Hamilton watches
by David Barth
written March 29, 2003
Hamilton
Founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Hamilton watches have come to represent a variety of uniquely American values - rugged individualism, functional style,
initiative, boldness, steadfastness.
Initially, Hamilton manufactured accurate railroad pocket watches and was selected as the official watch of the American Expeditionary Forces, worldwide.
The Hamilton railroad pocket watch was adopted as the official watch of the
American Expeditionary Forces worldwide. A wrist watch version of the railroad watch was issued to General Pershing and his doughboys in WWI and accompanied
Admiral Byrd on his expeditions to the North and South Poles. It served the Picards well on their first balloon ascent into the stratosphere, and was on the wrist of the
first American to scale Mount Everest.
In the period between the wars, Hamilton stylishly re-designed the conventional watch case going beyond traditional round shapes and introducing dramatic lines
featuring asymmetrical, square, and triangular cases. Aside from the classic designs of the era such as the Ardmore, Benton, Boutlon, Cabot, Contour and Wilshire
models, now faithfully re-created in Hamilton s American Classics collection, the company also became known for producing fashionable, decorative timepieces for
women.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Hamilton introduced asymmetrical, square, and triangular cases. Designs of the era include the Ardmore, Benton, Boutlon, Cabot, Contour
and Wilshire models, now recreated in Hamilton's American Classics collection. The company also manufactures watches for women.
Hamilton developed a temperature-compensating hairspring alloy which resulted in much improved timekeeping accuracy. In 1957 Hamilton introduced the world's
first electric wrist watch, powered by a small battery. In 1972 the company developed Pulsar, the world's first electronic watch.
In 1974 Hamilton was bought by the Swiss consortium, SSIH, which was later named "SMH." The Pulsar division was sold to the Japanese company,
Seiko.
Other notable Hamilton innovations which forever altered watch technology included: the development of a revolutionary temperature-compensating hairspring alloy
which resulted in much improved timekeeping accuracy; the introduction of the world's first electric wrist watch powered by a small battery; and the introduction of
Pulsar, the world s first electronic watch.
Today, Hamilton's primary collections include the American Classics collection (mentioned above) and the Khaki collection, updated versions of the legendary military
timepieces of yesteryear. These durable sport watches for both men and women include models designed to withstand the pressures of deep-sea dives, the hazards of
mountain climbing, and provide reliable, precise performance under extreme conditions. Since 1974, this medium value watch line is now manufactured by the Swatch
Group.
Today, Hamilton's lines include the American Classics collection and the Khaki collection updated versions of the legendary military timepieces of
yesteryear.
Watch models:
Ardmore
Benton
Boutlon
Cabot
Contour
Wilshire
American Classics
Khaki
Highlights:
1892 company was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
1957 world's first electric wrist watch.
1972 world's first electronic watch, Pulsar.
1974 Hamilton was bought by the Swiss consortium, Swatch.
Gold Hamilton Electric Watch, 1957 vintage
1957 world's first electric wrist watch.
1972 world's first electronic watch, Pulsar.
1974 Hamilton was bought by the Swiss consortium, Swatch.