US. Hamilton, the Swatch Group-owned watch brand with a strong aeronautical heritage, has unveiled a number of novelties for 2010 in the run-up to the BaselWorld watch fair, which takes place later this month (18-25 March).
All the new models aim to combine high technology with Swiss precision.
 |
The Hamilton Pulsomatic has been launched to mark the 40th birthday of the world’s first LED digital watch, made by Hamilton |
Hamilton Khaki X-Landing
The Khaki X-Landing is a collection of two limited-edition watches inspired by the first all-metal aircraft of the 1920s.
The models, which feature 24 time zones, are said to provide pilots with a sophisticated GMT chronograph, with design touches reflecting the materials of the early metal planes.
They incorporate a feature known as the ‘top of descent’ (TOD). The TOD marks the transition from the cruise phase of a flight to the descent phase. Pilot wearers simply mark the aircraft’s cruising altitude in feet at the 9 o’clock position, using the crown located at 10 o’clock. Integrating a standard descent angle of 3 degrees, the Khaki X-Landing then reveals the number of nautical miles before the final destination that marks the start of the optimal descent in a small, dedicated window.
Some 24 different time zones are printed on the bezel’s surface. On one model these are represented by place names, on the others by terms from the military or name time zones.
One model has a distinctive dark grey PVD case that complements the black and white colour scheme and contrasts with a red GMT hand. Sections of its dial resemble the corrugated metal panels of the aircraft that took to the skies in the 1920s and 1930s. The integrated black leather strap recalls the traditional sporty perforated gloves.
The other watch, with an impressive round-the-world tour logged around the bezel, has a brushed stainless steel case and choice of metal or integrated brown leather attachment.
Launching in September 2010, some 999 numbered pieces are available for each of the two models. Suggested retail price starts at €1,800.
Hamilton Pulsomatic
The year 2010 marks the 40th birthday of the world’s first LED digital watch, made by Hamilton. The American brand is celebrating the invention of the technology that revolutionised the watch industry with the new Hamilton Pulsomatic, described as a digital timepiece with futuristic design and Swiss craftsmanship.
With the new Pulsomatic, the producer of the world’s first digital watch has made this technology automatic.
The model has a science-fiction look, combined with elegance expressed by smooth shapes and surfaces, according to the brand.
The brushed stainless steel case resembles a Space Age television screen from the front, while a ridged effect on the sides and crown adds a contemporary look. A sleek black screen adds to the hi-tech appearance.
Wearers of the original Hamilton digital watch in the 1970s included the American singer and actor Sammy Davis Junior, the 38th US president Gerald Ford and the Shah of Iran.
The liquid crystal display on the Hamilton Pulsomatic is powered by a Swiss automatic movement, the H1970. Fully charged, the watch has a power reserve lasting 120 days. Water resistance is to a depth of 50 metres. There is a choice of rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet.
Launching in October 2010, the suggested retail price starts at €995.
Hamilton RailRoad
Launching in August 2010, the new Hamilton RailRoad series is said to take the American brand back to its roots, to the end of the 19th Century, when Hamilton earned the title of “˜The Watch of Railroad Accuracy’, by providing railroad staff and passengers across North America with accurate and reliable pocket watches.
Today’s Hamilton RailRoad wristwatches incorporate a small magnifying glass on the crystal at 3 o’clock sharp.
Hamilton RailRoad Midday Train: A classical Hamilton pocket watch is wrapped around the wrist in the Hamilton RailRoad 38mm model. Circling the dial, markings resembling rail tracks or model railways.
Applied metallic indices and a date display at three o’clock are designed to be easy to read. There is a choice of silver, black or white dial, complemented by black or white leather straps with one rivet bearing the engraved text, “˜The Watch of Railroad Accuracy – Lancaster 1892′. Alternatively, a stainless steel bracelet presents an up-to-the-minute interpretation of the chains of its predecessor.
Hamilton RailRoad 9 a.m. Train: In the bold Hamilton RailRoad 44mm model, the pocket watch inspiration expresses itself via a counter disc design. Positioned at nine o’clock, recalling the design of vintage pocket watches, this takes the smooth, round form of the attachment for the pocket watch chain. It also bears an engraved text referring to the brand’s railroad heritage, as well as rail track elements on the dial.
The automatic movement is the new Valgranges A07-511, and Hamilton is claimed to be the first brand to use this innovative Swiss mechanism. Black or white dials couple with a stainless steel or stitched leather strap.
Hamilton RailRoad Midnight Train: With its 46mm case, the Hamilton RailRoad Auto Chrono is a sophisticated chronograph that intensifies the link with the Hamilton railroad heritage through several loops of “˜track’ winding around the middle of the dial to accommodate the tachymeter, as well as two metal-rimmed circular counters.
Four variations combine a stainless steel or black PVD case with a black or silver dial and silver or rose gold appliqués. The Hamilton logo appears on the glass.
Suggested retail price for the 38mm model starts at €595, rising to €945 for the 44mm model, and €1,445 for the Auto Chrono version.
Hamilton Time Player
Hamilton aims to merge nostalgia for its American roots with the latest Swiss technology in the new Time Player watch. Described as “latitude and longitude with attitude”, this hi-tech model is inspired by the geographic co-ordinates system based on lines of latitude and longitude.
The concept unites finger-operated timekeeping in four up-to-the-minute time zones with zany design belonging to the future, the company said.
Hamilton took inspiration from a design the company originally created for a clock in the Stanley Kubrick movie, ‘2001: Space Odyssey’. For centuries, man believed that the earth’s surface was flat. Hamilton playfully revisits this idea with a design that is described as contemporary and inspired by a society constantly on the move.
A totally flat 48mm by 42mm titanium case is split into nine squares, eight filled with movable counters and one left empty like a sliding puzzle. These counters, separated by lines symbolising those of latitude and longitude, enable the wearer to set and measure time in the current location, plus three others.
A Hamilton logo marks the here and now, while the additional three places are identified by colour-coded printed names of the dynamic cities of Dubai, New York and Tokyo. The remaining four counters are all individual watch dials, in colours to match the corresponding location, so that they can dedicate their energy to tracking the passage of time in the defined destination.
To set the time in a desired time zone, the wearer simply moves the corresponding miniature watch to the central square and adjusts via a crown. Once this is done, all of the counters can be moved around again at will.
Two easy-to-grip crowns are positioned on each of the two sides of the case where the attachment joins. The thick black rubber strap also picks up the theme of right angles with corresponding indents.
Launching in June 2010, the watches are limited edition and exclusively available on www.hamilton-lab.com. Suggested retail price is €2,000.
About Hamilton
Hamilton was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US. Hamilton watches are designed to combine the American spirit with the precision of the latest Swiss movements and technologies. Known for its innovative design, Hamilton has a strong foothold in the Hollywood movie world, with products appearing in over 350 films. The brand also boasts a strong aeronautical heritage. Hamilton is a member of the Swatch Group, the largest watch manufacturer and distributor in the world with 160 production sites in Switzerland.
For details, visit www.hamiltonwatch.com / www.facebook.com/hamiltonwatch / www.twitter.com/hamiltonwatch
