The Jazzmaster Face 2 Face is a unique series by Hamilton. First launched in 2013, the series have gotten a reputation that has split the watch community. Although having two faces is deemed positive, the case design has the complete opposite effect to watch aficionados.
Already in the collection is the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face II. When Hamilton came out with the version 3, I was delighted as the design was more in-lined with what I felt needed to be changed in version 2. Having a horizontal oval shaped watch casing on the version 2 alienated a vast majority of watch enthusiasts. The revised version 3 corrected that problem as a round casing is more acceptable to most fans.
In early 2023, Hamilton launched the version 3 in the form of the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face III Limited Edition. Only 999 units were made available and I had to wait for sometime before an allocation was allotted to Malaysia. I made my order and waited for about a month before a call came in to collect the watch. What was told to me by the dealer that only three units were allocated to Malaysia. I am so happy that I got one of them.
The Series
The Face-2-Face III continues Hamilton's design creativity to the brand's most complicated watch series. When Hamilton released Face 2 Face I in 2013, the brand introduction of a double-sided dial, essentially giving two distinct personalities in a single timepiece was ballsy. When looking at competing designs in the market, the first thing that comes to mind is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. Was Hamilton trying to compete with JLC?!? Actually no. Hamilton just wanted to showcase its design skills.
| Model | Face 2 Face (2013) | Face 2 Face II (2016) | Face 2 Face III (2023) |
| Case Shape | Oblong | Oblong | Round |
| Movement | Two movements: 1. ETA2094 (chrono) 2. ETA2671 (time) | One movement: 1. H-41 | One movement: 1. H-41 |
| Display | Face 1: Chrono, date & time Face 2: Second time zone | Face 1: Chrono, time, date & day Face 2: Pulsometer, techymeter & telemeter | Face 1: Chrono, time, date & day Face 2: Pulsometer & techymeter |
| MSRP | USD6,195 | USD3,995 | USD2,995 |
| Units | LE of 888 units | LE of 1,999 units | LE of 999 units |
Above is the a comparative table between the three versions of the Face 2 Face by Hamilton.
The first edition offers a wristwatch with a flipping case which has become the signature of this series. The second edition, which is in the collection has discarded the two-movement layout of the first version hence helping Hamilton to price it at a more reasonable level. Nevertheless, both editions share the same controversial case design which only appeals to small minority of collectors.
After getting feedback from the market, Hamilton introduced the third edition which is more contemporary. It comes with a round case for the first time. Note the reduction in MSRP price throughout the series. It would appear that Hamilton must have realized that premium pricing must not be too high to ensure sales.
The Wearing Experience
The first edition offers a wristwatch with a flipping case which has become the signature of this series. The second edition, which is in the collection has discarded the two-movement layout of the first version hence helping Hamilton to price it at a more reasonable level. Nevertheless, both editions share the same controversial case design which only appeals to small minority of collectors.
After getting feedback from the market, Hamilton introduced the third edition which is more contemporary. It comes with a round case for the first time. Note the reduction in MSRP price throughout the series. It would appear that Hamilton must have realized that premium pricing must not be too high to ensure sales.
The Watch
The watch is made from stainless steel and is perfectly round, unlike its predecessors. With a width of 44.00 mm and a
thickness of 17.25 mm, it is still a hefty watch. The watch has all the hallmarks of
Hamiltons' Jazzmaster line with long flowing lugs,
trapezoidal pushers and a narrow polished bezel.
The watch has two dials. The primary dial is the time-telling face comprising the time as well as the chronograph, date and day functions. With a partial skeleton design, one can fully see the date ring. While time is
measured on the outer ring, the two chronograph sub-counters (12:00 and 6:00) keep track
of elapsed minutes and hours. The blue painted seconds hand at the top of the primary timing stem tracks the chronograph seconds. The sub-counter at 9:00 is for the normal seconds. These overlapping sub-counters are
placed on the top of the exposed date wheel, forming a three-dimensional
structure. To enhanced the three dimensional effect, the chronograph hour sub-counter is painted blue to contrast with the main dial
elements.
On closer inspection, the dial surface has three distinct elements. The first is the primary dial surface. This is painted black. The second is the large aperture cut through the dial surface for the date wheel to be seen. The third is where the minutes and sub-seconds scales are placed. There is a silver coloured disc of about 2.00 mm wide that is placed on top of the dial surface. This disc extends out at 3:00 and ends at the sides of the three sub-counters. On this extension, the brand is printed in black while the logo is applied brand, golden in colour. There are two square apertures cut into the extension to allow one to see the date and day complications. The applied kite shaped hour markers have a straight band of luminous paint and are half suspended beyond the silver coloured disc. Only the 6:00, 9:00 and 12:00 hour markers are truncated.
The sub-counter at 6:00 appears to be separate surface while the sub-counters at 9:00 and 12:00 are part of the same surface as the primary dial. Nevertheless, Hamilton was able to create an illusion of differentiation for the latter two sub-counters by placing a cut-out piece over the 9:00 sub-counter and a dimple at the center of the 12:00 sub-counter. Quite ingenious.
The primary hours and minutes as well as the chronograph hours and minutes are polished and painted partially with luminous paint. There is no luminous paint on the small seconds hand.
There is a text "AUTOMATIC" painted in white on the 6:00 sub-counter and the famous "SWISS MADE" painted in black at the bottom edge of the dial. All the timing scales on the sub-counters are painted with white lines and numbers in varying degree of font sizes.
If that primary dial is not to your liking, you can always switch to the secondary dial which is the magic that defines the Face 2 Face series. Above is a photo of the watch in transition. By pushing either the top or bottom part of the watch (the watch pivots along the horizontal at the crown), one can turn the watch casing over. In the photo above, you can also see the spring-loaded ball-bearings that keeps the watch casing in place once the necessary choice of which dial to be presented has been made.
The features of the secondary dial is more utilitarian and mundane compared the primary dial. There are only two distinct timing scale provided, a Tachymeter and a Pulsemeter. The Tachymeter scale is painted in black over a silver background and placed at the edge of the dial while the Pulsemeter is next to it but painted in white over a blue background. The same blue painted seconds hand found on the primary dial is also found here. Apart of those elements mentioned, the rest of the 'dial' is just the view of the movement. Do note the seconds hand will move counter-clockwise.
A twin set of dome sapphire crystals protect both dials. Both crystals are provided for AR protection.
Through the secondary dial one can see the H-41 movement. This movement is a heavily modified Valjoux
7750 made exclusively for Hamilton by ETA. It has a power reserve of 60 hours and operates at 28,800 BPH (4 Hertz) and utilises 25 jewels.
It has manual winding capability as well as seconds hand
stop mechanism (hacking).
There is no elaborate finishing on the movement, just simple
finishing.
In the photo above you can see the huge pushers and signed crown on the right side of the frame. The large squarish pushers with
protective sheath up to halfway up the pushers are spring
tensioned and not connected permanently with the watch casing. Each time
a pusher is pushed, a connecting rod will be extended beyond the frame
and pushes on the corresponding tab on the watch casing. This system allows the watch casing to turn freely 360-degrees along the
crown stem axis.
On the opposite of the crown, you can see the corresponding screw that
locks the rotating axis of the watch casing along the crown stem (see the photo below).
The two photos above shows why the watch is very tall. Instead of having just one fixed bezel compared to a contemporary watch design, the Face 2 Face has two!
The lugs extends the length of the watch to approximately 51.0 mm (lug-to-lug). Definitely a large watch. The lugs do not have pass-through lug holes. This is a pity as it will facilitate strap changes. Trying to access the spring-bars from the back is difficult and increases the chance of scratching the surface.
The watch is paired with a light brown cow leather with blue stitching. Note the machined stainless steel bridge that connects the two parts of the bracelet.
The clasp is short and uses a push-button release. The clasp utilises the simple folding design which makes it compact (as seen in the photo below).
The watch casing is water rated to just 50 meters and has a weight to 132 gm.
Unlike the previous iterations, this latest Face 2 Face does not look as intimidating. The contemporary round case design helps to repress the substantial dimensions of the watch. I believe this alone makes the series more wearable and less intrusive. Below is a video of the watch on my wrist.
The change in the shape for this latest iteration has been positive in my opinion. It has attracted more fans to this line. Future launches is therefore expected.
In conclusion, the Jazzmaster Face 2 Face III is an interesting concept that makes use of an ingenious method of using the front and back surfaces of the watch for a number of complications.
Specifications
Reference: H32876550
Collection: Jazzmaster
Case Diameter: 44.00 mm
Length: 51.0 mm
Thickness: 17.25 mm
Dial color: Silver
Case Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire with AR protection
Lug Width: 22.00 mm
Weight: 132 gm
Water Resistance: 5 bar (50 meters)
Strap reference: H6000001371
Strap type: Cow leather with blue stitching
Buckle type: Folding clasp
Buckle width: 20.0 mm
Caliber: H-41
Movement: Automatic
Complications: Chronograph, day & date, tachymeter, pulsemeter, reversible face
Power reserve: 60 hour
Vendor: Hang Thai Watch, Bangsar Village
MSRP: RM13,100
Purchase Date: 26 June 2023
Purchase Price: RM11,135
Warranty: Two years
Launch Date: 2023
Serial Number: 481/999
Photo Gallery
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