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The Hamilton Intra-Matic, and the 38mm version specifically, is an underrated watch in Hamilton’s collection. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty close. The date window and lack of a seconds hand might be a deal breaker for many, and it was an initial concern of mine as well. I can say with confidence now, however, that my time with the watch changed my mind on these potential sticking points.
The Hamilton Intra-Matic: A Reissue Done Right
For a dress watch, the 38mm version of the Intra-Matic is perfect. If you’re concerned that 38mm is too small – don’t be. It’s all dial and wears closer to 40mm. The case thickness comes in at 10mm on paper, but part of that is the domed sapphire crystal. On wrist, this watch wears more like a 7mm or 6mm thick watch in my opinion. In other words, we’re talking ultra-thin status here, and for a really great price.
You’re also getting a better-than-usual movement at this price, the ETA 2892-A2. It’s a great movement, and also part of the reason the watch is so thin. If Hamilton decided to downgrade to an ETA 2824, I don’t think the case would have been so slender.
In pictures, the black strap might look boring. In real life, it’s surprisingly fitting for the watch. Like the rest of the Intra-Matic, attention to detail is really good here, and Hamilton decided to utilize curved spring bars – a classy added touch. This allows the strap to contour to the case, and it’s another feature that adds to the argument that this watch is one of the most compelling value propositions on the market.
The sunburst silver dial is domed and shifts color depending on light. I’m in love with this dial, to be honest; but it’s not perfect. The one thing about the watch I’d change is the font. Do we really need “AUTOMATIC” and “intra-matic” on the same dial?
A Beautifully Finished Dial, With Some Minor Flaws
Check this article out, it even has a picture of the original Hamilton Intra-Matic watch side-by-side with the modern reissue version.
On the original 1960s version, there’s no “Automatic” on the dial, and I think it looks a lot cleaner. The modern watch is also larger, of course (the OG is 34mm in case size I believe). The OG version also has a really cool Hamilton Caliber 92 (based on the Buren 1282 micro-rotor movement).
Hamilton purchased Buren in 1966. Buren originally filed a patent for its micro-rotor movement in 1954, an industry first. This innovation, which allowed the rotor to be integrated at the same level with the rest of the movement, allowed for very thin automatic watches. It wasn’t until 1957 that its first micro-rotor movement went into production, but through a series of refinements, the “Intramatic” movement was born. This was the base movement that would inevitably be modified into one of the first automatic chronographs.
Removing the date window would have been ideal as well, but I don’t see it as a huge negative. At least it’s at 6:00, so the symmetry of the dial remains intact. It was also on the original watch, so it’s not a deal-breaker for me.
Next I’ll tackle another issue with the watch – the lack of a seconds hand. I thought that I’d miss that smooth, soothing sweep that the seconds hand of an automatic watch provides. Turns out I was wrong. I found the lack of a seconds hand almost liberating. It forced me to stop being neurotic about how many seconds a day my watch was gaining or losing.
I think dropping the date, paired with the lack of a seconds hand, would have made this an ideal dress watch. I don’t mind the date window either, though, because it “dresses down” the watch – making it more versatile.
If It’s So Great, Why’d You Flip It?
The only real reason I sold this watch is because I found a great deal on a Seiko SARB065 “Cocktail Time” and I only really need one dress watch in my collection. I also try to stick to a self-imposed “one watch per brand” rule, and I recently acquired a Hamilton Khaki Field, which I wear quite a bit.
The Internet has been great for the watch community as a whole I think. It allows way more people to connect and talk about watches. At the same time, I think it does a disservice to watches like the Hamilton Intra-Matic. Funnily enough, I never would’ve bought this watch in the first place if it hadn’t randomly caught my eye at a local Macy’s inside the mall.
I already knew about the watch, but online, it looked boring. 38mm? Too small. I dismissed it right away when I saw it mentioned on a watch forum. When I saw the beautiful domed silver sunburst dial in person, though, it was a paradigm shift. This is one of those watches that is done a disservice by the advent of online shopping and information gathering.
You have to really see this one in person and feel the quality and thinness of the case to appreciate how truly awesome the whole package is. I’ll admit, I have an addiction to watches (at least I’m admitting it, right?), so I may actually end up with another Intra-Matic at some point – because it’s such a great watch. I’ve bought and sold the Intra-Matic twice now, actually. I already kind of miss it.