Back in 2013 at Baselworld, Hamilton revealed a unique double-faced wristwatch named the Face 2 Face. The huge oval-shaped case was reversible, boasting two different watch faces and two separate automatic ETA movements. The second edition offered an equally imposing oval watch head with two faces, one with time and chronograph and the other exposing the movement with a pulsometer, tachymeter and telemeter scale. Next up is the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face III watch, another theatrical piece of horology with a rotating, double sided case but one that is no longer oval, but perfectly round.
The Case
For a watch that is an engineering wonder, the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face III Limited Edition is arguably the most classic out of all three of the models launched as part of the collection so far. No longer boasting its large oval-shaped case, the watch is perfectly round with a hefty diameter of 44mm and a thickness of 17.25mm. It’s imposing on the wrist, certainly, but compared to the 53mm size of the oval editions, it is significantly easier to wear. The stainless steel case maintains all the hallmarks of the Swiss watchmaker’s Jazzmaster family with long flowing lugs, trapezoidal pushers and a narrow polished bezel. There’s also sapphire crystal glass and a water resistant rating of 50 metres. While the case of the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face III watch may look ordinary at first, it deceivingly hides a unique rotating element. This means the cylindrical mid-case can turn entirely upside down on itself, hiding the chronograph dial and revealing the intricate Swiss made movement and scale decoration beneath.
The Dials
With the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face III Limited Edition, there’s not just one dial to enjoy but two. The primary dial is the one that looks most “traditional”, keeping the visuals of other Jazzmaster Chronograph watches with a multi-layered, semi-skeleton finish. This dial is largely adorned in a dark anthracite colour with nickel plated hour and minute hands placed centre stage, matching applied indexes and a blue chronograph seconds hand. At 3 o’clock, there’s the day and date windows which the rest of the date disc exposed around the circumference and at 6 o ‘clock a blue subsidiary dials records 12-hour elapsed times. The counter at 9 o’clock complete with snailed decoration is for the running seconds and the small dial at noon indicates the chronograph’s 30 minute counter. The primary dial of the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face III watch is then completed by Superluminova inserts on the hour, minute and small second hands.
Contrasting rather significantly to the mass of functionality found on the first side of the dial, the reverse of the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face III Limited Edition is ultimately a skeleton dial with a central chronograph seconds hand. The movement put on display here is the H-41 automatic winding calibre which is treated to some basic decoration including upper bridges, the balance cock, and the mainplate dressed in perlage. The oscillating rotor is also openwork and finished with sunburst brushing. This dial also presents a pair of outer tachymeter and pulsometer rings in silver and blue.
The Movement & Strap
As aforementioned, the movement responsible for powering the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III watch is used to create one of the centrepiece dials. It is the Valjoux 7750-based H-41 automatic chronograph movement with a robust 60 hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800bph. Completing the limited edition is patinated mahogany brown leather strap joined by contrasting blue stitching and a stainless folding buckle.
Price & Availability
Hamilton really have mastered the art of affordable luxury watches, and the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III watch is no different with the spectacle retailing at only £2,595. As a limited edition of only 999 pieces, we don’t expect this model to be around for long. If you’d like to learn more about the watch and secure one of the limited edition pieces for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
