Why This Watch Matters Everyone loves a "panda dial" chronograph, right? Well this Hamilton has the horological significance to back up the look. The Full Story Sure, the Zenith El Primero was arguably the first automatic chronograph to market by mere months in 1969, but a group of brands under the moniker the "Chronomatic Consortium" was also hard at work on one of the first automatic chronograph movements in watchmaking. Through the culmination of four years work and the combined efforts of four separate brands – Hamilton, Heuer, Breitling, and Dubois-Depraz – the caliber 11 was born. On March 3, 1969, the consortium debuted its line of Chrono-Matic watches at simultaneous press conferences in Geneva and New York City. You can read the whole story here. For the spring of 1969, the caliber 11 found its way into numerous – and we mean a ton – of different cases under the Heuer and Breitling brands. For Hamilton, there were only three options: The funky Fontainebleau ref. 11001-3, the blue dial ref. 11002-3, and the panda dial ref. 11002-3 – like the one we have here. Where the Fontainebleau was a sort of geometric feat, the later two ref. 11002-3s dialed back the 1970s funk with more traditional round cases and classically angular lugs. There's some belief and scholarship that suggests these three chronographs were actually produced by Heuer for Hamilton as a continuation of the consortium partnership. In comparing the two ref. 11002-3s, the blue dial exudes cool elegance while the panda dial version is classically vintage styled and seen less often. There's just something about a panda dial that screams 1960s and 1970s – the golden era of the chronograph wristwatch. Hamilton's take in this Chrono-Matic brings in the history of its panda and reverse panda manual-winding chronographs from the '60s and applies that to a new decade and a new generation of horology: The generation of the automatic chronograph and the caliber 11. The panda dial Hamilton ref. 11002-3 is one of the best looking designs to utilize the famous movement, hands down. You can see why Hamilton went back to this design when making some of its modern creations. This particular example is in truly great condition with a certain vibrance to its dial and a strong stainless steel case. We paired the Chrono-Matic with our Reid Strap in Taupe. We've heard that this color is all the rage lately. The tone works well with the white and black of the dial and keeps the look quite classic with a slight bit of flair that a black leather strap just wouldn't offer. The Fine Print Maker: HamiltonModel: Chrono-MaticReference: 11002-3Year: Circa 1969Case No: 1652598Material: Stainless-steelDimensions: 36mm diameter; 13mm thicknessCrystal: PlexiglassLume: Yes, tritiumCaliber: Hamilton, self-winding, caliber 11Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE Reid Watch Strap In TaupeLug Width: 19mmBox/Papers: No What We Love And What You Should Know Things We Love: - Panda dial- Caliber 11 movement- Strong overall condition Things To Know: - Light scratches on case This Hamilton is in overall great condition. The case is strong with some light scratches. The writing on the caseback is clearly visible. There are some light scratches on the caseback, particularly around the edge from being opened. The dial is clean with light patina; the hands have developed light patina in general. The lume on the dial has developed patina and aged nicely. The lume on the hands has aged close to a matching color to that of the dial. The black tachymeter scale around the edge of the dial has developed patina and is more of a dark grey color. In some lights, the dial can appear more off-white and cream colored, specifically toward the bottom. The dial, case, crown, and movement are signed by Hamilton. The crystal has light scratches. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
Related
Related
Related
Related