The New All-Black Versions of the Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono (Incl. Video)

The Intra-Matic’s origins are rooted in Project 99, developed with Büren, Heuer, Breitling and movement specialist Dubois-Depraz. The result of this joint effort was presented in 1969 with one of the first automatic chronograph movements called Chrono-Matic, or Calibre 11, depending on the brand using it. Alongside, Hamilton presented in the late 1960s the Chronograph A and B models, and by mixing both, you ended up in 2017 with the Intra-Matic 68 Chronograph. Since then, we’ve seen several editions under the name Intra-Matic Auto Chrono and today, Hamilton launches a new sub-collection of stealthy black-coated models with bright coloured accents.

If you look closely at early Hamilton models under the original Chrono-Matic name, you can trace the lineage of that one all the way to this stealthy new trio. A bicompax dial layout, a date window in the bottom, and a set of pushers on the right-hand side of the case. Interestingly, the original movement put the crown on the left side, but it has since moved over to join the start/stop/reset pushers. 

This new series of Intra-Matic Auto Chronos comes in a 40mm wide by 14.45mm tall stainless steel case with a stealthy black PVD coating. People often say black is slimming, and it seems to work for watches too, especially if you combine a black exterior with a black interior! But I’m getting ahead of myself here. The case is shaped in the style of early Chrono-Matic models, as well as all the recent versions of this collection, with angled and faceted lugs, a sloping bezel and straight vertical sides. The right side of the case is reserved for the crown and pushers, with a recessed date corrector to be found on the left side. On top, there’s a slightly curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and around the back, a solid screw-down steel cover for the movement, in black. Water-resistance is rated to 100m, which is more than enough for your day-to-day activities, and then some.

I already hinted at the design of the dial, and by now you’ve also seen it’s… black! The only hint of colour comes from the tachymeter scale and central chronograph hand, which are finished in white, orange or yellow. The applied indices are blackened and have luminous blocks to help night-time visibility. With the central hour & minute hands being finished with Super-LumiNova as well. The recessed subdials have a snailed pattern for an added touch of refinement, and the date window at 6 o’clock is both bevelled and outlined.

Beating away underneath the caseback – embossed with a pattern of Hamilton’s H-logo – is the brand’s Calibre H-31. To be clear, this movement is not related to the 1969 Chrono-Matic or Calibre 11 but is based on the ETA Valjoux 7753. It benefits from a reworked geartrain and a Nivachron balance spring and delivers a solid 60 hours of power reserve. It would have been nice to see the movement, but in such a stealthy watch it sort of makes sense to stick with the theme with a black caseback.

For this trio, Hamilton has also opted for racing-style, black perforated leather straps with a blackened pin buckle. With the orange and yellow models, you get a matching underlining for the perforated areas in the strap, a nice finishing touch. In my experience, the Intra-Matic has always been one of Hamilton’s best-looking chronographs. It relies on the style of the 1960s and 1970s and while it doesn’t capture that same mechanical importance, it’s a reliable, legible and comfortable watch.

The three new black PVD-coated versions of the Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono are part of the permanent collection and are priced at EUR 2,595, CHF 2,295 or USD 2,295 – quite fair if you compare it to direct competitors.

For more details, make sure to check the video at the top of this article and consult hamiltonwatch.com.