Hamilton Debuts Restricted-Version Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III Watch

It’s no straightforward feat to make a really high-quality assertion piece on the inexpensive facet of the watch market. Whereas there isn’t any scarcity of wonderful, well-made, and trendy timepieces obtainable for cheap costs, creating a way of mechanical spectacle on the wrist with out slicing corners usually takes a substantial amount of cash. Hamilton’s not often seen Jazzmaster Face-2-Face stands as a notable exception to this idea, providing the conversation-starting drama of a rotating, double-sided case with a semi-skeleton design for a lot lower than this kind of horological theatricality normally instructions. The brand new restricted version Hamilton Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III is the most recent revival of the road which was first launched in 2013, and for this third technology the marque combines remarkably clear fundamental visible ideas with an impressively eye-catching rotating case system to create a hanging new halo design for the model.

There’s no denying that the rotating chrome steel case of the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III is giant. At 44mm-wide and a hefty 17.25mm-thick, this case design ought to reduce an imposing determine on the wrist, however retains many of the Jazzmaster line’s classical hallmarks intact. Disregarding the scale, this can be a remarkably clear chronograph design at first look, with lengthy flowing lugs and distinctive rounded trapezoidal pushers flanking a slim sloping polished bezel. The Jazzmaster line’s distinctive notched case facet design shines via right here as properly, with the broad tapering polished lug chamfers transitioning abruptly to a flat polished higher case facet floor for a surprisingly angular twist in photographs. In fact, this sense of simplicity might be deceiving, and that’s the place the Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III’s centerpiece is available in. All the cylindrical mid-case swivels alongside the three o’clock to 9 o’clock axis, revealing a second sapphire crystal on the caseback, full with a minimalist chronograph format topping the motion rotor. Though this rotating mid-case design just isn’t strictly new, that is nonetheless a rarity in Hamilton’s market phase, and this comparatively simple conventional chronograph design altering its geometry on a whim is undoubtedly an attention-grabbing flourish. This advanced case development just isn’t with out downsides, nevertheless, because the Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III is rated for a mediocre 50 meters of water resistance.

Because the identify suggests, the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III gives a pair of dials that may be swapped between at any time. For the semi-skeleton major dial, Hamilton retains a lot of the look of different Jazzmaster chronograph fashions intact, however provides a way of visible complexity courtesy of a multi-layered, semi-skeleton design with daring blue accents. The nickel-plated dauphine handset and sharply faceted tapering indices are pure traditional Jazzmaster, lending a extra refined and dressy edge to the three-register chronograph format. Hamilton undercuts this sense of dressiness in photographs with dynamic components such because the radially brushed outer chapter ring, which extends into the middle of the dial at 3 o’clock to type a daring contrasting plaque. For an added sense of drama, the dial is reduce away to disclose the total dial-matching date wheel, whereas every of the three subdials provides its personal nuance to the combo. The 12 o’clock chronograph minutes subdial continues the principle dial’s matte black surfacing, however provides a refined recessed interior space for added mild play. At 9 o’clock, the operating seconds subdial gives three distinct visible layers in photographs, every with contrasting finishes together with matte blasting, radial brushing, and azurage. For the 6 o’clock chronograph hours subdial, Hamilton employs a wealthy cobalt blue sunburst floor in photographs, echoing the blue of the central chronograph seconds hand and shifting the general visible weight of the design in the direction of the decrease half of the dial. Total, though it’s removed from minimal in its presentation, this major dial design is restrained sufficient to belie the avant-garde gimmicks of the Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III, and may make the watch extra appropriate for day by day put on.

In contrast, the reverse facet of the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III gives a extra deconstructed have a look at the chronograph complication. In essentially the most fundamental sense, this can be a skeleton dial, however the performance is restricted to a central chronograph seconds hand and a pair of outer tachymeter and pulsometer rings in silver and blue. Every thing else seen beneath this sapphire crystal is the Valjoux 7750-based H-41 computerized chronograph motion itself, and the model offers this acquainted motion structure some good-looking ending in photographs. The higher bridges, the steadiness cock, and the mainplate are completed with tight, even perlage, whereas the customized cutout rotor provides each linear and sunburst brushing. Though the fundamental platform behind the H-41 might date again to the ‘70s, the H-41 itself is a totally trendy performer, with a sturdy 60 hour energy reserve at a 28,800 bph beat price. Hamilton completes the watch with a deeply patinated mahogany brown leather-based strap that includes dramatic blue distinction stitching.

With a design that mixes traditional Hamilton cues and crowd pleasing rotating performance, together with a sturdy motion and strong construct high quality all through, the restricted version Hamilton Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III gives a powerful degree of horological spectacle for the worth with out sacrificing high quality. Solely 999 examples of the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III will likely be made, and the watch is obtainable now via licensed sellers. Though an MSRP of $2,995 USD (as of press time) locations it close to the highest of Hamilton’s worth hierarchy, that is nonetheless a outstanding bang for the buck on the subject of conversation-piece horology. For extra particulars, please go to the model’s web site.