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Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face III (Ref. H32876550)

Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face III review: a limited edition dual-dial chronograph that flips, surprises, and proves Hamilton still dares to innovate.

Matthew Clapp

04 Oct 2025 — 6 min read

Image Credit: Matthew C

Every now and then, a watch appears that makes you stop scrolling. For me, that was the Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face III. A chronograph with two dials that flips inside its case like a pocket watch gone rogue? That is not just design; that is theater. I loved it instantly. It is the kind of horological experiment that does not ask for permission.

Hamilton did not invent the reversible watch (Jaeger-LeCoultre owns that crown), but they did something cheeky and democratic with the idea. The Face 2 Face III channels the same spirit of play - mechanical curiosity with a dash of showmanship - but at a price that does not make your accountant wince.

This was my first Hamilton purchase, though not my last. I wanted something different, something that could stand on its own in a collection filled with more restrained pieces. And while it is not the most comfortable or versatile watch I own, it is one of the most fun. It is the kind of piece that reminds you why we collect in the first place: because sometimes, watches can still surprise you.

Brand Context and History

Hamilton's story begins in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where the company helped solve a national crisis - trains colliding because everyone’s pocket watch told a slightly different time. Hamilton became the brand that kept the railroads running on time, and that precision-first mindset stayed in its DNA long after it crossed the Atlantic.

When I think of Hamilton, I still picture that mix of American practicality and Swiss discipline. Yes, it is part of the Swatch Group now, but its spirit feels distinct. It is a brand that has never been afraid to experiment - electric watches, Ventura asymmetrical cases, Khakis that actually saw field use - all delivered at prices that feel anchored in reality.

The Face 2 Face III fits squarely in that lineage. It is Hamilton saying, "Let's see how far we can push this without losing touch with the everyday collector." I own a few other Hamiltons - the Khaki Field Titanium Far Cry 6 LE, the Intra-matic, the Jazzmaster Maestro, and the Khaki Navy Pioneer LE - and every one of them punches above its price tag. But the Face 2 Face III is different. It is Hamilton's mad-scientist moment, and they knew it.

Case and Wearability

Let us be honest: 44 mm wide and 17.25 mm thick is not mid-size. This is a large, confident watch that knows what it is. Yet, on my 19 cm (7.5 in) wrist, it does not feel monstrous. The lugs curve, the case shape hugs, and the proportions somehow behave.

That said, this is not a flipper you operate on the wrist like a JLC. The mechanism works beautifully, but it is meant to be admired, not performed in motion. You feel it click, pivot, and settle into place - a little ritual that turns a simple glance into a moment.

There is a quirk: the rotating cradle does not lock as firmly as you might expect. On rare occasions, it shifts slightly during wear. It is not a deal-breaker, more a reminder that every clever bit of engineering comes with trade-offs. Hamilton had to design a system that lets the case flip while keeping the pushers and crown fixed. That is no small feat. I can forgive a little wobble for the magic trick it delivers.

Dial and Aesthetics

The dial side is controlled chaos. White, black, several shades of gray, and multiple blues that shift with the light - it should look like a design committee gone wrong. But it does not. It is bold, layered, and somehow harmonious.

The open date ring is a highlight. Instead of hiding the mechanics, Hamilton shows them off, giving the watch an industrial flavor. It is like catching a glimpse of gears under the hood. Combined with the subdials and day window, it turns the face into a miniature architectural model. Most chronographs would buckle under this much information, but here it feels balanced.

Under bright light, the dial comes alive. The blues glow and the depth becomes cinematic. In dim conditions, the palette darkens, and those bright blues fade to near-black. It is moody, unpredictable, and I love that.

Flip it over and you get a completely different experience. The second face is mostly a display of the movement, ringed by printed tachymeter and pulsometer scales. Let us be real - no one is measuring heart rates or race speeds with a wristwatch in 2024. Those scales are there for tradition's sake, a respectful nod to the history of chronographs. They also look great, which is really the point.

Movement and Performance

Powering the Face 2 Face III is Hamilton's H-41 automatic movement, derived from the Valjoux 7753 - a tried-and-true workhorse that Hamilton has refined and decorated with pride. Mine keeps time at an astonishing +/- 2 seconds per day. That is Rolex territory, but in a watch that costs a fraction of the price.

The rotor is lively - you feel it whirring on the wrist, a constant tactile reminder that you are wearing a machine. Flip the watch and you will see the perlage finishing, another touch that shows Hamilton was not phoning this in. The 60-hour power reserve gives it practicality, while the chronograph action feels crisp and deliberate.

The pushers have a satisfying resistance and make a soft, audible click. The only compromise is the visibility of the blued chronograph hand, which can blend into the dial depending on lighting. The lume, though, is spectacular. It glows a bright green that cuts through darkness, and there is something mesmerizing about seeing the seconds hand sweep across the luminous field.

Strap or Bracelet

My watch came with a brown leather strap featuring blue contrast stitching and a folding clasp. The strap is not trying to steal attention - it is there to complement the watch, not compete with it. The blue stitching perfectly echoes the dial's accents, and the clasp feels secure and easy to operate.

I did try swapping it once, out of curiosity, but nothing else worked as well. Hamilton made the right call. The stock strap nails the balance between comfort and character. Considering the 2,995 USD retail price when these launched, the quality of the strap and clasp feels like part of the overall value proposition - a complete design, not an afterthought.

On the Wrist (Wear Experience)

The Face 2 Face III is not a quiet companion. It is a conversation starter, a mechanical flex that does not take itself too seriously. People notice it immediately - the dual crystals catch the light, the flipping case draws curiosity, and before long, you are explaining how it works. It is fun.

I wear it selectively - not because it is uncomfortable, but because it is special. It fills a niche in my collection that no other piece can. It is my reminder that watches can still be whimsical. The engineering may be serious, but the effect is joyful.

There is also a satisfying honesty about it. The watch does not pretend to be something it is not. It is big, bold, a little impractical, and entirely unapologetic. It is that one friend who always has a good story - not for everyday company, but impossible to forget.

Final Thoughts

This watch feels like the product of a creative dare. Someone at Hamilton probably said, "Let us make something visually wild, mechanically clever, and technically ambitious - and sell it for under three grand." And then they actually did it.

The Face 2 Face III was limited to 999 pieces, which feels about right. It is too eccentric to be mainstream, but perfect for collectors who love mechanical imagination. It is the kind of watch that rewards curiosity - you do not buy it for daily wear, you buy it for the grin it gives you when you flip the case and realize just how absurdly well-executed this whole idea is.

I bought mine new from an authorized dealer in June 2024, via another collector. A few still float around on Chrono24, proof that while some owners move on, others, like me, hold onto it because there is nothing else quite like it.

For me, it is a keeper - not a daily wearer, but a reminder that watchmaking does not always need to be serious to be smart.