Hamilton Intra-Matic Mechanical Chrono

Old school hand-winding? Hamilton can help you out there buddy, with their new Intra-Matic chronograph, which features no automatic rotor. The new H series edition retails at just under CHF2000, which is about £1500, making this an expensive retro styled watch. Not as expensive as the automatic version though, so that’s a bonus. You get much the same American Classic styling; we love the vintage pushers and the big winding crown, and the dial choices of black or white really offer a homage to the 60s/70s.

But there are plenty of other Valjoux 7750 or ETA powered retro chrono models out there below a grand. Fact is, the Hamilton name does not add a great deal in terms of resale value – just wander into any UK pawnbroker with a Khaki and see what you get offered for it. Shocking. So you could buy this watch and lose half the retail value the moment you walk out of the door – the same cannot be said about a Rolex Oyster, Breitling Superocean or Tudor Black Bay in all fairness. But they all cost serious cash…

This latest Hamilton has an impressive 60 hour power reserve, a nice Milanese bracelet option rather than a leather strap and it’s Swiss made, which counts for something in terms of prestige. But the H31 movement inside is based on the Valjoux 7753, which is an old design. Nothing wrong with that of course, but for two grand maybe a pre-owned Tudor, Omega or Breitling is a better bet in the long run when it comes to retained value? Just saying.

 

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