Jazzmaster Performer Auto Blue Ref. H36215640

As a brand with steep American roots, Hamilton was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania as a watch manufacturer that produced fine pocket watches. In subsequent years, developing reliable timepieces for the military, as well as the aviation industry became the basis of many current Hamilton models that hark back on attractive heritage designs. Now part of the Swiss watch giant Swatch group, Hamilton watches are made in Switzerland in accordance to high Swiss watchmaking standards. Although Hamilton is often associated with robust tool watches, the Jazzmaster series offers a range of enthralling timepieces bearing a contemporary style and a dressier appeal - just in case you need something a little sharper to dress up with on a fancy dinner.

Hamilton Jazzmaster Performer Auto Blue Ref. H36215640

Today the Jazzmaster collections clads a series of new models that are sized universally with a sporty look. The Hamilton Jazzmaster Performer 38 Blue  Ref. H36215640 is encased in an exquisitely crafted 316L stainless steel case bringing forth an attractive design reflecting contemporary elegance. With a case perfect diameter of 38mm, 43.5mm lug-to-lug, and a thickness of only 11.47mm, these dimensions present an incredibly versatile look that most wrist sizes will surely enjoy. Worn as a smart dress piece or as an casual everyday driver, the Jazzmaster Performer38 works perfectly as an all-rounder timepiece for a variety of occasions.

Combining the right blend of intricate finishes further emphasizes Hamilton’s close attention to detail in their watches, featuring a satin brushed finish on the top and the sloped sides of the lugs and a high polished finish on the midsection on both sides of the case. Refined with a polished bevelled edge on the lugs and a high polish bezel, the watch gleams splendidly as it catches the light in bright lighting conditions. At the 3 o’clock position, the Hamilton-signed crown is screwed down and achieve a water-resistance of 100m. Flanging it is the two chronograph pushers, designed in a slender oblong shape which allows wearer to press them at ease, activating the chronograph functions. For the first time, the sporty case now comes with a sporty bezel insert. The steel minute bezel allows its wearer to use its function purposefully, measuring elapsed time. The all new bezel and case design are both uplifting a hybrid aesthetic between elegant and ruggedness.

Blue sunray dial

Other than the new sleek case design, the star of the show is definitely the sleek and refined dial design. The Jazzmaster Performer displays a phenomenal sunburst blue dial accompanied with slim applied hour markers.

Furthermore, the dial is then flanged with a silver minute rehaut to finish the utilitarian look. As the hour markers and reheat shimmer altogether at various angles, the effect complements the polished handset of the piece to exhibit a charming wrist presence despite having a rather complex dial layout. This stunning dial is protected by a piece of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, keeping the dial crystal clear.

More on the handset now. The dauphine hands and the indexes are treated with a thin strip of SuperLuminova luminescent paint that provide a slight boost in night time visibility, however its main highlight rests in the high polish finish and delicate design of the hands and indexes to create a look that embodies a contemporary flair synonymous with the Jazzmaster line up. Excitingly, the new Performer series clads no date display, allowing the dial to possess a pleasing symmetry.

Superluminova glows in the dark

At the heart of the Jazzmaster Performer 38 lies the Hamilton solid and reliable caliber H-10 automatic movement. lies the Hamilton caliber H-10 automatic movement, which is a modified 25 jewel ETA day/date movement. The movement's main highlights include the boosted 80-hour power reserve achieved by lowering the 4 Hz beat rate of 28,800 beats per hour to 3 Hz (21,600 beats per hour). The lowered beat rate also translates to a more robust movement due to the lesser friction produced between the parts over time.

Finally, this Jazzmaster Performer 38 is fitted with a sporty racing-style perforated blue leather strap. The strap when paired with its sporty case gave the watch a seamless versatile overall, allowing its wearer to wear it comfortably at almost any locations, and at any point in time.

Overall, the all new Jazzmaster Performer 38 checks all the right boxes for a versatile piece one could dress up or down with while still carrying a new sporty character. Like many other Hamilton watches, the Jazzmaster Performer 38 offers remarkable value of money, packing impeccable Swiss craftsmanship and Hamilton’s proud American spirit in an attractive price range. For those who are yearning for an affordable solid Swiss-made watch with a classic sporty look, this would certainly be high up in the list of recommendations.