Fergus Nash
The new Hamilton Boulton Macaron collection puts a colourful spin on their 1940s classic.The release rides on the popularity boost thanks to the new Indiana Jones film.Its colours are inspired by the peppermint, vanilla, lemon and pistachio flavours of macaron.Although there's no such thing as a Hamilton watch which isn't a fan-favourite, the Swiss brand with rich American heritage has been spending time in the last couple years jazzing up some of their lesser-hyped ranges. Just like the Jazzmaster Skeleton in pink and the Ardmore range in a variety of popping colours, the Hamilton Boulton collection has been given a colourful update inspired by four flavours of macarons. Paired with quartz movements and steel cases, these petite, 1940s beauties are affordable treats for the eyes.The Hamilton Boulton was originally released in 1940 and sporadically scattered throughout the following decades, becoming one of the brand's most popular watches thanks to its slender size, classic dial, and reliable movements. Quartz movements found their way to the Boulton in the 80s, and it was reissued as we know it today in 2009. Recently, its cameo in the new Indiana Jones film gave it another boost of popularity, so the timing is right for another expansion. There doesn't seem to be any specific reasoning behind the macaron influence, but we can't argue with results. After all, pure fun is as good a reason as any.The dials are inescapably classic with their bold, Roman numerals and small seconds hands no matter how colourful they are, and the alpha' style hour and minute hands are true to the original design from 1940. The peppermint blue and vanilla beige are the bravest references with their dials completely covered in colour, while the lemon yellow and pistachio green are reserved just for the numerals on white dials. Each version comes with a specific colour-matched leather strap, however the 16mm lug width should give you plenty of aftermarket options if you want to experiment.The Hamilton Boulton case has been popular for 80 years for good reason, as the sloping case plays on the tonneau shape without straying too far away from the comfort of a rectangle. If the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is Art Deco, then the Boulton is Art Nouveau. This edition is definitely one of the smaller sizes to have been produced, but it's still gender neutral thanks to its vintage vibes. The case size dimensions are 23.5mm wide by 27.4mm long, with a 37mm lug-to-lug length. The height is 8.64mm, ensuring a comfortable and sleek fit on pretty much any wrist.Powered by an ETA 980.163 quartz movement, this is clearly a watch intended to be worn casually and occasionally, although it could easily be worn daily if your wardrobe suits the colour palette. The 50m water resistance doesn't make it swimmable, but it's more than enough for peace of mind in heavy rain or the occasional accidental submersion.Hamilton Boulton Macaron collection pricing and availabilityThe Hamilton Boulton Macaron collection is now available from Hamilton's website and authorised dealers. Price: A$1,125, US$645BrandHamiltonModelBoultonCase Dimensions23.5mm (W) x 8.64mm (T) x 37mm (LTL)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance50 metresCrystal(s)SapphireDialTurquoise, beige, white with yellow, white with greenLug Width16mmStrapColour-matched leatherMovementETA 980.163, quartzPower ReserveThree-year battery lifeFunctionsHours, minutes, small secondsAvailabilityAvailable nowPriceA$1,125, US$645
22.11.23