Hamilton Introduces The Jazzmaster Performer Automatic Chronographs (Live Photos)
Hamilton has just unveiled a new line in its popular Jazzmaster collection. Meet the Jazzmaster Performer range. This family of sport-chic steel watches includes four 42mm chronographs alongside three 38mm and four 34mm three-hand automatics. The chronographs immediately caught our eye with their Daytona-esque aesthetic, so we got hold of the black- and white-dial versions to take a closer look.
The Jazzmaster
The Jazzmaster has long been a staple collection in the Hamilton lineup to serve the market taste with a broad appeal. With over 200 everyday timepieces in its compilation, the Jazzmaster is all things to all people. From basic quartz models to the “flippable” Face 2 Face models, it caters to both men and women of all styles and sizes.
Jazz in spirit
The Swiss watchmaker says the Jazzmaster name nods to where it all began for the brand. Before relocating to Biel, Switzerland in 2003, Hamilton had its roots in America, which dated all the way back to 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. That was around the time that jazz was born in the country out of many musical styles, incorporating different influences to develop into a unique genre.
The hero watches
As the hero of the new Jazzmaster Performer series, the automatic chronograph is a true representation of Hamilton’s American spirit. The bold, assertive presence does not go unnoticed with the 42mm stainless steel case in a predominantly brushed finish.
The case measures 22mm between the lugs and 15.22mm thick, but it tapers down the lugs in a slimming, luscious contour. Complementing that are the elegant chronograph pushers, which also mimic crown protectors. The signed crown between them is of the screw-down variety, helping give the Jazzmaster Performer a 100m water resistance rating.
A classic and classy style
The sporty chronograph dial has three snailed and ringed counters and a matching minute track on the outer rim. A running small seconds sub-dial sits at 9 o’clock, a 12-hour totalizer at 6 o’clock, and a 30-minute totalizer at 3 o’clock. The date window sits between 4 and 5 o’clock but blends harmoniously in the same color as the dial. The time display consists of silver or rose-tone applied indexes and hands, both featuring Super-LumiNova. Legibility is superb, and the whole face feels wonderfully clean and pleasing. Topping it off is a sapphire crystal with a double antireflective coating.
The H-31 engine
Visible through the exhibition case back is the H-31 automatic chronograph movement. It contains a balance spring made from an antimagnetic alloy, Nivachron, developed by the Swatch Group. Apart from the chronograph and date functions, the H-31 features 27 jewels, hacking seconds, and hand winding. It runs at a frequency of 28,800vph (4Hz) and provides a power reserve of 60 hours.
As mentioned, the Jazzmaster Performer Automatic Chronograph is available in four executions. A blue-dial version with a steel bezel (not pictured) accompanies the black-dial variant with a black PVD-treated bezel. Both are available on a perforated leather strap for €2,395. Alternatively, the black version is available on a mostly brushed three-row steel bracelet for €2,475. Finally, the white-dial variant with its rose-tone PVD case is available on a perforated leather strap for €2,545.
The rest of the new series
In addition to the 42mm chronographs, Hamilton is also adding the 38mm and 34mm three-hand models to the new Jazzmaster Performer series for a total of 11 variants. The 38mm and 34mm Jazzmaster Performer versions offer more minimalist dial options for men and women. But they all retain the sport-chic style as their big brothers with a fixed bezel, refined detailing, and luminous hands.
In the set of three 38mm models, the stainless steel watches come with a choice of blue, black or white dials. Like its chronograph counterpart, the white-dial version’s steel case is finished with a rose gold PVD coating. In the set of four 34mm models, the dials come in black, blue, a bright blue sunray finish, and gorgeous mother-of-pearl. All of these time-only watches are powered by the H-10 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve. Prices range from €1,125 to €1,270.
For more information on the full launch, visit Hamilton’s official website.
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