Hamilton Chrono-Matic Auto Chrono Limited Edition 50mm

Hamilton Chrono-Matic Auto Chrono Limited Edition 50 mm H51616731 The newest model in the American Classic range, Hamilton doesn’t go for the easiest watch, since the original Count-down GMT was a complex watch, with complex case/dial/movement, which is why the new Chrono-Matic 50 Auto Chrono isn’t 100% legit but pays tribute to the whole concept. The original Hamilton Chrono-Matic features no fewer than 5 pushers/crowns, in 3 different colours. This has been retained in the new watch, but differently placed. As the original model came with the Chrono-Matic, the chronograph pushers were on the left side and the crown on the right side. The modern Chrono-Matic 50 Auto Chrono is equipped with an equally modern chronograph movement, meaning that crown and pushers are on the right side. On the left, we find a second crown (for the countdown bezel) and a pusher for the quick date. While the positions are different, the colours are the same (silver, red, black). Case: 48,5mm diameter x 51,50mm lug-to-lug - stainless steel, helmet-shaped case, brushed - sapphire crystal, box-shaped - water-resistant to 100m Dial: reversed-Panda dial with applied indexes and hands with Super-LumiNova - rotating inner bezel with count-down ring. Movement: Hamilton Calibre H-31 (base Valjoux 7753, optimized) - automatic integrated chronograph - 30mm - 27 jewels - 28,800vph - 60h power reserve - hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph with 30-minute chronograph, date. Strap: 22mm - black perforated calf leather with red background - steel pin buckle The case of the Hamilton Chrono-Matic 50 Auto Chrono retains the original shape – a helmet-shaped case, typical of the early-1970s production, with integrated lugs and egg-like shape. So are the proportions, as once again, this watch is massive, with 48.5mm from 3 to 9 o’clock and 51.50mm lug-to-lug – faithful to the original dimensions though. The case features a period-relevant finishing and is radially brushed all over. The same idea applies to the dial of the Hamilton Chrono-Matic 50 Auto Chrono: visually faithful, with slight evolutions too. The watch retains a reversed-panda style with multiple red accents and large applied hour markers. The dial is complex and displays a lot of information: two sub-dials display the small seconds and the 30-minute counters. The date is shown at 6 o’clock in a round window with a polished bevel (as the original). Then there are the peripheral tracks. Here, we find most of the differences, with a rotating countdown bezel (actuated by the crown) and a tachymeter scale – instead of 24h and city rings. All of these differences can be explained by the presence of a modern movement, the calibre H-31, which doesn’t feature a GMT complication and has its pushers and crown on the same side – being based on the Valjoux 7753 architecture. It shows multiple improvements on the Valjoux though, including an extended power reserve of 60 hours.