The Hamilton Ventura - Iconic Collection

Throughout history, watches have been tools at the forefront of significant technical innovations. As time has progressed (pun intended), we see new and updated horological creations on people's wrists, some simple or some highly complex and technical. However, the technical aspect aside, there is often a reason we get into watches, whether it’s from the movies, our idols, family; we all get into it somehow. Today, our focus is the first electric watch ever created, and a watch seen on the silver screen from Elvis to the official watch of Men in Black: the Hamilton Ventura. With its distinctive triangular case, this iconic timepiece is a must-have for any serious watch collector. 

The Ventura was introduced to the world in January 1957. Its iconic design reflects the industrial era and the unique automotive designs of the 1950s; renowned automotive designer Richard Arbib designed the watch. While Arbib was a renowned automotive designer, cars weren’t the main inspiration for the iconic design of the Ventura. In a fascinating twist, Arbib, who had spent time in artillery during World War II, drew inspiration from the design of a bomb. 

But in 1961, with the release of the Elvis Presley classic film Blue Hawaii, the Ventura not only captured the public's imagination but also became a cultural icon. Worn by the King of Rock and Roll himself, specifically in white gold, the watch became an instant symbol of style and sophistication. The Ventura's influence extended beyond Elvis, with Rod Serling from The Twilight Zone also owning a Ventura, which can be seen on his wrist in episodes occasionally, further cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon. 

The Ventura carried on its silver screen legacy on the wrists of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in the 1997 classic Men in Black, as the design paired perfectly with their all-black suits and sunglasses. The Ventura would appear in all three Men in Black movies and again in Men in Black International in 2019. The modern Ventura has stayed true to the original, and even though the design is over 60 years old, it often leaves us thinking about the future, innovation from years gone by, and how creativity flourished in the 1950s. 

Want to check out the Ventura? We have it in stock, and new variations have recently been added to our inventory!