Before becoming a subsidiary of the Swatch Group, Hamilton was a popular American brand with deep military roots and over 500 appearances on the silver screen. Debuting in the 1932 Hollywood film “Shanghai Express,” Hamilton is often referred to as the “movie brand.” Five models from the Hamilton collection – two Jazzmasters, Pan Europ, and two Venturas – are dressed in elegant black PVD-coated cases with gold accents. Much like the beloved black-gold livery of the John Player Special used by F1 Lotus racers in the 1970s, the combination of black and gold is sophisticated, elegant, and fashionable.
JAZZMASTER AUTO CHRONO
In honor of the brand's connection with cinema and the talents behind the scenes (screenwriters, set decorators, sound engineers, etc.), Hamilton established the Behind the Camera Awards and introduced the Jazzmaster Regulator Cinema model in 2019, dedicated to film.
One of the brand's most classic models, the latest Jazzmaster Auto Chrono is housed in an elegant black PVD steel case with a water resistance of 100 meters. With a diameter of 42mm and a height of 15.23mm, the black case tones down the size, while the thick black leather strap expands to protect the pushers. The bezel is polished, the lugs are matte, and the ergonomic teardrop chronograph pushers alternate both finishes.
Arranged vertically, the three sub-dials – a 30-minute counter at noon, a small seconds at 9 o'clock, and a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock – feature a snail-like internal surface, gold frames, and gold markings. According to the brand, the hour, minute, second, and counter hands are made of yellow gold, all except the second hand are treated with a luminescent strip. The peripheral track, dial inscriptions, and numerals in the date window are also in gold.
The Jazzmaster Auto Chrono is equipped with the H-21, a reliable automatic chronograph movement based on the ETA 7750, with a frequency of 28,800 vph and a 60-hour power reserve.
Key specifications: diameter 42mm x height 15.23mm – stainless steel with black PVD coating – water resistance 100m – black dial with gold details, sapphire crystal with AR coating – automatic H-21 movement, 28,800 vph, 60-hour power reserve – matte black leather strap – ref. H24431170 – CHF 1,825 / EUR 1,995 / USD 1,845
JAZZMASTER AUTO
The second model to undergo a black-gold makeover is the compact 36mm Jazzmaster Auto in a steel case with black PVD coating, presented on a matte black NATO-style leather strap. Designed solely for direct time measurement, it has a case height of 10mm and water resistance of 50m. The case with matte and polished surfaces has a slightly elliptical shape, undoubtedly to balance the large crown on the right.
On the minimalist black dial with thin vertical lines are the hour, minute (with luminescence), and central second hands in yellow gold, as well as the Hamilton logo and inscriptions. The indices are applied to the peripheral minute track and recess into the dial but do not have luminescent coating.
The Jazzmaster Auto is equipped with the automatic H-10 movement (base ETA C07.611). The power reserve is 80 hours, the movement operates at a slower frequency of 21,600 vph and is fitted with a Nivachron hairspring.
Key specifications: diameter 36mm x height 10mm – stainless steel with black PVD coating – water resistance 50m – black dial with gold details, sapphire crystal with AR coating – automatic H-10 movement, 21,600 vph, Nivachron hairspring, 80-hour power reserve – matte black NATO-style leather strap – ref. H32255730 – CHF 875 / EUR 975 / USD 895
AMERICAN CLASSIC PAN EUROP
Introduced in 1971, the Pan Europ model from Hamilton was one of the first automatic chronographs and, like many watches of that era, featured a cushion-shaped case. In 2014, the Pan Europ was reintroduced in a non-chronograph format, and for this capsule collection, it has been released in a black-gold livery. Measuring 42mm in diameter and 11.55mm in height, it retains the same vintage cushion-shaped case from the 1970s. The steel case with black PVD coating has both polished and matte surfaces. Although not a chronograph, the Pan Europ watch with time, day, and date is equipped with a rotating bezel with knurling in black PVD coating with gray markings and a 15-minute dive scale, which is not particularly relevant given the 50-meter water resistance of the watch.
On the inclined flange with gold rivets are rectangular indices and a minute track, while the indices, hour, and minute hands are treated with luminescent material. The central part of the dial is black with gold inscriptions, and the rectangular date and day window at the “3 o'clock” position has a black background and gold markings. The central second hand is gold-plated.
Inside the Pan Europ is another automatic Hamilton caliber – H-30, based on ETA C07.621. It operates at a frequency of 21,600 vph and is equipped with a Nivachron balance spring, providing an 80-hour power reserve for hours, minutes, seconds, date, and day. Unlike other models in the capsule collection, the American Classic Pan Europ comes with two straps: a black leather strap with gold rivets and a two-tone black-gold NATO textile strap.
Key facts: diameter 42mm x height 11.55mm – stainless steel with black PVD coating – water resistance 50m – black dial with gold details, sapphire crystal with AR coating – automatic H-30 movement, 21,600 vph, Nivachron balance spring, 80-hour power reserve – black leather strap with gold rivets and additional two-tone NATO textile strap – ref. H35425730 – CHF 1,175 / EUR 1,245 / USD 1,295
QUARTZ CHRONOGRAPH VENTURA CHRONO
One of Hamilton's star collections, and possibly the world's most unusual watch shape, is the Ventura. First released in 1957 as the world's first battery-powered watch, Ventura was immortalized by Elvis Presley in the film “Blue Hawaii.”
The Ventura model with a quartz chronograph returns in a black-gold case measuring 32.3mm x 50.3mm in stainless steel with black PVD coating. The black coating somewhat softens the distinctive shield-shaped case contours, but the watch is instantly recognizable as Elvis's watch.
Three gold sub-dials have black markings, and the minute track, also gold, is adapted to the unusual morphology of the case with hour markers of varying lengths, accented by gold spheres (two at noon). There is even a date window squeezed into the “4 o'clock” marker with a black background and gold-plated numerals. This model lacks luminescence, and the hour and minute hands in sword shape, the arrow-tipped second hand, and the three sub-dial hands are made of yellow gold. The Ventura Quartz Chrono comes with a black leather strap and a folding clasp with black PVD coating.
Key specifications: diameter 32.3mm x length 50.3mm x height 10.87mm – stainless steel with black PVD coating – water resistance 50m – black dial with gold details, sapphire crystal – quartz chronograph movement – black leather strap – ref. H24402730 – CHF 1,025 / EUR 1,095 / USD 1,045
VENTURA S QUARTZ
A smaller version of the iconic Ventura model with black PVD coating and gold accents measures 24mm in diameter and 37.4mm in length. Like the Ventura Chrono, the watch is equipped with a quartz movement. On the black dial are 12 gold hour markers, represented by lines of varying lengths topped with a gold sphere, with double spheres at noon. A zigzag line – an electric pulse – crosses the dial from 9 to 3 o'clock.
Key specifications: diameter 24mm x length 37.4mm x height 7.82mm – stainless steel with black PVD coating – water resistance 50m – black dial with gold details, mineral glass – quartz movement – black leather strap – ref. H24201730 – CHF 895 / EUR 975 / USD 895
For more information, visit hamiltonwatch.com.
