The Hamilton highlights of 2023: cinema cameos, exploration and skeletonisation
Borna BošnjakHamilton is one of those cult classic brands that only need a strong release or two each year to keep the hype going. They undoubtedly realised this in 2022 with the new Murph 38mm, showing that they’re in touch with their fanbase. In 2023, the two stand-out releases were also under the ever-popular Khaki Field range, adding the option of a compass bezel or titanium bracelet to the collection. Hamilton also showed the Jazzmaster collection some love, updating the Skeleton with a dial that integrates the visible movement even better as well as introducing the sporty new Performer line.
Finally, it wouldn’t be a Hamilton round-up without a movie watch, and 2023 was no different. Gracing the silver screen in at least two blockbusters – including vintage examples on the wrist of Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer – though the most notable feature was the American Classic Boulton accompanying Harrison Ford in the last-ever Indiana Jones movie. What’s even better is that you can pick up all of these from the Time+Tide Shop.
Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition
The headlining release for Hamilton in 2023 was the new Khaki Field Expedition. It has all the hallmarks of Hamilton field watches that cemented them as the brand to beat when it comes to that particular style. Made to be even more helpful on adventures, the Expedition features a bidirectional compass bezel, making navigation with the help of the sun that much easier. Cased in 37 or 41mm, the array of colours and strap options make this an easy shoo-in for this selection.
| Brand | Hamilton |
| Model | Khaki Field Expedition |
| Reference Number | H70315830 H70315130 H70315510 H70315540 |
| Case Dimensions | 37mm (D) x 11.5mm (T) 41mm (D) x 11.5mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial(s) | Black, white, blue |
| Strap | Green or brown leather strap with pin buckle Stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp |
| Movement | H-10, ETA C07 base, automatic, Nivachron balance spring |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, compass bezel |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | A$1,675 (leather strap) A$1,825 (bracelet) |
Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium
One “easy” way to make the Khaki Field an even more compelling choice is to make it out of a more lightweight, sporty material. So that’s exactly what Hamilton did when introducing it in titanium for the first time in 2022, with one glaring omission – a titanium bracelet. Thankfully, that was rectified this year, with a muted grey and all-black duo. With 38mm and 42mm-sized cases measuring less than 12mm thick, the dials are given a subtle two-tone finish, separating them from the rest of the collection visually.
| Brand | Hamilton |
| Model | Khaki Field Titanium |
| Reference Number | H70205140 H70215130 H70545140 H70665130 |
| Case Dimensions | 38mm (D) x 11.68mm (T) 42mm (D) x 11.45mm (T) |
| Case Material | Titanium |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Black or blue with azurage hour ring |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Three-link titanium bracelet with folding clasp |
| Movement | Hamilton H-10, ETA C07.611 base |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | Starting from A$1,675 |
Hamilton Jazzmaster Skeleton
This one could be a little surprising for some, but Time+Tide customers are actually responsible here. Skeletonised watches were always popular with a select few, but the new Jazzmaster Skeleton attracted a large crowd, becoming one of our best-selling watches of 2023. Whether it’s a choice of two sizes or better integration of the openworked H-10-S movement with the dial, who knows, but the recipe is certainly a success.
| Brand | Hamilton |
| Model | Jazzmaster Skeleton |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 11mm (T) 36mm (D) x 10.55mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Silver, blue, plum, pale rose |
| Strap | Leather strap or steel bracelet |
| Movement | H-10-S, skeletonised Powermatic 80 base, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$1,925 (36mm with strap) A$2,075 (36mm with bracelet) A$2,075 (40mm with strap) A$2,200 (40mm with bracelet) |
Hamilton American Classic Boulton Quartz
A small, rectangular Hamilton on the wrist of Indiana Jones in 1969 hardly seems out of place, and the same goes for the famed professor of archaeology once again fighting some Nazis. What is a little strange is that the model he wears happens to be a quartz watch. A reminder: the Seiko Astron, widely accepted to be the world’s first quartz watch, came out in 1971. Nevertheless, the Boulton’s gold-tone case and diminutive proportions didn’t detract much from the on-screen action, so we can scratch it up to being another forgotten relic from one of Indy’s time-travelling adventures (spoilers, maybe?)
| Brand | Hamilton |
| Model | American Classic Boulton Quartz |
| Case Dimensions | 27mm (W) x 31.6mm (L) x 7.6mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel, PVD yellow gold |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Mineral |
| Dial | White, PVD yellow gold Arabic numerals |
| Lug Width | 18mm |
| Strap | Calf leather |
| Movement | ETA 980.163, quartz |
| Power Reserve | Three-year battery life |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | A$1,200 |
Hamilton Jazzmaster Performer
The Jazzmaster was always a versatile collection, including everything from dainty dress watches to the huge Face 2 Face chronograph. The new Jazzmaster Performer collection finds itself right in the middle of those two, offering both sporty, yet elegant three-handers, as well as larger automatic chronographs with a Valjoux 7750-based movement like this one. The steel-bezelled look is definitely in at the moment, Hamilton yet again offering an affordable alternative to the watchiverse’s ongoing trends.
| Brand | Hamilton |
| Model | Jazzmaster Performer Automatic Chronograph 42mm |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 15.22mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel, rose gold PVD stainless steel (white dial) |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Blue sunray, black sunray, white |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Bracelet/Strap | Stainless 3-link, blue leather, black leather |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Movement | H-31 automatic chronograph |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, chrono, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$2,195 (Black or blue/strap), US$2,245 (Black/bracelet), US$2295 (Rose gold/strap) |