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Before we get to know the new Hamilton PSR 74, let’s take a step back. In the wake of the quartz crisis and the resurgence of romantic mechanical watches, battery-powered watches became more taboo than mechanical watches. But back in the ’70s, while many Swiss manufacturers were celebrating the birth of quartz technology, the first-ever digital watch, the Hamilton Pulsar, was introduced with much fanfare as futuristic and next-generation. It may have been the birth of the iPhone back then.
That’s why Roger Moore, who plays James Bond, was so well suited, perhaps even more suited, to play it in “Live and Let Die.” In the real world, it has been worn by the likes of Elvis, Jack Nicholson, Keith Richards, and Elton John, and has become a hot topic of innovative wrist attraction. Additionally, these Pulsar watches were co-branded and marketed by Tiffany & Co. So when its rebirth, the Hamilton PSR, arrived in 2020, the quartz snob chatter was pretty much silenced by the overwhelming nostalgia and appreciation for the design icon of the past. . Since 2020, the same model has been presented in new colors, both on the case and on the bracelet, as well as on the digital display, and today a new PSR model, the PSR 74, joins the existing lineup.
As its name suggests, the PSR 74 takes inspiration from the Pulsar cushion released in 1974. The latest PSR released in 2020 was 41mm wide, 13.3mm thick, and 35mm case length, but the new PSR 74 has reduced dimensions. Diameter 30.9mm, thickness 12.4mm, case length 25.6mm. That said, despite being noticeably smaller, it is equally robust and maintains a 100 meter depth rating.
Just as the PSR was introduced in full brushed steel and yellow gold PVD, the PSR 74 replicates these two fully brushed colors, each equipped with a red digit LCD/OLED display. I am. These numbers are designed to maintain the original typeface seen in 1974. Apart from the obvious size difference, the PSR 74 case has two pushers, one at 3 o’clock and one at 9 o’clock. This allows you to display both time and date simultaneously on demand. Additional features include an alarm function and the ability to display the time in 12-hour or 24-hour format.
Not only the size difference between the PSR and PSR 74, but also the style of the bracelet is very noticeable. The smaller presidential-style links have been replaced with a dramatically tapered bracelet on the Pulsar Cushion with wide Y-shaped links. It has a narrow silhouette and looks more like a bangle bracelet. The bracelet is secured to the wrist with a butterfly style clasp, which I believe helps center the watch on the wrist.
We’ve mentioned the design differences in the latest PSR, but what’s the price difference? The stainless steel model costs $745, which is $50 less than the previous PSR equivalent. This is to be expected considering its small size. All things considered, I don’t think people with larger wrists would choose the smaller PSR 74. That said, the PSR 74 isn’t overtly marketed to women, so Hamilton simply expanded the collection by adding new shapes that stem from its heritage. This adds a new dimension to the latest PSR lineup. I never complain about this.
Due to their smaller size, I think the main difference between the models is that the PSR feels like a watch with a bracelet, while the PSR 74 feels like a bracelet with a watch. However, remember that both are equally functional and robust. All in all, in a watch landscape that is seeing a shift towards a more design-driven sensibility, the PSR 74 has the ability to deliver a retro-futuristic design that harkens back to 1970s flair, a style that is highly sought after horologically. It is a clock.
Hamilton PSR 74 price and availability
The Hamilton PSR 74 is available now from the Time+Tide store. Price: $745 (stainless steel), $845 (yellow gold PVD)
Brand Hamilton Model PSR 74 Reference H52304130 H52314130 Case Dimensions 30.9mm (W) x 12.4mm (T) x 25.6mm (LTL) Case Material Stainless Steel
Yellow gold PVD Water resistant 100 meters Crystal Sapphire, AR coating Dial LCD/OLED display Bracelet Single link bracelet matching the case, butterfly clasp Movement H-40e, Quartz Power reserve 4 years Functions Hours, minutes, date, alarm current Price $745 (steel)
845 USD (Yellow Gold PVD)
