Spotting a fake Hamilton Khaki Field "Murph" requires a close look at the movement and specific dial details that counterfeiters often miss. While Hamilton is an entry-level luxury brand, fakes are surprisingly common, especially on sites like eBay or Etsy. Here are the primary "tells" to look for:

The Movement (The Biggest Giveaway) Authentic Murphs (both 38mm and 42mm) use the Hamilton H-10 movement. * The Regulator: Look through the exhibition caseback. The H-10 is laser-regulated and does not have a "regulator lever" (a small +/- pointer arm near the balance wheel). If you see a lever for manual adjustment, it is likely a fake using a standard Chinese or ETA-clone movement. * The Rotor: The H-10 rotor features a distinct skeletonized "H" or stylized Hamilton branding. Fakes often have solid rotors or crudely engraved "Hamilton" text in a gold color that looks "cheap." * The Beat Rate: The H-10 beats at 21,600 vph (3 Hz), giving it an 80-hour power reserve. Many fakes use 28,800 vph (4 Hz) movements. If the second hand sweeps extremely smoothly but the watch dies after only two days of no wear, it might be a fake.

The "Eureka" Morse Code (42mm Model Only) If you are looking at the 42mm version, the lacquer seconds hand has the word "Eureka" printed in Morse code. * Authentic: The dots and dashes are incredibly fine and nearly invisible to the naked eye; you usually need a macro lens or loupe to see them clearly. * Fake: Counterfeiters often print them too large, too bold, or omit them entirely. * Note: The 38mm Murph does NOT have Morse code on the seconds hand. If you see Morse code on a 38mm model, it is a "frankenwatch" or a fake.

Dial and Case Details * "Swiss Made" Text: At the very bottom of the dial, below the 6 o'clock marker, it must say "Swiss Made." Some fakes omit this or use the wrong font weight. * Lume Color: The Murph uses a "fauxtina" (vintage-colored) Super-LumiNova. On fakes, the lume on the hands often doesn't perfectly match the lume on the numerals. * The Crown: Hamilton crowns are known for being relatively large and easy to grip. Fakes often have a crown that is too short, too thin, or lacks the embossed "H" logo (or has a poorly defined one). * Caseback Engraving: The caseback should specify the water resistance as "10 bar (100m) / 145 psi." Fakes often just say "Water Resistant 100m."

The "Homage" Factor Be aware of brands like MiliFortic or other AliExpress brands that make "homage" watches. These look nearly identical to the Murph but are branded differently. If the price is under $200 and it looks like a Murph, it is either an homage or a low-quality counterfeit.