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Hamilton

American

In an era when the safety of America’s bustling railroads absolutely depended on accurate timepieces for its conductors, watchmaker Hamilton pioneered cutting-edge, impossibly precise watches in a complex that spanned one square city block of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, during the late 19th century.

As railroad tracks were laid across the United States and steam locomotives began traversing vast distances, the American railroad system ran into a problem. Back then, time was not standardized across the country. Therefore, in 1883, the railroad companies established the four time zones as we know them today. But, despite setting these zones, train conductors were not always synchronized, leading to deadly accidents on the railroads.

Enter watchmaker Hamilton, founded in 1892. Railway workers would be required to wear a pocket watch, as the timepieces were responsible for keeping conductors on schedule, and the watchmaking industry — and early American pocket-watch manufacturers such as Hamilton, Elgin National Watch Company and the Waltham Watch Company — benefitted.

Hamilton’s pocket watches were extremely alluring to train conductors, who began buying them en masse. The East Coast company’s timepieces eventually earned the moniker “The Watch of Railroad Accuracy.”

Hamilton transitioned from pocket watches to wristwatches in 1914, as it supplied timepieces to American troops fighting in World War I. Wristwatches, naturally, were more convenient to wear and use in battle. The new style of watch was also appealing to aviators, and Hamilton aeronautical watches became all the rage among pilots, specifically those flying for the new U.S. Airmail service.

The general public’s interest in Hamilton watches grew rapidly in the 1920s. Legendary polar explorer Admiral Richard E. Byrd timed his historic flights over glaciers and chunks of sea ice with a Hamilton pocket watch in the late 1920s, and a Hamilton timepiece used by Byrd during these expeditions went on display in 2018 at the National Watch & Clock Museum.

Hamilton’s Piping Rock watch, an Art Deco–inspired design that featured elegant Roman numerals set in black for the hour markers, made its debut in 1928 and was gifted to the New York Yankees to celebrate their World Series win that year. The model was also featured in the film Shanghai Express alongside the brand’s Flintridge watch, further expanding Hamilton’s popularity. (Hamilton watches can also be seen in the films The Frogmen, Blue Hawaii, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Men in Black.)

In the second half of the 20th century, Hamilton became well known for several innovations: It developed the first-ever battery-operated electric watch, the Ventura, in 1957, as well as the first-ever digital wristwatch, the Hamilton Pulsar Time Computer, in 1970. Three years later, superspy and watch enthusiast James Bond donned a Pulsar in Live and Let Die.

Today, the company is part of the Swatch Group, and its headquarters and production facilities relocated from Pennsylvania to Switzerland in 2003.

Find vintage Hamilton watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$1,629
Styles
Related Creators
Hamilton 14K Solid White Gold Art Deco Watch with Presentation Back from 1932
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference Andrews METAL / MATERIAL: 14K Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1932 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 23mm X Width 37mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 19 Jewels / Caliber 401 DIAL / HANDS: Sterling Silver with Luminous Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a rare model by the legendary American House of Hamilton, from Lancaster Pennsylvania. This watch was presented in 1932 to the winner of an amateur Skeet Shooting Contest in 1932 in Dayton Ohio. It is in excellent original condition and is still fitted with an original period strap and buckle, however the strap is too fragile to wear all the time so we put a new lizard strap on it and the original buckle. The dial is done in Sterling Silver with Kiln Fired Enamel Printing on it. Only the finest Swiss watches like Patek Philippe...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Hamilton

Materials

White Gold

Hamilton British Military W10-6645-99
By Hamilton
Located in London, GB
Watch: Hamilton British Military W10-6645-99 Stock Number: CHW5295 Price: £895.00 This Hamilton British Ministry of Defence wristwatch was produced for the RAF around 1975. Presente...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Hamilton

Materials

Steel

Hamilton British Military W10-6645-99
By Hamilton
Located in London, GB
Watch: Hamilton British Military W10-6645-99 Stock Number: CHW5313 Price: £895.00 This Hamilton British Ministry of Defence wristwatch was produced for the RAF around 1973. Presente...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Hamilton

Materials

Steel

Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tank Watch with Original Dial Early 40's
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: Early 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 35mm x Width 23mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 19 Jewels / Caliber 982 DIAL / HANDS: Original Sterling Silver Dial with 18Kt. Gold Applied Numerals / Gilt Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This classic Art Deco Style watch was produced by the iconic American house of Hamilton. It is in excellent original condition and very dependable. Hamilton was renowned for their navigational ships chronometers...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Hamilton

Hamilton Khakhi Automatic watch
By Hamilton
Located in Cape Town, ZA
Sturdy GENDER: Unisex MOVEMENT: Automatic CASE MATERIAL: Steel DIAL: 34mm DIAL COLOUR: Black STRAP: 42mm BRACELET MATERIAL: Leather CONDITION: 9/10 MODEL NUMBER: JSR ZGU 014 SERI...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hamilton

Hamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch, 21 jewels, Size 16
By Hamilton
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Hamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch, 21 jewels, Size 16 Hamilton gold filled pocket watch with hunting case. Grade 971, Size 16, 3/4 plate , 21 jewels, 5 ...
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Antique Hamilton

Materials

Gold-filled

Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tank Style with a Mid Century Design 1950's
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Morton / Art Deco Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 27mm X Width 36mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 22 Jewels / Caliber 770 DIAL / HANDS: Original Sterling Silver with 18Kt. Solid Gold Applied Numerals / Gilt Dauphine Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Black or Brown Leather, 19mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement This is a "vault find" watch, it has been locked up for nearly 50 years, which means it needs a service. We will give it a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker as part of the purchase price before it is shipped out to you. This will delay shipping for a few days of course. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This unique model by H This is a great looking and dependable watch by this legendary American House from Lancaster Pennsylvania. This watch is offered with what appears to be an original period strap and an original Hamilton buckle. While the strap is to fragile to be practical it does indicate that this watch is in nearly new condition. Hamilton was devoted to excellence from their most modest watch to their finest. For example, Hamilton Dials were made in all Sterling Silver with Solid Gold 18Kt. Applied Numerals. No American house did this on all their watches. Only the finest Swiss houses had this level of quality. This watch will keep dependable time for the next 200 years if you give it a service every so often. Hamilton History The wrong train, on the wrong track, at the wrong time at the end of the 19th century frequently resulted in disastrous train wrecks. In response to the critical need for accuracy on the nation’s railroads, laws were passed in 1891 establishing set standards of accuracy. All engineers and railroad workers were required to purchase and maintain their watches to keep accurate time based on set standards, about 30 seconds per week was the tolerance. This was the inspiration for The Hamilton Watch Company which was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The company was started by a group of investors who were looking to create a high-quality, American-made watch. Hamilton quickly became a leading manufacturer of pocket watches, and by the early 1900s, the company was supplying watches to the US military. In 1917, Hamilton introduced its first wristwatch for service men entering the first World War. The wristwatch quickly became popular with both soldiers and civilians recognizing how practical they were. Hamilton continued to grow throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and by the 1940s, the company was one of the largest watchmakers in the world. Hamilton had exceptional engineers and designers and their watches were elegantly styled as well as dependable. As a watchmaker myself I consider Hamilton to be one of the worlds “best” watches. It was mass produced perfection. Even today, you can take 100 old Hamilton’s of the same model apart and shake them up in a bag and reassemble 100 watches that will work perfectly with almost no adjustment. This is an achievement. In the early 1930’s our family store in Los Angeles was a “Hamilton” Store. Even during the depression though Hamilton did not allow you to discount the price to sell a watch. Also, in the neighborhood was another Hamilton store and one day the owner sent in a “shill” to buy a Hamilton from us, someone gave them a slight discount. Well, that was all it took for Hamilton to “pull the line” from us. In those days the local jewelry supply houses sold you the watches and they were all told not to sell to us. We simply contacted Gruen, and they were very excited to have a new account...
Category

1950s American Art Deco Vintage Hamilton

Materials

Gold-filled

Hamilton Gold-Filled Art Deco Watch with Articulating Lugs 1940's
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Articulated Case METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 51mm X Width 27mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber 72 DIAL / HANDS: Sterling Silver with 18Kt. Solid Gold Applied Numerals / Gilt Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This wonderful Art Deco watch was produced by the legendary American House of Hamilton, from Lancaster PA. The dial is done is Sterling Silver with Solid 18Kt. Gold Applied Numerals. Only the worlds finest Swiss Watches went to this extreme. We seldom see this model and this one is in exceptional condition. It is offered with an original Hamilton Buckle and with what we think was the original New, Old Stock Strap as well. The strap, while being new is to dried out to actually use. This watch can easily be worn every day and counted on to get you there on time, every time. Hamilton Watch Company History The wrong train, on the wrong track, at the wrong time at the end of the 19th century frequently resulted in disastrous train wrecks. In response to the critical need for accuracy on the nation’s railroads, laws were passed in 1891 establishing set standards of accuracy. All engineers and railroad workers were required to purchase and maintain their watches to keep accurate time based on set standards, about 30 seconds per week was the tolerance. This was the inspiration for The Hamilton Watch Company which was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The company was started by a group of investors who were looking to create a high-quality, American-made watch. Hamilton quickly became a leading manufacturer of pocket watches, and by the early 1900s, the company was supplying watches to the US military. In 1917, Hamilton introduced its first wristwatch for service men entering the first World War. The wristwatch quickly became popular with both soldiers and civilians recognizing how practical they were. Hamilton continued to grow throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and by the 1940s, the company was one of the largest watchmakers in the world. Hamilton had exceptional engineers and designers and their watches were elegantly styled as well as dependable. As a watchmaker myself I consider Hamilton to be one of the worlds “best” watches. It was mass produced perfection. Even today, you can take 100 old Hamilton’s of the same model apart and shake them up in a bag and reassemble 100 watches that will work perfectly with almost no adjustment. This is an achievement. In the early 1930’s our family store in Los Angeles was a “Hamilton” Store. Even during the depression though Hamilton did not allow you to discount the price to sell a watch. Also, in the neighborhood was another Hamilton store and one day the owner sent in a “shill” to buy a Hamilton from us, someone gave them a slight discount. Well, that was all it took for Hamilton to “pull the line” from us. In those days the local jewelry supply houses sold you the watches and they were all told not to sell to us...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Hamilton

Materials

Gold-filled

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Creators Similar to Hamilton

Hamilton jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Hamilton jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Hamilton jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Hamilton diamond jewelry & watches, from our inventory of 40, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 99 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewelry & watches by Elgin, Waltham, and Gruen. Prices for Hamilton jewelry & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $310 and tops out at $22,800, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $2,599.
Questions About Hamilton
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The Hamilton 992B Railroad Watch was first produced in November, 1940, nine years after design and research began. The 992B featured brand-new technologies and was made with gold, steel and gilt parts and the newly designed Elinvar Extra hairspring. The last Hamilton 992B was sold in 1969. Shop Hamilton 992B Railroad Watches from top sellers worldwide on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    George Romney is the artist who painted Lady Hamilton. He actually produced several Romantic portraits and drew many sketches of her, as he considered her to represent the ideal of feminine beauty. Later in his career, Romney produced a series of paintings inspired by the works of William Shakespeare. Shop a variety of George Romney art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
    Hamilton watches became Swiss in 2003 when the watchmaker moved from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Biel, Switzerland. While based in the U.S., the company produced watches for the winners of the 1928 World Series and was the official watch for the employees of four commercial airlines. Shop a variety of Hamilton watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    No, Hamilton is not widely considered a luxury watch brand. The revered Swiss manufacturer’s timepieces are known for their quality workmanship and high-end materials, but its watches typically retail at attainable price points compared to the likes of Cartier or Rolex. Shop a collection of Hamilton watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To open a Hamilton pocket watch, take it to a reputable watch repair shop. Experts advise against opening antique pocket watches on your own because special tools are necessary to avoid damaging the timepieces. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Hamilton pocket watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Hamilton's Railway Special pocket watch was launched in 1940 and remained in production for the next two decades. At the time, it was marketed as the most accurate railroad watch available. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary Hamilton timepieces from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

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