About Hamilton
Hamilton was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1892. Now headquartered in Switzerland, Hamilton is well-respected in the watchmaking industry for making reliable and stylish timepieces. Hamilton watches tend to be priced in the $750 – $2,000 range.
I own several Hamiltons and generally have had good experiences with their watches.
How We Review Watches
Our reviews are based on our first-hand experience with the watch. All photos and media are created by us (unless otherwise credited). Learn more about how we review watches and see other customer reviews, specs and prices on Amazon.
Review Summary
There’s a lot of competition in the $500 to $1,000 price bracket, and the Hamilton Jazzmaster is a bit of a heavyweight in the segment. As a daily wearer, the Jazzmaster Day/Date is a great watch- it’s good looks, reliable ETA movement, and sapphire/stainless steel combination make for a watch that will look and run great for years. I like it’s somewhat understated styling, its weight and balance, and the quality of its build. Recommended.
Hamilton Jazzmaster Day/Date Technical Specifications
- Model Number: H32505151
- MSRP: $925
- Case Diameter: 40mm
- Alternate Models: Lots available on Amazon
- Movement: ETA 2834-2 automatic
- Complications: Day/date display
- Power Reserve: Approximately 38 hours
- Water Resistance: 50m/164ft
- Crystal Material: Sapphire
Operating the Watch
The Jazzmaster Day/Date has a single crown to manipulate the time, day, and date display. Note that if the automatic movement has stopped, it is best to turn the crown 10-20 times before setting the watch. This winds up the movement so that it begins keeping time as soon as you set it.
How To set the time:
- Pull crown to the furthest position (position 3). Turn the crown clockwise to set the time.
How To set the day and date display:
- Pull the crown to the middle position (position 2) and turn clockwise to set the date display. Turn counterclockwise to set the day display.
Hamilton Jazzmaster Day/Date Aesthetics & Design
The Hamilton Jazzmaster is a mainstay in affordable Swiss watches. For a lot of people, Hamilton is one of the first brands that they encounter due to its sheer popularity. You’ll find Hamilton in jewellery stores in malls all over the world.
Part of the brands popularity is its design language. It has a history of clean styling that is rarely overdone (with some, uhh, notable exceptions). Looking at this Jazzmaster specifically, evidence of this design language is plastered all over it.
The caseback is attractive, with the watch features and model engraved on the steel surrounding the exhibition window. On the rotor, “Hamilton” is engraved above the jewel count, and is finished with a brushed texture. The brass contrasts nicely with the stainless steel.
The two-tone stainless steel bracelet features an integrated deployment clasp. It’s the perfect compliment to the watch and makes the 40mm case appear a little larger than it really is. With the steel bracelet the 40mm is the perfect size for most men that have average-sized wrists.
I’m a big fan of the Jazzmaster, and the steel on steel H32505151 model in particular.
Hamilton Jazzmaster Build Quality
With an MSRP of $925, you’d be right to expect good build quality. This is an area that Hamilton typically does well, and my experience with the Jazzmaster Day/Date echoes that sentiment.
Crystal, Case, and Dial
The stainless steel case is pretty durable, though after several months of regular wear it has some scratches around the crystal and on the deployment clasp. From regular viewing distance they aren’t noticeable- you have to get nice and close to see them.
The crystal has no scratches or wear of any kind (which is what I expect from sapphire). It doesn’t fog up, it’s is easy to clean, and its slight curvature looks excellent.
The dial looks great. The raised hour markers have a razor-thin strip of lume on them which can be hard to see at night. However, in regular lighting it looks fantastic. With the day/date display at 12 and 6 o’clock respectively, and with the dial being otherwise uncluttered, the Jazzmaster really does look excellent. This watch will look as good 20 years from now as it does today.
Bracelet and Clasp
The H32505151 model of the Jazzmaster comes with a two-tone stainless steel bracelet. It has good weight to it and feels well built. It doesn’t flex much when side pressure is placed on it and is comfortable to wear. It weighs more than leather, but that weight feels like quality as opposed to weight.
After several months of regular wear the bracelet is showing scratches and signs of use. From a distance you’d never know, but if you get within a foot of it the scratches are easy to see.
The deployment clasp is very secure and doesn’t accidentally open. The mechanism operates as well today as it did months ago when I first started wearing it. I’m very happy with it.
More About the Timex Weekender 40 Chronograph
Movement
The ETA 2834-2 automatic movement began manufacture in 1974, though the version used in the Jazzmaster was updated as of 1982. For over 35 years the 2834-2 has been a reliable workhorse used in watches with day/date displays. It has 25 jewels and features a power reserve of approximately 38 hours.
This movement powers millions of watches from a variety of brands. In this application it is accurate to within 15 seconds per day. With regular wear you will likely be setting the time once every 10 to 14 days.
Read more information about the ETA 2834-2.
Value for Money
While the MSRP for this Jazzmaster is $925, it’s commonly found for around $650 on Amazon. In my opinion, at any price under $750 you’re getting good value.
Comparing the Jazzmaster to other automatics priced from $500 to $750, you’ll find a lot of watches with similar date or day/date complications (and even an occasional chronograph). That’s because watches in this prince range typically employ the use of an off the shelf automatic from ETA, Miyota, or Seiko.
The Hamilton stands out thanks to its clean, minimalist style, quality bracelet, and sapphire crystal. Hamilton as a brand puts a lot of pride into their watches, and it really shows in this Jazzmaster.
Photo Gallery
Hello
Great review. If this jazzmaster day/date was fitted with a leather strap (gloss black for example) would this pass for a dress watch?
I am looking for a Hammy that I can wear everyday but can also be considered when dressing up in a suit. I thought the date day was a great pragmatic function for everyday wear.
Thanks so much!
David NY
Hi David!
I’m glad you enjoy the review. The Jazzmaster Day/Date is one of my favourite everyday watches to wear. Now, would this one pass as a dress watch? Absolutely.
It’s strap is a two-tone polished/brushed stainless steel- a classy, complimentary look. The steel case and dial are also very subdued and would fit right in under a sport-coat or dress shirt cuff.
Removing the stainless steel strap and opting for a leather band would downplay the watch somewhat. If that’s what you’re looking for your dress watch to do then I think it’d be a great transition. Leather-strapped models sell for about $150 less as well.
Either way, regardless of which version you get, you’ll come to find that the Jazzmaster is a solid timepiece. If you acquire one I’d be interested in hearing how you enjoy it!
Cheers!
Cameron
Hi Cameron,
Sorry i did not see your reply (thought I was set up to get email when a reply hits) so sorry this was late. Thanks for the input. I was under the impression that a leather strap made a watch more formal, but i do agree with you certainly that the steel bracelet looks amazing. i was thinking of adding a leather strap as an option. i plan to wear this pretty often.
Thanks again I love this blog.. keep going 🙂
David NY
The Jazzmaster Day/Date does not have an integrated bracelet, meaning that you could easily buy a leather strap and switch between the steel bracelet and strap. That way you get the best of both worlds 🙂
The Jazzmaster Day/Date’s lug width is 20mm, so find yourself a 20mm leather strap that you like and you’re in business. I recommend an alligator-grain strap (personal preference, very subjective) as it pairs with the Jazzmaster quite well.
Enjoy it! Shoot us a mini-review once you’ve had a chance to wear it 🙂
Thank you again. Great idea and I am so partial to gator straps. Will do.
Great review! I’ve had this watch for just over a year now and it’s my favorite watch I’ve ever owned (granted I haven’t owned that many). Not too flashy so I can wear it on weekends, and dressy enough to wear with a suit. It was also one of the few watches that didn’t look massive on my fairly small wrists. It has held up extremely well and still looks new, my only complaint is it’s made me have to start shopping for a watch winder.
Nothing wrong with a watch winder… 😉
You’ve gone & done it! Wow! What a striking watch. I will be visiting my AD this weekend to check out & possibly purchase. Thanks Cam.
If you buy through my Amazon link I get a small commission (to put towards my next contest) and Amazon is an authorized retailer! 😉
Now that is great to know. Thanks and when it’s time I will do!
David NY
Appreciated, sir!
when I go to buy the watch through your link I receive the message that “This watch is covered by a warranty from the seller, ********, not from the manufacturer.” So I guess Amazon is not an authorized retailer…. I wonder if they could sell copies considering the watches are not covered by warranty from the seller!
Thank you for your review!! It was extremely helpful! … except for the amazon being an authorized retailer part…
That’s odd. However, it appears the store that is selling it offers a decent warranty 🙂
No matter who you get it from I’m confident you’ll enjoy it once you have it!
Nice review !
But I preferred buy the Tissot couturier day/date auto, better value for price I think 🙂
Same movement for half of the price !
Hello Cameron, thanks for the excellent review. Just came by your blog when looking at reviews for this Hamilton watch. I’m in Calgary and have never purchased a watch online. Wonder if you have experience with online retailers like Jomashop and Amazon; Are they reliable to purchase from? Just concerned about receiving a genuine item. Thanks again.
I’ve bought tons of watches off of Amazon without issues. If you’re in Calgary, swing by Gem by Carati and chat with them. They are who I go to for Hamilton & Tissot timepieces because they give me a good price and take excellent post-sale care of me.
Don’t forget to post up what you get!
Just took delivery of my own Hamilton Jazzmaster Day/Date watch from Jomashop.com and I love it. Dealing with Jomashop was a real pleasure, and the watch is an excellent investment. Having owned a David Yurman Thoroughbread at $4,000, I can say that the Hamilton is every bit as satisfying as a more expensive timepiece. I turned to Hamilton originally because I own my father’s 1950 Hamilton which, after reconditioning, still runs to this day. I prefer the dress look so I went with the black alligator leather strap which dresses the watch up nicely.
All in all, going with the Jazzmaster was a great decision.
Excellent choice! Enjoy 🙂
Hello Cameron,
Awesome review, however I have a question regarding the dial, because on the pictures it shows sometimes as a plain white dial, and somtimes as a a silver steel dial where we can actually see small “lines” somewhat similar to “brushed steel”.
What is the dial really like? Are there different models or is it just that depending on the lights we don’t see the steel aspect every time?
Thanks in advance for your answer, and nice work on this review 🙂
Hi Pierre,
I am glad you enjoyed the review- thank you for your kind words 🙂
The dial on this version of the Jazzmaster Day/Date is a brushed finished, though it is admittedly hard to capture in photos. It changes based on the lighting and angle.
I hope that helps! If you have any other questions let me know 🙂
Thank you for your quick answer 🙂
It’s helping indeed. I’m trying to decide between this watch (leather strap, gold hands, silver crown) and the 2015 viewmatic which has a more intricate dial but only plain silver hands.
By any chance, have you seen the viewmatic’s dial ? What do you think about it compared to the Day/date ?
No store is selling those close to me so I can’t try them out.
Thanks!
I have not seen the Viewmatic first hand. Sorry I can’t help you there 🙁
Can you confirm – it looks like the movement is bi-directional winding. My watch winder is a 2-watch model that can bet set clockwise, counter-clockwise, or bi-directional. The other watch I use the winder for has a clockwise 650 turns per day recommendation. Do you think the Hamilton will charge effectively if the watchwinder is set to clockwise, or would it be better to charge one or the other and set the watch winder accordingly? I mean, I can try it out and see what works, just in case you had an opinion. Thanks for the detailed review.
It is indeed bi-directional. I don’t know which method of watch winding would be better, however. Sorry I can’t help more there!
Well, thanks for the response! I am trying it clockwise and I am thinking it likely won’t matter which direction it is charged in.