The House of Hamilton has brought out a custom-designed « Desert Watch » specifically requested by filmmaker Denis Villeneuve for his new cinematic adventure Dune: Part Two and in partnership with Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. The world of Frank Herbert’s Dune set the stage for the creation of a specially conceived watch. At Villeneuve’s request, Hamilton worked alongside the film’s prop master, Doug Harlocker, to craft a watch for another world that defies traditional watch norms. With no knowledge of the device’s function but guided by the lore of Frank Herbert’s Dune and Villeneuve’s vision for the film, Hamilton’s designers created a hardwearing, distinctly Fremen device that perfectly embodied Harlocker’s artistry and Villeneuve gave an enthusiastic go ahead on the final design, explains Hamilton. 

While the « Desert Watch » participates in the saga that revolves around the mystical planet of Arrakis and the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen, the timepiece has inspired Hamilton to launch two limited edition otherworldly watches: The Ventura Edge Dune Limited Edition and the Ventura XXL Bright Dune Limited Edition. Both of the Swiss-made watches are outfitted with quartz movements. The release of the watches at the end of February coincided with the release of Dune Part II and both Venturas feature a luminous blue dial reminiscent of the Fremen’s unmistakable blue eyes. The Fremen are a group of people in the Dune universe that have an exceptionally mobile military. The Ventura Bright includes a button replicating the glowing blue lines of the “Desert Watch” dial design. The brand-new Ventura Edge boasts a matte black PVD-coated angular case with a digital display in blue, mimicking the relief elements seen on the prop in the film. The limited-edition pieces come with commemorative packaging inspired by the film.

The Hamilton Ventura XXL Bright Dune Limited Edition timepiece with its “Fremen” blue details. Photo courtesy Hamilton. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette

The house of Hamilton, which was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1892, has enjoyed a historic presence in Hollywood, featuring in over 500 major movies and TV shows since 1932. Its timepieces synchronized the first railroads and kept time for aviation pioneers and U.S. soldiers. Today the house is owned by the Swatch Group and Hamilton remains remains driven by it “American spirit with Swiss precision”. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette. https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/