Hamilton Intra Matic is Hamilton’s classic line of watch, designed by taking the cues of the American brand’s vintage dress watch models. They are really popular in the 1960s for quality watches that rivaled even the Swiss. Just like the Hamilton Khaki King this watch is a homage to their American heritage, specifically their vintage dress watches.
Side by side comparison of the Hamilton Vintage (top pic) and the new Hamilton Intra Matic (bottom pic). Timeless beauty is the word here. The design works in the 1960s, and it still looks gorgeous in this time and age.
Hamilton Intra Matic Specification
Diameter: 38 mm or 42 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Lug to lug width: 48 mm
Lug width: 20 mm
Weight: 50 grams
Case: Polished stainless steel
Dial: Black dial
Dial Window: Sapphire Crystal with dome shape
Band: 20 mm width multi-link polished stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp.
Water Resistance: 50m / 164 ft
Movement: Swiss ETA 2892A2
Movement Features: 21 Jewels, 42 hours power reserve, +-20 seconds maximum daily variation (average of +-5 seconds per day)
Other Features: Crown at 3 o’clock, exhibition caseback, decorated movement, date display at 6 o’clock, Swiss Made
Best Place To Buy: Amazon.com
5 different designs were produced. Each of them is offered in 2 sizes : 38 mm and 42 mm case diameter
Hamilton produced 10 different Intra Matic models (shown above or you can view it all at Hamilton’s website here).
The models are similar, but with different combinations of dial color (black or silver), band type (stainless steel multi-link bracelet or leather band), casing diameter (38 mm or 42 mm) and casing color (polished stainless steel or gold coated stainless steel).
Everything else (dial design, the venerable ETA 2892A2 movement) is the same for all the models. The watch I’m reviewing in this article is the 38 mm diameter, black dial with bracelet version (because this is the one I fancy the most =) and it’s serial number is H38455131.
But as I said earlier, the other watches are basically the same with this one and this review should be able to cover all of them.
Hamilton American Classic Watches – Gorgeous Slim Profile
American Classic is the other name of the Intra Matic line and I explains itself. The watches are designed as a tribute to the vintage Hamilton dress watches. The dial with the stick markers and slim hands are reminiscent of their old watches.
Even the Hamilton signature and logo is the same as their vintage ones. This is a vintage Hamilton watch out the outside, but with modern parts and manufacturing processes to give you the best of both worlds.
The watch is produced in 2 diameter, 38 mm and 42 mm. I would definitely take the 38 mm as my wrist is quite small but for those that have a bigger wrist, you can always get the bigger version, albeit at a higher price than the 38 mm.
The one thing I really like about this watch is the slim profile, at 9.5 mm thick thanks to its slim ETA 2892A2 movement (more on that later).
Coupled with the overall slim case design, and the dome shaped dial window, the watch is very sleek and looks as elegant as what you would want from a dress watch. At just 50 gram, this could be the lightest watch you ever use.
The dial is black in color, and has stick markers. A date display is located at 6 o’clock, a very refreshing and unique design as it is very different than today’s common date at 3 o’clock design.
The Hamilton signature and logo is located at the center top of the watch and featuring Hamilton’s old logo and signature. The dial window is made from sapphire crystal and shaped to be like a dome.
The polished stainless steel case is also designed to be curvy at the edges, creating a round shape all over the watch which is very beautiful to look at.
Beautiful Multi-Link Bracelet
The bracelet of the Hamilton Intra Matic is a true art in itself. The bracelet is constructed from multi links instead of the traditional one piece link in many bracelets.
The multi link bracelet’s polished stainless steel create a beautiful and reflective effect, catching lights from different angles. It’s just truly amazing to look at and beautifully complement the handsome watch.
The clasp is butterfly clasp with push button, same as the Tissot PRS 516. Because of this, it would be quite hard to adjust the bracelet perfectly to your hand because of the absence of adjustment slots in the clasp.
But if you are not a bracelet type guy, there is also models of the Hamilton Intra Matic with leather bands that looks as stunning.
Swiss ETA 2892A2 Movement – High Quality Movement In A Middle Range Watch
Inside the Hamilton Intra Matic automatic watch, is the Swiss ETA Caliber 2892A2 movement. If you noticed, the movement is different than other typical Swatch Group low-middle range watches that uses ETA 2824-2 and 2834-2 (day and date) movement family (such as the Tissot Le Locle and Hamilton Khaki King).
The ETA 2892A2 is an improved version of the 2824-2, in which it has a slimmer profile, smaller diameter to be able to fit with lots of watches, newer technology and more accurate.
The result: a higher quality movement that is said to be on par with Rolex’s own movement and typically equipped in higher end brands such as Breitling and IWC.
And that is what makes the Hamilton Intra Matic a true bargain for automatic watch lovers. The 2892A2 in a middle range watch is just unthinkable of.
The slim profile of this movement is what enabled the watch to get its slim profile. One thing that I really don’t like is the absence of seconds hand (you would need some time to notice it from the photos and videos).
Hamilton opted not to put any seconds hand in this watch, which is not a really good decision. For me, a seconds hand is what will give automatic watches its characteristic sweeping motion. Not to mention you cannot set the watch to the exact time if there is no seconds hand.
It is truly a foresight by Hamilton in this part. I really hope they reconsider this and re-release another Intra Matic model with seconds hand =)
The watch also has an exhibition caseback – a standard of some sort for dress watches. Through the caseback, you can see the back of the ETA 2892A2 movement.
It has been decorated beautifully. The rotor got Hamilton signature engraved on it, and is very well executed. The watch also is rated to have 50 m or 164 feet water resistance for your peace of mind.
Conclusion
Hamilton Intra Matic is a very beautiful dress watch, with timeless dial design that is just classy and elegance to wear and look at.
The slim profile, dome sapphire crystal dial window and the case’s curvature all make the watch slimmer than it is and looks sleek. Inside the watch is the venerable Swiss ETA 2892A2, ETA’s higher range of movement.
The multi link bracelet is so amazing and really goes well with the watch. This is definitely a catch for a watch below $600.
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This is my favorite watch in my collection. You will not miss the sweep hand. I have another dress watch that doesn’t have a sweep hand either. This watch is an elegant work of art, I highly recommend this watch with stainless bracelet.
Hi Mike. Glad to know that you love your watch. Yes, the Intra Matic looks very sleek and elegant, but I really prefer a sweeping second hand on automatic watches. It’s just that I feel it’s a huge loss for an automatic watch to not has a second hand.
But then again that’s just me. To each his own, right buddy? =)
Cheers!
Gorgeous watches, and I am sure that my husband would love one of these.
I love the simple design and the way the date is displayed just above the bottom number six. These watches are really elegant looking. Do you get any sports model types in the Hamilton brand?
Just another question though, what does ‘automatic’ mean when referring to the watch.
Hi Michel! Yes indeed the Hamilton Intra Matic is a gorgeous watch to look at and wear too.
The date display is another unique factor in this watch. The slim profile, simple dial display and polished look really build up the elegance in it.
Hamilton produces some sports model that you can look at here (for the Khaki field collection – more to military style watches) and here (Hamilton’s Aviation line. They got some cool watches with chronographs if you are looking to have a stop watch function). On this site, I’ve only covered a Hamilton Khaki King Automatic.
“Automatic Watch” refers to the watch ability to recharge its energy by hand movement while wearing it. The energy is stored as potential energy by the watch’s mainspring. “Manual Watch” on the other hand can’t be recharge by hand movement and we need to rotate the crown to “manually” wind the mainspring. “Quartz Watch” uses battery for its energy source. You can read my article on “What Is Automatic Watch” for more info of the types of watches.
Cheers!