Hamilton
The Hamilton Watch Company was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1892. Hamilton produced its first watch in 1893, designed by H.J. Cain, one of the company's founding members. Initially manufactured to provide the country's railroads with reliable timing devices, the Hamilton railroad pocket watch was adopted as the official watch of the American Expeditionary Forces worldwide.
61247 - Hamilton Pocket Watch
A wrist watch version of the railroad watch was issued to General Pershing and his dough boys (US infantrymen) in WWI, accompanied Admiral Byrd on his expeditions to the North and South Poles. In 1930 Hamilton became the official timepiece of the the new commercial airlines, including companies TWA, Eastern, United and Northwest. Hamilton watches served the Picards well on their first balloon ascent into the stratosphere, and one was on the wrist of Jim Whittaker, the first American to scale Mount Everest.
Hamilton stopped production of consumer watches for consumers in 1940 with the beginning of WWII and created new timepieces exclusively for military use. Close to one million Hamilton military watches were produced and sent overseas.
Hamilton Army Watch
With the return of consumer manufacturing, Hamilton's leadership in engineering and innovation created a significant breakthrough in timekeeping.
61177 - Retro Hamilton Gold Platinum Diamond Ruby Watch
In 1957, Hamilton introduced the first electric watch- The Ventura, which become an instant success. It was available in a variety of non-traditional case styles. Inspired by the sleek lines of the Cadillac tail fins of the 50's, the Ventura become the watch of choice for the icons of American style. Elvis Presley wore a Ventura in his 1961 movie, "Blue Hawaii", and was also on the wrists of Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, when costarring in "Men in Black".
60839 - Circa 1958 Hamilton Gold Gents Watch
Indeed, for almost 90 years, Hamilton has been known as the Movie Brand, owing to their close association with Hollywood. Hamilton watches have appeared in over 450 major feature films, including recent box office hits "Interstellar" and "The Martian". Hamilton is a frequent choice among production designers. The Hamilton "Behind the Camera" Awards began in 2006 and honor the heroes behind the scenes of major movies.
61195 - Platinum Diamond Hamilton Watch
Since 1974, Hamilton has been a part of the Swatch Group in Biel, Switzerland.
60976 - Circa 1955 Platinum Diamond Hamilton Covered Watch
Hamilton watches now have the prestigious Swiss made label, but Hamilton is still American at heart, just as it was when it was first established in Pennsylvania in 1892.
61183 - Hamilton Platinum Diamond Watch Circa 1960s
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