1960s Hamilton Fontainebleau Odyssee 2001 Ref. 64061-3

As the story goes, prior to the start of filming, Stanley Kubrick approached Hamilton about producing a futuristic watch that could be worn by the astronauts in his upcoming movie. Hamilton responded to his request by creating a highly unusual, cuff-style timepiece with multiple displays and an unmistakably space-age appearance. The original plan was to create a consumer version of the outlandish prop watch that could be sold as memorabilia to film buffs and the members of the general public. However, it was ultimately decided to produce the Hamilton Fontainebleau Odyssee 2001 watch instead, which offered a much more traditional overall experience on the wrist, while still retaining a decidedly futuristic and space-inspired design.

The 38mm asymmetrical case of the Hamilton Fontainebleau Odyssee 2001 reference 64061-3 could best be described as a streamlined and modernized version of the driver-focused watches from the same era, which featured wedge-shaped cases that angled their displays towards the wearer for improved visibility while gripping a steering wheel. The Odyssee 2001 joined Hamilton’s existing Fontainebleau lineup of watches, which were a collection of models produced during the 1960s and 1970s that were defined by their unusual and non-traditional case shapes. Although the watch itself never actually appeared on-screen, the Hamilton Fontainebleau Odyssee 2001 was released to coincide with the launch of the movie, and everything about the model from its unusual case shape to its dial design with a circular date window perfectly match with the retro-futuristic aesthetic of the film.

Often considered to be one of Stanley Kubrick’s greatest works and his true magnum opus, 2001: A Space Odyssey was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress in 1991, and it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. While most watch enthusiasts know about the Hamilton-produced prop watch, the Hamilton Fontainebleau Odyssee 2001 is one of the lesser-known gems from the brand’s archives, yet it offers a truly unique aesthetic and has direct ties to one of the most important sci-fi films in cinema history.