Hamilton 14 Karat White Gold Filled Pocket Watch
View Similar Items
Hamilton 14 Karat White Gold Filled Pocket Watch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1939
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Long Beach, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: XX717 V1stDibs: LU422310524302
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 for sale on 1stDibs.
- Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Enamel Dial Railroad Pocket Watch, 1940sBy HamiltonLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1917 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 45mm MOVEMEN...Category
Vintage 1910s Swiss Modern Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Hamilton Gold Filled Open Faced Pocket Watch with Kiln Fired Dial from 1916By HamiltonLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled / Hand Engraved Case CIRCA / YEAR: 1916 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Dia...Category
Vintage 1910s Swiss Pocket Watches
- Howard 14 Karat Solid White Gold Opened Faced Pocket Watch, circa 1920sBy E. Howard & Co.Located in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Howard Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 10 Size METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt. Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 43mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / High Grade DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Breguet Style Arabic Numerals WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This watch is supplied with an original vintage Gold Filled Fob...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Pocket Watches
MaterialsWhite Gold
- Elgin White Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch from 1923 with Matching ChainBy ElginLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Open Faced METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1923 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 44mm MOVEMENT / CALI...Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Rockford Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Pocket Watch from 1886By Rockford Watch CompanyLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Rockford Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1886 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 55mm MOVEMENT / CALIBE...Category
Antique 1880s Swiss Early Victorian Pocket Watches
- Howard 14Kt Whilte Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch with Geneva Seal StandardsBy Howard & Co., New YorkLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Howard Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced / 12 X 14 Size METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. White Heavy Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1917 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 44mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Roman Numerals / Blued Steel Original Hands WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a classic by the legendary house of Howard. The watch is in excellent original condition with an original dial as well and original blued steel hands. It is also supplied with a white gold filled pocket watch chain so you can wear it as soon as it arrives. The watch keeps excellent time and is very dependable, even though it is over 100 years old you can wear this watch all the time, and count on it to get there on time, every time. One of the most respected names in American watch making, was the house founded by Edward Howard in Boston Massachusetts in 1858. Howard was an exceptional watchmaker who had worked originally for the Willard Clock Company. Willard was the premier American clock maker and advanced American horology. Howard’s exceptional designs and innovations helped establish America as a watchmaking capital along with the Waltham Watch Company. Howard’s creativity helped establish the principles of industrialization and standardized parts. Howards watches were rugged and very accurate as well. Their case designs were innovative as well. Howard watches were used by scientists and engineers in military and industry because they were rugged and dependable. In 1903, the Howard Watch Company was acquired by the Keystone...Category
Vintage 1920s Swiss Pocket Watches
- Vintage Hamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch Size 16Located in Laguna Beach, CAHamilton pocket watch, gold-filled hunting case. 25 year guaranteed stamped inside case. Size 16, 17 jewels, 3/4 plate. The time is lever set. Very clean movement. The serial number ...Category
Mid-20th Century Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Hamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch, 21 jewels, Size 16By HamiltonLocated in Laguna Beach, CAHamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch, 21 jewels, Size 16 Hamilton gold filled pocket watch with hunting case. Grade 971, Size 16, 3/4 plate , 21 jewels, 5 ...Category
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- 14 Karat Yellow Gold Filled American Waltham Pocket WatchBy American Waltham Watch Co.Located in Stamford, CT14 Karat Yellow Gold American Waltham Pocket Watch. Just serviced in fine working condition. Case no. 65463776 Sapphire Dial no. 2001...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Pocket Watches
Materials14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold-filled
- Men's Burlington 14K Gold Filled Pocket WatchLocated in Laguna Beach, CABurlington 14k white gold filled pocket watch. Open face, size 12, Model A. Double roller, 21 jewels. The serial number is 5208043, made in 1928. Time tested for 8 hours. Keeps good...Category
Vintage 1920s Pocket Watches
Materials14k Gold, Gold-filled
- Elgin 14k Gold Filled Pocket Watch Ref 27460By ElginLocated in Surfside, FLAntique Elgin "Hunter Case" 42mm diameter, 14K gold filled pocket watch with scalloped edges all around. 1895 dated engraving. Elaborate rose,...Category
20th Century Pocket Watches
Materials14k Gold, Gold-filled
- Antique Edwardian 1903 14k Gold Filled Pocket WatchBy American Waltham Watch Co.Located in London, GBAntique pocket watch featuring a beautiful ornate design dating back to 1903. The watch has a number of makings indicating the piece was made by 'Waltham Watch Company' and it is 14k gold filled. The interior watch mechanism dates back to 1891 and went into manufacture in 1903. The watch company was estimated in 1850 and closed in 1957. They produced the watches in Waltham, Massachusetts in the United States. Waltham was one of the great American manufactures. The watch is tactile to touch with textured engravings on the back and the front has a new plastic face which is in excellent condition. The watch keeps time beautifully. To operate the watch, carefully twist the top faceted gold ball situated inside the ring at the top of the piece. By twisting the ball the piece is being wound up, this watch does not need a key. To set the time you gentle pull the top ball until you hear a click, and turn to set the time. Please watch the video provided. This piece is very decorative, it would work very well on a pocket watch chain for a wedding or as a statement necklace. ERA Edwardian, 1901-1910 HALLMARKS American Waltham Watch Co Guaranteed, J. Boss 25 years Keystone Watch...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Pocket Watches
Materials14k Gold, Gold-filled