Loading...Courtesy of the German PR ladies at Swatch Group and with special thanks to Nina, I am able to show you the first live pictures of the upcoming Hamilton Intramatic 68 Chronograph. This watch is based on a vintage Chronograph from the late 1960s (therefore it has the number 68 in the name). Back in 1968, Hamilton, watchmaker with American roots, made two models, one with a Panda dial and one with a reverse Panda dial like the new model now.
While the original vintage timepiece with the number 7723 was only 36mm in size and was powered by a handwound Valjoux 7730 movement, the modern interpretation is housed in a 42mm case with an automatic winding ETA base movement (the movement is based on a 7753 and is called the E31).
Being originally an American watchmaker, Hamilton now resides in Biel, Switzerland. Biel is a town which is virtually divided in two language speaking areas, one which is German speaking and the other French speaking. As you take the drive towards the Jura mountains, you get close to where stores and signs are written in French. Most people speak both languages though.
Since I have the watch here for nearly a week, I will take a close look at it and try to let you, my readers, truly know what I think and what I find out.
Let’s talk about functionality for now.
I see that the watch has a screw in crown which allows you to take it into the shower or swimming or diving up to 100 meters or about 300 feet. Not bad for a chronograph. And quite unexpected.
The date is apparently quick set with an inner button at 10 o’clock. You will need a toothpick or something like that to push it. It works well and smoothly.
The case is 42mm, lug to lug measures about 48mm. Lug width is 22mm. The height is about is a bit lower than what you usually see. Did not measure it yet.
The dial is what amazes me. Reverse Panda dial, a dream for many watchcollectors, black dial with white totalisors. The totalisors are sunken in with the typical circles inside.
The watch is complimented with a racing style leather strap. The strap is very sturdy and hard and does not bend well around your wrist. My assumption is that you need to wear it for a while to make it softer. Or switch to another solution. I view straps as a replacement part and not a piece that makes me decide if I take a watch or not. It does not distract from the beauty of this timepiece.
The caseback is nicely adorned, something unexpected.
As you can see, this watch has the limitation written on the back: HHHH/1968. So this watch is a limited edition of 1968 pieces. As this is just the prototype, it does not carry a number.
My overall impression is that this is a lot of watch for the money. Everybody I showed this watch to was quite impressed and liked it right away. This is a very retro style, inspired by a vintage chronograph that looks very similar. When you look at some vintage Heuers or other brands, they had cases and styles that are reminiscent.
Hamilton is part of Swatch Group and therefore resides in Biel, Switzerland. It originally was an American company.
Listprice for Germany is 1995 Euros, and in Switzerland 2150 CHF. The watch is planned to come to market in June 2017. It will be presented next week at Baselworld.
Well, don’t most of us crave wristshots? It is a cool watch to wear, although I would switch the strap. What I have seen sofar, this watch could be the biggest hit of Baselworld 2017. Or one of them. The design is absolutely eye pleasing, the size and style is just perfect to wear it and enjoy it.
Details:
Casesize: 42mm
Movement: ETA 7753 base E31 automatic winding
lugwidth: 22mm
lug to lug: 48mm
powerreserve: unknown at this point
Price: 2150 CHF
