Ladies Hamilton Case Gold-Plated Watch, Model 26035-4, Working, Vintage
View Similar Items
Ladies Hamilton Case Gold-Plated Watch, Model 26035-4, Working, Vintage
About the Item
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Case Dimensions:Diameter: 0.95 in (24 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Rancho Santa Fe, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1792210236712
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.
- Elgin Pocket Watch Gold Plated Working 15 Jewels 11066484 Year 1905By ElginLocated in Rancho Santa Fe, CAVintage 1905 gold plated Elgin pocket watch that's 49mm in diameter and 14mm thick. The case is in good condition with a clean plastic crystal. The movement is working, 15 jewels, an...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold Plate
- Gold Plated Kurz Armin Pendant Watch, Original Box, Very Good Working ConditionBy A. KurzLocated in Rancho Santa Fe, CABeautiful gold plated Kurz watch pendant with original box. The 30mm watch case (11mm thick) has a lovely black and gold scroll design. On the backside of the watch, there's an image of a man playing the guitar for ladies. Overall, the condition of the case and Swiss 17-jewel movement are very good; the movement works well (see video of movement running). The snake-weave style chain is 30 inches long and secured with a spring-ring clasp. This watch was made in Zurich, Switzerland by a fine jeweler Armin Kurz...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold Plate
- Ladies Omega 12kt Gold Filled Watch Working 15 Jewel Fully Serviced WarrantyBy OmegaLocated in Rancho Santa Fe, CABeautiful 12kt white gold vintage ladies' Omega watch with a 16mm x 20mm x 8mm case. The face of the watch is silver, the band has a 26mm clasp, 2.25 inches on one side and 2 inches ...Category
Vintage 1920s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled, White Gold, Silver
- P Moser Pocket Watch Working Case Year 1910 Swiss Made 875 SilverLocated in Rancho Santa Fe, CAP. Moser 875 silver pocket watch that has a 51mm case, 13.5mm thick, with a clean plastic crystal. The manual movement is working with serial number 176469. Overall, this pocket watc...Category
Vintage 1910s Swiss Edwardian Pocket Watches
MaterialsSilver
- 18kt Yellow Gold Jaeger LeCoultre Watch 30mm Case Swiss 1990s Manual WorkingBy Jaeger-LeCoultreLocated in Rancho Santa Fe, CAGorgeous 1990s 18kt yellow gold Jaeger LeCoultre watch with a 30mm case that has a white face with a very clean glass crystal. The case is 4mm...Category
1990s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Lanco Pocket Watch 1950s, Chrome Case, Working, Slim Modern Design, 15 JewelLocated in Rancho Santa Fe, CALanco Pocket watch 1950s, Chrome Case, Working, Slim Modern Design, Very Good Condition, 15 Jewel Rubies Movement, Swiss Made. Beautiful mid-century watch. This watch has not been s...Category
Vintage 1950s Swiss Modern Pocket Watches
MaterialsSteel
- Rare Vintage Ebel Gold Plated Pocket WatchBy EbelLocated in Antwerp, BERare Vintage Ebel Gold Plated Pocket watch Material: Gold Plated Case: Diameter 36.4 mm x Thickness 9.5 mm, gold plated Dial: Goldish dial...Category
Vintage 1950s Artisan Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold Plate
- Hamilton Ladies WatchBy HamiltonLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 33mm Length X 17mm Diameter MOVEMEN...Category
Vintage 1940s American Wrist Watches
MaterialsPlatinum
$2,800 - Hamilton Double Roller 992e Pocket Watch 3262545 CaseBy HamiltonLocated in Surfside, FLHamilton Watch Company Elinvar Double Roller 992E with triple sunk porcelain dial. 21 Jewels 5 Adjusted Positions. Case Signed "Keystone base metal 3262545" Fine Pre-owned Hamilton W...Category
Antique Early 1900s 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
- 1960s Vintage Hamilton Diamond Platinum Ladies Cocktail WatchBy HamiltonLocated in Miami, FLThis Vintage Hamilton Ladie's cocktail is watch crafted in solid Platinum. With an off-white dial & silver-tone hand markers. Manual mechanical winding movement. It with A round diam...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Franck Muller Vintage Ladies Watch 1750 S6 BAG in PlatinumBy Franck MullerLocated in Berlin, DEFranck Muller Vintage Ladies Watch Reference: 1750 S6 BAG Material: Platinum Movement: Manual winding Diameter: 25x35mm Dial: Silver Bracelet: Le...Category
Late 20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
$16,865 Sale Price20% Off