Apr 14, 2009
Reading time 3 min.
Hamilton for 2009: BASE Jumping, Diving, and More
Some say the trend toward ever-larger watches is slowing, but you would not know it to look at Hamilton’s new 50mm Khaki BASE Jump watches. That’s BASE as in parachuting off of Buildings, Antennas, Spans and Earth. Available in automatic and chronograph versions, we will focus on the latter as it presents an interesting twist (pun intended): the timing functions are activated by turning the bezel, not by pushing buttons. Twist the bezel counter-clockwise to start and stop, then clockwise to reset.
The BASE Jump is powered by a modified version of ETA’s 7750 movement, and we’re told that the movement is exclusive to Hamilton. The BASE Jump sports a sapphire crystal and 100 meter water resistance. The chronograph is available in titanium or black or bronze PVD with a black or bronze dial on a black rubber or brown leather strap. All models are priced at $1945. The ETA 2824-powered automatic version is available in stainless steel and black or bronze PVD and it’s priced at $1195.
Heading for the water, Hamilton’s Seaview AutoChrono joins the Seaview GMT and Seaview Automatic as the first models in a new family of timepieces. The 44mm AutoChrono’s dial features Côtes de Genève and perlage finishes. Inside there’s an ETA automatic 7753 movment. The turning bezel has embossed digits with compass-like arrow pointers at 15 minute intervals. Available in stainless steel or pink gold-plated versions with black dial on a black rubber strap ($995, pictured below) or a stainless steel bracelet ($1045).
After a day of BASE jumping and diving, Hamilton has you covered should you require something slimmer and more elegant for the evening: the Jazzmaster Slim and MoonPhase. The Slim is a classic dress watch with hours, minutes, and the date at 6, available in 40 and 43mm stainless steel or pink gold-plated cases that are 8.3mm thick. Below the black or silver dial you’ll find an ETA 2892 automatic movement. The crystal is sapphire, and 50 meter water resistance means it’s safe to take them near the water. The Jazzmaster Slim is available now, priced at $745 for the stainless steel version and $795 in pink gold plate.
For something a bit more complicated, Hamilton offers the Jazzmaster MoonPhase, which also tells you the day, date, month, and the time in a second time zone. It's also a chronograph. The 44mm stainless steel case houses an ETA automatic caliber 7751 movement. The MoonPhase is available with silver or black dials on a black leather strap and it’s priced at $2445. Look for it in stores in October.
