Hamilton drops two Dune limited editions inspired by the prop watch they designed for the film
Zach BlassHamilton is the reigning champion of watches on the silver screen, their watches having featured in over 500 major films since 1932. These horological cameos were more often than not limited to either the usage of vintage or existing models – sometimes remixed in a new colour scheme to tie into the movie. Other instances have required the development of an entirely new watch, even assisting in the development of the Murph prop watch with its morse-code stuttering second hand. As many of you likely already know, the long-awaited second part of Dune is coming to international theatres soon, beginning February 28th. And, surprise surprise, Hamilton adds Dune: Part Two to a long list of films they have assisted in with a watch.
The “Desert Watch” prop watch
Now, the watch that appears in the film and the two new limited editions Hamilton are launching aren’t one and the same. This so-called “Desert Watch” prop is exclusive to the fictional land of Arrakis.
Hamilton explains: “At [Denis] 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 hard-wearing, distinctly Fremen device that perfectly embodied Harlocker ’s artistry and earned Villeneuve’s blessing on the final design.”
What you are able to potentially purchase and wear are two limited-edition Venturas, each inspired by the distinct blue hue of the Fremen’s eyes and elements of the prop watch’s design.
Hamilton Ventura XXL Bright Dune Limited Edition
The Ventura XXL Bright Dune Limited Edition, as its name suggests, is packaged in a very large, 50-metre water-resistant, black PVD-coated stainless steel case clocking in at 46.6mm in diameter, a somewhat slender 11.8mm thick, and a small-for-its-diameter lug-to-lug of 52mm. Having worn a Ventura of comparable size on my 6.5-inch wrist, I cannot beat around the bush – it has an overwhelming presence on wrists like mine. For the average, or larger-than-average wrist, its size is manageable depending on your tastes and preferences.
It’s outfitted on a 23.5mm-wide black rubber strap with a pin buckle closure, so definitely do not expect to play strap monster with this one. With a quartz movement, the Ventura Bright Dune utilises an analogue display for the hours, minutes, and seconds. Its black dial is also bordered with blue accents reminiscent of the button and lines seen on the “Desert Watch” prop that light up on demand.
| Brand | Hamilton |
| Model | Ventura XXL Bright Dune Limited Edition |
| Case Dimensions | 46.6mm (D) x 11.8mm (T) x 52mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel case w/ black PVD coating |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Dial | Black analogue light-up dial |
| Strap | Black rubber strap w/ pin buckle |
| Movement | Quartz analogue movement |
| Power Reserve | N/A |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, light-up dial |
| Availability | Limited to 3,000 pieces |
| Price | US$1,750 |
Hamilton Ventura Edge Dune Limited Edition
The Ventura Edge Dune Limited Edition follows the same black and blue-accented colour scheme, but has a slightly different shape with its 47.2mm diameter and 51mm lug-to-lug measurement. It is also 2mm thicker, but the trade-off is that the Ventura Edge Dune is twice as water-resistant, with a 100-metre depth rating.
The primary visual distinction comes from the displays. The Ventura Bright Dune uses an analogue display, whereas the Ventura Edge Dune has a digital one that mimics the reliefs seen on the prop watch. It also has on-demand blue backlighting for the digital display, but in a more sparse sense than the Ventura Bright Dune. The Ventura Edge Dune is also quartz-driven, and finds itself on a black rubber strap with a pin buckle closure, but the lug width of this strap is 23mm.
| Brand | Hamilton |
| Model | Ventura Edge Dune Limited Edition |
| Case Dimensions | 47.2mm (D) x 13.8mm (T) x 51mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel case w/ black PVD coating |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Dial | Black dial w/ blue digital light-up display |
| Strap | Black rubber strap w/ pin buckle |
| Movement | Quartz digital movement |
| Power Reserve | N/A |
| Functions | Digital hours and minutes light-up display |
| Availability | Limited to 2,000 pieces |
| Price | US$2,500 |
The verdict
With the function of the prop watch unclear, and its design so bespoke, I think Hamilton did well in reinterpreting the prop watch into two Ventura watches. While not one-to-one in shape, they offer that sense of futurism that made the Ventura a perfect match for films like Men in Black. They are certainly bold and large designs, so I don’t know if these pieces will have the same immediate appeal as, say, the Hamilton Khaki Murph. I also wonder if, considering their large size, it would have been a better move to have one larger and one smaller edition, to open the limited series to a wider spectrum of wrists.
Hamilton Dune Limited Editions pricing and availability
Both limited edition watches are available from the Time+Tide Shop, with the Hamilton Ventura XXL Bright Dune limited to 3,000 pieces, and the Hamilton Ventura Edge Dune limited to 2,000 pieces. Price: US1,750 (Ventura XXL Bright Dune), US$2,500 (Ventura Edge Dune).
| Brand | Hamilton | Hamilton |
| Model | Ventura XXL Bright Dune Limited Edition | Ventura Edge Dune Limited Edition |
| Case Dimensions | 46.6mm (D) X 11.8mm (T) X 52mm (LTL) | 47.2mm (D) x 13.8mm (T) x 51mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel case w/ black PVD coating | Stainless steel case w/ black PVD coating |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres | 100 metres |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Dial | Black analogue dial w/ blue light-up accents | Black dial w/ blue digital light-up display |
| Strap | Black rubber strap w/ pin buckle | Black rubber strap w/ pin buckle |
| Movement | Quartz analogue movement | Quartz digital movement |
| Power Reserve | N/A | N/A |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, light-up dial | Digital hours and minutes light-up display |
| Availability | Limited to 3,000 pieces | Limited to 2,000 pieces |
| Price | US$1,750 | US$2,500 |