Classic Hamilton Platinum Diamond Watch, circa 1930s 1.55 Carat
About the Item
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Weight:25.9 g
- Case Shape:Round
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1930's
- Condition:Keeping Perfect Time.
- Seller Location:Wailea, HI
- Reference Number:
Hamilton
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 and pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Wailea, HI
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Important Diamond Hamilton Watch, circa 1950sLocated in Wailea, HIImportant Diamond Hamilton Watch Circa 1950's Way Ahead of The Broadway Musical This Diamond Watch Will Destroy The Competition With Their M...Category
Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Platinum Diamond Bracelet, circa 1930sLocated in Wailea, HIStep back in time with our Lady’s Platinum Diamond Circa 1940's Bracelet, a true testament to the glamour and sophistication of the Art Deco era. Crafted with exquisite attention to...Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Link Bracelets
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Platinum
- Art Deco 1930s Platinum Diamond Ring with Green Stones .55 CaratLocated in Wailea, HIArt Deco 1920's Platinum Diamond Ring with Green Stones .55 carats One Round Brilliant Cut Diamond weighing .25 carats approximately [GH VVS-VS...Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco More Rings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Platinum
- Diamond Elgin Watch, circa 1940s in PlatinumLocated in Wailea, HIDiamond Elgin Watch Circa 1940's in Platinum From Nat to Eva to You Engraved on the back "Nat to Eva 1942" 4..15 carats in diamonds 1 year guarantee just like a new watch. A classic...Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Ruby and Diamond Earrings circa 1930s in PlatinumLocated in Wailea, HIRuby and Diamond Earrings Circa 1930's in Platinum Two Oval Rubies weighing 2.00 carats approximately [bright with no imperfections visible to the naked eye] Forty Eight Round Cut D...Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Stud Earrings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
- Art Deco Platinum Diamond Brooch, circa 1930sLocated in Wailea, HIArt Deco Platinum Diamond Brooch Circa 1930's Purchased From a Renowned Hollywood and Broadway Actors Family One Round Brilliant Cut...Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond
- Hamilton Ladies White Gold Diamond Bracelet Watch, Circa 1930sBy HamiltonLocated in Palm Desert, CAVintage Art Deco Hamilton Ladies White Gold Diamond Bracelet Watch. The rounded rectangle-faced dial with framed in round diam...Category
Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
- Omega Platinum Diamond Articulated Art Deco Dress Watch, circa 1930sBy OmegaLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Articulated Case METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum and Diamond DIMENSIONS: Length 59mm X Width 14mm CIRCA: 1930's MOVEME...Category
Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsPlatinum
- C.D. Peacock Art Deco Platinum Diamond Ladies Dress Watch, circa 1930sLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: C D. Peacock STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Evening Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum CIRCA / YEAR: 1930s DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm x Diameter 45mm MOVEMENT / CAL...Category
Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Shreve & Co. Ladies Platinum Art Deco Diamond Watch, circa 1930sLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen for Shreve and Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum / Metal Cord Bracelet DIMENSIONS: Leng...Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
- Fine Art Deco Hamilton 4.8 Carat Diamond Platinum Dress WatchBy HamiltonLocated in New York, NYElegant Art Deco period Hamilton platinum, 4.8 TCW diamond dress watch with a wide double row platinum and diamond bracelet band, high style X-form diamond details and substantial baguette and round cut diamond accents. For nearly a century, Hamilton watches have been associated with the glamour of Hollywood. In 1932, the inimitable Marlene Deitrich was the first to wear a Hamilton watch on-screen in the film Shanghai Express. Elvis Presley wore the iconic Hamilton Ventura...Category
20th Century American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Birks of Canada Platinum Diamond Emerald Art Deco Ladies Watch, circa 1930sBy BirksLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Birks of Canada STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Diamond Emerald METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length ...Category
Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Platinum