So for some time, I wore the Casio Triple Sensor watch sporting a built-in electronic compass, thermometer, and altimeter/barometer.

All of its functions worked very well, but the thing was large and thick, and it looked like one of the spaceships in the Alien films. In other words, like a Hummer, its profile was hardly what you would call subtle.

Thats why I am so taken with the Hamilton Khaki Field Multi-Touch watch. Because here are the same useful functions the Casio offered, but wrapped in a handsome modern design that looks good in any executive suite, bearing a white-against-black-and-gray analog face supplemented by a digital display.

I had considered the Swiss Army StarTech 3000 watch, but it turned out to be an extremely large and heavy watch best suited for outdoor use. I also heard that that monster burned through batteries in six months, and indeed the fact that the hands werent turning on the one I received in the mail didnt bode well; I sent it back.

As I have just received the Hamilton Multi-Touch, I cant attest to its battery life; I know the Casio never had any problems, but it did have more than one battery.

A gadget freak has to like the touch-sensitive crystal on the Hamilton, which further helps simplify the user interface while minimizing buttons needed on the watch. Just press the H button, then touch the icon on the watch face representing the desired function.

These little red icons are quite intuitive. The thermometer "appears as itself", a mountain is the altimeter, the sun and storm cloud represent the barometer, a runner is the chronometer, a bell the alarm, and a finger pointing, the compass.

Whats also neat is that the analog minute and hour hands assist with many of the functions. In compass mode, for example, the minute hand points North, while the hour hand points South, the two hands working as one traditional compass needle.

One thing that was missing on the StarTech was barometric trend. Im happy to say that the Hamilton Multi-Touch has it, displayed by the analog hands, which point to the sun at the top of the face when the trend is rising and to the storm cloud when its falling. I assume that the barometer must make a measurement automatically every few hours to accomplish this; the instruction manual takes pride in the fact that this trend-meter compensates for rapid fluctuations to improve the accuracy of the forecast.

Somehow all this technology is wrapped up in a sleek and rugged water-resistant package that doesnt call attention to itself. This is truly a stealth watch for the gadget-happy. Most people will think youre wearing merely an attractive analog chronometer, but youll have the satisfaction of knowing that youre also packing a stopwatch, alarm clock - and weather station with directional bearings!

In fact, about the only thing I can think to knock about the Multi-Touch is that it lacks luminous hands or a night light. Swatch Group sister company Tissot appears to offer a watch with the same functions and luminous hands, but I prefer the styling of the Hamilton.

Then theres the instruction manual. Though its written in several languages, it reads more like hieroglyphics, with charts and icons that will have you scratching your head as you fumble your way through the operating procedures. Fortunately, the watch functions are so intuitive, the instruction manual shouldnt throw you, although you may want to throw it.