Hamilton Watch Company
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The Hamilton Watch Company is a manufacturer of pocketwatches and automatic wristwatches. Hamilton was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1892 by the purchase of the Lancaster Watch Company.
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[edit] Early history
Its first series of pocketwatches, the Broadway Limited, was known as the "Watch of Railroad Accuracy," and Hamilton became popular by making accurate railroad watches. Hamilton introduced its first wristwatch in 1917. This watch was designed to appeal to men entering World War I and contained the 0-sized 17-jewel 983 movement originally designed for women's pendent watches. The introduction of the 0-sized wristwatch was the start of a line of wristwatches that included some of the finest American wristwatches made. In 1928 Hamilton purchased the Illinois Watch Company. Some of the most collectable early Hamilton wristwatches include: The Oval, The Tonneau, The Rectangular, The Square Enamel, The Coronado, The Piping Rock, The Spur, The Glendale, The Pinehurst, The Langley, The Byrd, The Cambridge, and The Flintridge. Many models came in solid gold and gold filled cases.
[edit] Modern day
During World War II, consumer production of watches was stopped, with all watches manufactured being shipped to troops, and more than one-million watches were sent overseas. In 1957, Hamilton introduced the world's first battery-powered watch, and on May 6, 1970, the world's first digital watch.
The original factory closed in 1969. The Hamilton brand is currently owned by The Swatch Group Ltd.. Since then, Hamilton has grown increasingly popular, with several of its watches being featured in movies like Blue Hawaii (Ventura model), Men in Black, Lethal Weapon, Into the Blue, Fantasic Four, The Pink Panther, The Producers.
[edit] Sponsorships
Hamilton currently sponsors Red Bull Air Race World Series pilot Nicolas Ivanoff. His Extra 300S is painted with a distinctive orange background.
[edit] References
- Hamilton Watch Co. - America's Finest Watch by Will Roseman - Comprehensive Early Hamilton Reference Guide
- American Pocket Watches Identification and Price Guide Beginning to End ... 1830 - 1999 by Roy Ehrhardt and William "Bill" Meggers
- The Watch of the Future by René Rondeau
- Hamilton Wristwatches, a Collector's Guide by René Rondeau
