Hands on with Hamilton's new Jazzmaster Thinline Automatic

The Jassmaster Thinline Auto is a 40mm automatic that offers the ideal size and other watch-wearing essentials like an ETA automatic, sapphire crystal, and display case back. If you want a basic dress watch with super simple and reliable elements, then you may need to have this watch in your arsenal.

Background

Hamilton continues to be a respected player in the Swatch Group’s middle-range market along with sister companies like Tissot, Certina, and Mido. This year, the 38mm Field Mechanical from Hamilton’s Khaki Collection got a lot of attention with its vintage-inspiration.

With less fanfare, the Jazzmaster Collection released this Thinline Auto 40mm. If you go searching for this Thinline keep an eye out for other models with a similar look. The Slim Auto has a 43mm. There’s also an Intra-Matic Auto that shares a similar dial design but straddles the sizes with a 38mm and a 42mm in their American Classic Collection.

First Impressions

The sample I got from Hamilton had me at “hello.” The polished case was brighter than the images on Instagram and the dial color was striking. The leather strap was soft and easy to size although the crown was a little small for my sausage fingers.

The crown may be small, but the case size is spectacularly perfect. I loved their watches of the 50s and 60s, but always laugh when I see the small size on my wrist. I feel like I’m a giant, even though my wrist is only 7.5” in diameter. Today’s watches at 42mm seem too large and often feel like a fashionable ticking timebomb. Eventually, the size is going to be too big. The 40mm case size (and varying lug to lug lengths) is my sweet spot.

The size of the dial to case can convey a larger or smaller feel, and this one looks larger since there’s not a lot of case around the dial. The Doxa dive watches are great examples of a what a small dial can do to the overall feel of the watch.

Case size, height, crystal and dial

The case is 9mm slim by my calipers and the sapphire crystal has no meaningful impact on the height. The crown was a little disappointing since it seemed exceptionally small, or because I’m used to my Oris Big Crown Propilot. I guess the crown size is a good thing since the case can still be big for those who like the 38mm case size when crown digs into the wrist. This crown will not do that at all.

The case has a high polish finish and weighs practically nothing. I was a little disappointed in the weight thinking that the heavier a watch means tough, but that’s not completely rational. I know this. The great thing was that the 53 grams had exceptional comfort for the entire day of wear.

Part of the comfort comes from knowing how easy it is to change straps. They used a “EasyClick” system to provide a tool-free means of removing the straps, which come in four colors including the white champagne dial I reviewed and the slate gray, midnight blue, and bronze. The strap also had a polished and signed buckle which was exceptionally easy to size for the wrist.

The luminescence is slight on these dials, but I didn’t mind it too much, because you really want to see these dials in full sun. The light hitting the color is very handsome. The date window at 6 o’clock is small but not deep under the dial making the date easy to read from any view point. There is no seconds hand and I really didn’t miss it. I doubt you will either.

Movement

The ETA 2892-A2 is the standard bearer of automatics in the Swatch Group family and this movement is not a surprise. I was surprised how audible the rotor was as I wore it. I could tell it was delivering on its promise to wind the mainspring, but at times I didn’t want to hear it.

Cost and value

Face it. Everyone needs at least one, thin dress watch that will be an understated time teller when you’re dressed up. This one offers the dial and strap options for any taste, has a basic reliable movement and sapphire crystal, and has the brand that’ll be around for a long time. It retails for $945 USD on their Web site.

Watch Overview:

Brand & Model: Price: Who we think it might be for: This is for the person who loves the vintage simplicity design and modern, hassle free every day dress watch.
Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: I would buy this watch.

If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: I would experiment with crown sizes that are easier to grab and set.
What spoke to me the most about this watch: I wanted to wear this watch the minute I saw it. It’s the ideal size with timeless design.

Specifications: