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Hamilton Chrono-Matic (Ref. 11002-3) 'Cal. 11' Panda Dial, 1969 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Hamilton Chrono-Matic (Ref. 11002-3) 'Cal. 11' Panda Dial, 1969

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Hamilton (maker)
Date
1969
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
HTNCM110023-6
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (HTNCM110023-6)
Catalogue title (original)
1969 Hamilton Chrono-Matic (Ref. 11002-3) 'Cal. 11' Panda Dial (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number HTNCM110023-6), this is a wristwatch by Hamilton, made in Switzerland, dated 1969. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

The Caliber 11 is one of the very first automatic chronograph movements ever produced. During the 1960s, many major watch brands were competing to reach this milestone first, and rivalries were high between Seiko, Zenith, and the Buren group, which was composed of Breitling, Heuer, and Hamilton. The Buren Group’s race to the automatic chronograph is said to have been secretly named ‘Project 99’, and once completed, the involved brands powered many of their various chronograph models with this highly innovative and groundbreaking movement. Cue the beloved and truly fantastic Hamilton Chrono-Matic. In addition to being one of Hamilton’s most famous and best-looking chronograph models of all time, the Chrono-Matic ref. 11002-3 also holds the distinction of being one of the world’s very first automatic chronograph watches, as it debuted in 1969 - the very same year that the first self-winding chronograph movements were making their inaugural appearances. Featuring a two-register layout, a date display at 6 o’clock, and an integrated micro-rotor design, the Cal. 11 represented a major step forward for the world of chronographs and the Hamilton Chrono-Matic ref. 11002-3 is easily one of the most important models from the brand’s archives. SPECS Stock # HTNCM110023-6 Brand Hamilton Style Chrono-Matic Model 11002-3 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial White "Panda" Millimeters 37 Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The excellent case retains crisp lines with thick, symmetrical lugs and light signs of honest use present. The watch retains its original Hamilton-signed crown and pump pushers. The case back retains all of its factory markings in fully present and original condition. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The panda, matte white dial with black sub-dials, is exceptionally well preserved with no damage or notable age. The tritium lume plots have taken on an eggshell patina, with no notable degradation present. The tritium lume in the hour and minute hands matches the dial perfectly and displays no degradation. The black center chronograph hand completes the contrast-heavy dial design. ACCESSORIES

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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