Hamilton helmets are the same orange color.

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