by Tyler Frederick
Legend of the Silver Screen
When it comes to design, I’m a big fan of anything unique or “weird.” In a world that’s creating this corporate, greyscale uniformity, I take every opportunity to search for and find things that make me smile or audibly say, “Oh, that’s different.” This allows me to keep my inner child happy and keeps that sense of wonder and adventure alive. It also enables me to appreciate design from a place of true passion and love, not from a monetary standpoint or keeping up with trends. For the last week, I’ve enjoyed checking out a watch with such a unique design, which has also been seen across the silver screen: the Hamilton Ventura.
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Key Features of the Hamilton Ventura
The original Ventura launched in January 1957 and was the world’s first battery-powered watch. Its iconic aesthetic reflects 1950s automotive designs by renowned automotive engineer Richard Arbib, who also designed the Ventura. Arbib created cars and custom vehicles for the Illinois-based Henney Automobile Company. The Ventura reflects Arbib’s talent as an automotive designer, as the watch shares the same unique design quirks as the cars he created which would remain timeless and beautiful for generations. It’s also a fantastic example of Mid-Century Modern design from the 1950s.
Fast forward to the modern-contemporary version of the Ventura on my wrist; the watch is practically identical to the original. Of course, there are some changes to the internals, but the aesthetic has remained untouched, and I love that. The watch is reflective (pun intended) of glitz and glam thanks to its fully polished stainless steel case and elegant leather strap. Featuring a 32.3mm case diameter and a 50.3mm lug-to-lug, the Ventura provides a unique wrist experience. The overall size of the watch feels fantastic, and while the case is on the smaller side, the longer lug-to-lug and the addition of the “wings” create a comfortable “full-sized” wearing experience. While the Ventura looks elegant, there is a level of sci-fi and a gorgeous example of what designers in the 1950s thought the future would look like.
The beautiful black dial on the Ventura is another strong talking point. The modern version is practically identical to the vintage, featuring highly polished lollipop indices and, from 3:00 to 9:00, an electronic wavelength printed on the dial to signify the electrical current powering the watch. The Ventura was the first electronic/battery-powered watch ever produced via the Calibre 500, which, for reliability and an update to modern standards, was replaced by the
quartz Calibre 955.412.
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SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 32.3mm Diameter 50.3mm Lug to Lug 9.27mm Thick 17mm Lug Width Display Case Back 50m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Mineral Crystal Gloss Black Dial Applied Markers Dauphine Handset |
| Movement | Calibre 955.412 7 Jewels 32 768Hz |
| Strap | Black Leather |
Hamilton Ventura
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Of Interest
As mentioned earlier, the Ventura has had a life on the silver screen. The watch made memorable appearances in the 1961 Elvis Presley film Blue Hawaii. The Ventura was a favourite of Mr. Presley’s and quickly became a pop culture icon. However, even after the impact it made, Hamilton would cease production of the Ventura in 1963. Twenty-five years later, the Ventura returned to Hamilton’s lineup with an updated quartz movement and was featured on the wrists of Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in the 1988 classic Men in Black, thus solidifying its pop culture status.
Quibbles
I’m a fan of the Ventura in all aspects: design, wearability, history—it has it all. While I am a fan, the watch makes me slightly nervous because it’s highly polished everywhere. Obviously, it’s not meant to be worn daily in all instances, but I feel like it’s a watch you must be cautious about–to avoid scratching or damaging. On another note, it would be nice to see some brushed finishing to break up the design; it’s too much shine for me and a fingerprint nightmare.
Final Thoughts
The Ventura is a beautiful and wearable example of Mid-Century Modern design that has been carried into pop culture and has since been reborn into many models and variations. It scratches that unique “itch,” and I feel that many collectors and enthusiasts will appreciate and love it the same way, specifically as a dress watch. If you are interested in the Ventura, visit the brand website, or shop it at Gem Bijou.
Pricing & Availability
The Hamitlon Ventura retails for $975USD/1260CAD and is available worldwide.
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About the author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
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