Hamilton
Watches
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
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. A wrist watch version of the railroad watch was
issued to General Pershing and his doughboys in WWI, accompanied
Admiral Byrd on his expeditions to the North and South Poles,
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.
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.
Hamilton Watch Company
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.
1893 Hamilton introduces "The Broadway Limited", a railroad watch that
was dubbed "the watch of Railroad accuracy". 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. A wrist watch version of the railroad watch was issued to General
Pershing and his doughboys in WWI, accompanied Admiral Byrd on his expeditions
to the North and South Poles, 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.
1928 The Yankees win the world series. Hamilton introduces the Yankee Watch,
establishing it as a leader in watch design. Hamilton helped America keep pace
with the energy of a new lifestyle. New Hamilton designs, such as the Yankee
and the Piping Rock, projected the independant spirit of the day.
1930 Hamilton continues to capture the soaring spirit of the 1930's. The world
turns to the skies as commercial aviation takes off. Hamilton soon becomes the
official timepiece of the most famous industry leaders --- TWA, Eastern, United
and Northwest.
1940 WWII Hamilton stops production of watches for consumers and creates new
timepieces exclusively for military use. Close to one million Hamilton military
watches are produced. Today, the 'Hack' has become very collectible among watch
and military collectors.
1957 Hamilton's leadership in engineering and innovation creates a significant
breakthrough in timekeeping. Hamilton introduces the first electric watch in
1957. The Ventura becomes an instant success. See "Hamilton Electric"
1965 Inspired by the sleek lines of the Cadillac tailfins of the 50's, the Ventura
becomes the watch of choice for the icoms of american style. Elvis Presley chooses
to wear the Ventura in his movie, 'Blue Hawaii.'
1972 The furure is close at hand and Hamilton shocks the world with a completely
new kind of watch. Manufactured at its headquarters in Pennsylvania, Hamilton
introduces the world's first digital watch - the Pulsar.
Today, Hamilton s primary collections include the American Classics collection
and the Khaki collection, updated versions of the legendary military timepieces
of yesteryear. Manufactured at its headquarters in Pennsylvania, Hamilton introduces
the world's first digital watch - the Pulsar.
