Hamilton Ventura XXXL Bright Watch Review
Saturday - 05 November 2022
The new 1950s-inspired Hamilton Ventura XXL Bright watch for 2022 is brought to life when the 9 o’clock button on the side of its case is pushed, illuminating the dial with a rich red neon city glow for optimal visibility in the dark.
The 1950s was an important era for many reasons. Not only was it the era when Sputnik 1 was launched into the Earth’s orbit, but Elvis was at the height of his career, whilst Hamilton was producing its first electronically powered wristwatch. The latter two go hand in hand since they would soon unite with one another – Elvis’ wrist and the Hamilton Ventura watch were a match made in heaven. The Hamilton Ventura was a futuristic watch with a futurist style.
The model caught the eye of Elvis Presley after its revolutionary design sent shock waves throughout the watch industry. It had been designed by industrial designer, Richard Arbib, famous for his memorable automotive designs. With his eye for avant-garde style, he developed the Hamilton Ventura – complete with its unique triangular-shaped profile and its set of art deco-inspired lugs. The Ventura was certainly a watch of its time and was produced before the quartz crisis was in full swing. The market needed something a little different and the Hamilton Ventura answered that need.
The Ventura was an off-the-wall design that looked like nothing else. It was also powered by an electric circuit. Hamilton had been working towards a battery-operated watch for some time. One that would still withhold a traditional balance wheel but would acquire its energy electromagnetically. Its eye-catching design veered away from classically round watches and offered something altogether new to modern watch enthusiasts. The original Hamilton Ventura watch was powered by the 500 movement but was later replaced by the 505. Its innovative case and bold dial design instantly caught the attention of Elvis Presley and he wore the Hamilton Ventura on the silver screen during the filming of the 1961 Blue Hawaii film. The King of Pop was not the only one drawn to the Ventura, however. During the 1960s, it appeared in the Twilight Zone before becoming part of the wardrobe of the Men In Black.
The new Hamilton Ventura XXL Bright watch takes inspiration from the vibrant colours of city life at night. Its Art Deco lugs are paired with a black PVD-coated case crafted from stainless steel in the iconic Ventura shape. The sleek black tone of the new Ventura watch’s dial with subtle grey elements changes dramatically when the 9 o’clock button is pushed. All of a sudden, the neon lights of the city flood the dial in red thanks to the custom quartz movement sending out a signal in the form of an electrical pulse. The red light penetrates the stick hour markers and the pulse zig-zag effect across the dial, whilst the minute track remains grey, with circular markers that represent the 5-minute increments. Even if you don’t activate the light on the new Ventura XXL Bright watch, Hamilton experts have designed the legible hands of the dial with plenty of Super-LumiNova that will naturally glow in dark conditions. The new Hamilton Ventura XXL bright watch is featured on a sleek black rubber band with a black PVD-coated stainless steel buckle to keep in line with the rest of the retro design.
The new Hamilton Ventura XXL Bright watch is an important model within the brand’s core range because it represents a milestone in the company’s history. The watch continues to tell the story of the Ventura from the initial 1957 design, representing the very first electrical watch, to a line that is now instantly detectable for its unmissable pulse line motif. This was, of course, over half a century ago, showing that despite the constantly evolving developments and cutting-edge technology of the world of Haute Horlogerie – the electronic quartz movement of the Ventura is here to stay.
If you’d like more information on the new Hamilton Ventura XXL Bright watch, you can explore the model in more detail here, or call and speak to a member of our sales team on 01335 453453
