Hamilton, a replica watches manufacturer born in Pennsylvania, USA, held a preview event to introduce this year’s novelties at the Chosun Palace Gangnam in Seoul on March 28th. New products that brightened up the event were distributed evenly across major collections, from Jazzmasters, who play a major role in Korea, to the Khaki Brothers (Khaki Field, Khaki Aviation, Khaki Navy), and American Classics. Let’s take a quick look at some of the key new products along with a sketch of the venue.
Originally, it was a model that was enthusiastically supported by domestic fans, but this year’s new product may enjoy even greater popularity than that. The green color dial, which is at the forefront of the trend these days, meets the 40mm diameter size that domestic fans will welcome with open arms. Another option is the unfavorable silver-white, now popular blue dial version. The green and blue dials also add a gradation effect that gets darker towards the outside, showing off a more subtle charm. The dial configuration continues the same concept as the previous 42mm version. The dial cut-out according to the popular ‘open heart’ design reveals the main parts of the movement, such as the balance and part of the gear train, adding to the fun of appreciation. If there is anything different from before other than color, it can be indexed. The 3, 6, 9 and 12 indices with large Arabic numerals have been replaced with the same arrowheads as the other hour indices. Thanks to this, I feel more unified.
The movement mounted in a steel case (water resistant to 50 m) is an automatic caliber H-10 (frequency 21,600 vph, power reserve of 80 hours). It is the same as before, but one key part has been changed. Instead of the nivarox balance spring, the Nivachron™ balance spring, developed jointly by the Swatch Group and Audemars Piguet, is fitted. Nivacron™ made of titanium alloy is said to have excellent anti-magnetic properties as well as resistance to temperature changes and impacts.
The Jazzmaster Open Heart Auto will remain 42mm and 40mm two-track going forward. The newly joined 40mm line is also said to be introduced at the same time as a leather strap version in addition to the five-stranded metal bracelet. The prices are 1.48 million won and 1.38 million won, respectively.
Hamilton’s Ardmore was introduced in 1937. It means that I have been leading the brand long before Hamilton’s representative collections such as the Jazzmaster and Khaki collections. Of course, now he has given way to his juniors and he has taken a step back. New news was also quiet. The moment his presence faded, he returned to his new form. The rectangular design from the past Art Deco movement has been inherited, and various colors that fit the current trend have been introduced. Fresh colors suitable for women, such as turquoise, coral, purple, and orange, permeated Ardmore’s unique index. The cowhide strap has also been updated in the same color. A double tour strap is also available in turquoise and beige colors. The 18.7×27mm steel case is equipped with a quartz movement. All models are water resistant to 30m. The price of the product is 620,000 won for the single leather strap model and 720,000 won for the double tour strap version.
The Intra-Matic Auto Chrono, which has been consistently loved by enthusiasts, has been reinvented with the help of world-famous clothing designer Janie Bryant. Jenny Bryant rose to fame by wearing costumes for characters in ‘Mad Men’, ‘Deadwood’, ‘Why Women Kill’ and her films. She also won the Costume Design category at the Hamilton Behind the Camera Awards (BTCA), which Hamilton regularly hosts. Based on her relationship at that time, Hamilton launched a capsule collection that crosses the present and the future with Jenny Bryant.
Adorned in beige gold (PVD coated) and pink, the Intra-matic Auto Chrono is ‘now’. For your reference, there is also a ‘future’ version that uses the same model as a base and dyes the case and strap in yellow gold. Each product has a different color palette, but the design and specifications are the same as the previous model. Equipped with an upgraded automatic chronograph H-31 (frequency 28,800 vph, power reserve of 60 hours) based on the Valjoux 7753 in a 40 mm diameter case. The waterproof specification is 100m. The price of each product is 318 million won.