Editor’s Note: Need a quick watch fix? This preview of the new Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart is a GET TO THE POINT (GTTP) review with all the info you want / need to know QUICK. For our actual hands-on reviews, please head to the dedicated section here. Now let’s get to the point.
What Is It
After Longines went the fume dial route recently with its LLD collection (review here), it’s time for another Swatch Group brand to follow suit. Presenting the 40mm diameter and 11.05mm thick three — silver white, midnight blue, deep green — new variants of the Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart Automatic.
Walk into a room and the gradient effect, the finish quality, and the open heart execution of dial ensure that this rather different dress watch is always the center of attention.
Why & When
Fumé is on trend, and so is the colour green. Combining the two is the new Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart Automatic ref. H32675560.
Retailing for 995 USD or ~1’375 AUD, it was first announced in February 2022 alongside the new Hamilton PSR Black.
Who Is The Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart For
For those looking for a good entry-level Swiss mechanical timepiece, who wish to be on trend with the fumé mania and also appreciate the difference between quartz and mechanical watches (and wish to see the latter’s heart beat). Owning the finer things in life doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank.
How Does The Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart Do
I have said twice that this is an entry-level timepiece. But don’t let its price tag fool you. Firing on all cylinders, the new Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart is second to none.
Besides the aesthetics, which let’s be honest will be subject to personal likes and dislikes, the use of a solid movement is a key feature with the series.
The Jazzmaster is powered by the H-10 Automatic movement which is based on the ETA caliber C07.611 which in turn is based on the tried and tested ETA 2824-2. This movement is pretty much slowly becoming the bread-n-butter for many of Swatch’s entry level Swiss (luxury) timepieces, with some variant used in a number of Tissot, Hamilton and Certina watches.
The 25.6mm diameter H-10 Automatic movement comprises 25 jewels, beats at the lower frequency of 3Hz, and punches well above its price point.
It makes use of a Nivachron™ balance spring and provides an exceptional 80-hour power reserve.
Besides the engine, the overall visuals are pretty impressive and rather distinct too. Hamilton manages to make this without the dial cut-outs looking cheap or tacky, and that’s a big plus here.
The minimal text on the dial, along with the intricate pattern of dial openings ensures that legibility is not sacrificed, a crucial aspect that the shiny nickeled or blued hour and minute hands in-filled with Super-LumiNova® also assist with.
With a 40mm x 11.05mm stainless steel case with a lug-to-lug spacing of about 48mm, these should fit a large variety of wrist sizes. And the lug interhorn spacing of 20mm ensures that aftermarket strap swap will be a breeze.
Hamilton also cashes in on their ability to release watches that cater to a number of tastes. The brand knows how to introduce ‘cool’ timepieces, those that speak to the generation of the time. Whether being the Elvis Presley loved Ventura models of yore or the contemporary retro-sexy Hamilton PSRs, there is always something for everyone.
One of my favorite aspects of this release is the combination of a gradient fume dial with a dark brown leather strap with smoked patina. Together, they create magic.
To find out more about the new Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart and other Hamilton watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are courtesy are Copyright © 2022 Hamilton International Ltd. All rights reserved.
