Hamilton’s Legendary Chronograph Gets a Gorgeous, Vintage-Inspired Update

Since relaunching in 2017, Hamilton’s Intra-Matic Chronograph collection has been one of the most popular affordable chrono options thanks to its impeccable heritage and coveted 1960s auto-racing aesthetic.

But few fans are aware that the now-iconic bi-compax dial predates the 1969 debut of Hamilton’s landmark Chrono-Matic, and first appeared in 1968 with the hand-wound Chronograph A.

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Hamilton

Hamilton revived the mechanical auto racing watch with its original panda and reverse panda color schemes in 2021, adding an H for “hand-wound” to the name. Now, the Intra-Matic Chronograph H gets a splash of color inspired by the late 1960s Golden Age of Auto Racing Watches.

Three new dial options join the two existing monochromatic designs: a blue dial with orange chronograph hands, a brown fumé dial with a white chronograph seconds hand and black sub-dial hands, and a green fumé dial with the same hand coloration.

Hamilton

All three watches mirror the original panda version with sunken, metallic silver subdials with a snailed texture and beveled rims. Additionally, they maintain the steel obelisk hands and chamfered hour markers found throughout the collection.

Nothing but time

At first glance, the Intra-Matic Chronograph H dial looks identical to the automatic alternative, but there are a couple of nuanced differences that, in my opinion, make it a better-looking watch.

Hamilton

The most notable difference is the removal of the date complication located at 6:00 on the standard Intra-Matic. The date window is roughly twice the size of the indices and is further enlarged by a printed frame, which I find disruptive to the dial’s balance and flow.

The unbroken circle of applied hour markers, save for the two half-displaced by the 30-minute totalizer at 3:00 and the small seconds at 9:00, is clean and sleek. Besides, if you’re measuring lap times down to a fourth of a second, who cares what day of the month it is?

Hamilton

The other visual addition by subtraction on Hamilton’s hand-cranker chronograph is the removal of the contrast tachymeter track. The dial is a continuous color or texture, with a concentric white seconds track and a white tachymeter track functioning like opposite sides of a measuring tape.

Removing the contrast rim is especially beneficial for the new brown and green fumé dials, as it allows the gorgeous fade to flow unbroken to the dial’s edge.

On the case

One common knock against Hamilton’s renowned retro chronographs is that the cases are bulky, even with the 40mm versions. While the 14.4mm case height does stick out on the wrist, especially with the domed sapphire crystal, it doesn’t wear clunky at all.

Hamilton

Long, sharply angled lugs create a snug fit for this stout tool watch, which hugs the wrist.

The cylindrical mid-case, sloped bezel and angled lugs adhere to the pragmatic design of 1960s racing watches because they were tools above all else — beautiful tools, but tools nonetheless.

Topped off with the piston pushers and a knurled crown, the automotive inspiration on Hamilton’s flagship chronograph is impossible to miss.

Hamilton

Panda dials are universally adored, but Hamilton’s most underrated chronograph — and my personal favorite — deserved a splash of color. All three new references adhere to the 1960s racing aesthetic that brands look for in the collection, while still feeling fresh and eye-catching.

Availability and price

Hamilton’s three colorful new Intra-Matic Chronograph H entries have one more benefit over the original panda models. While shoppers are forced to choose between a leather strap and a steel mesh bracelet on older models, Hamilton offers both with the new ones.

All three watches come on a perforated leather racing strap with a pin buckle and stitched ends. The blue dial has a brown strap, while the other two straps are color-matched to the dial. With all three, Hamilton’s customary Milanese steel mesh bracelet with a folding clasp comes complimentary in the box.

Hamilton’s new colors for the Intra-Matic Chronograph H are available now from Hamilton for $2,445. They are regular production additions to the American Classic collection that should be readily available.

Hamilton

Hamilton Intra-Matic Chronograph H

Specs

Case Size	40mm
Movement	Hamilton caliber H-51 hand-wound
Water Resistance	100m

• $2,445 at Hamilton

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