Hamilton 992 Pocket Watch in White Gold Plate
By Hamilton
Located in Bloomington, MN
Hamilton 992 Pocket Watch in White Gold Plate This Hamilton pocket watch dates to approximately 1918 and features a 50 mm white gold plated case with decorative engraved detailing a...
Gold Plate, White Gold
$1,785Sale Price|31% Off
Hamilton Watch Company of Lancaster, PA, circa 1915
By Hamilton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a lovely antique yellow gold-filled Hamilton pocket watch made by the Hamilton Watch Company of Lancaster, PA circa 1915.
Gold-filled
Antique 1911 Silver Hamilton Open Face Pocket Watch with 17 Jewels
By Hamilton
Located in Wallkill, NY
Wonderful Hamilton open face Pocket Watch - Manufacturer Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania -Movement Serial Number: 679688 - Mar 1, 1911 - Size: 18s - Jewels: 17j Jewel Setting: Scre...
Silver
Antique Hamilton 21 Jewel Railway Special Pocket Watch
By Hamilton
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique pocket watch was made by the well known Hamilton watch company of the United States in approximately 1920.
Metal, Gold Plate
1910's Hamilton Gold-Filled Antique Open Face Pocket Watch, Size 16S
By Hamilton
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Beautiful antique Hamilton pocket watch with white dial. Blue hands and a dedicated seconds dial.
Gold-filled
Hamilton Open Face Gold Filled Antique Pocket Watch Grade 992E 21 Jewel
By Hamilton
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Beautiful Antique Hamilton Pocket Watch w/ White Dial Including Blue Hands & Dedicated Second Dial Gold Filled Case w/ No Design on Case Back Black Arabic Numerals Case Serial # H290...
Hamilton Double Roller 992e Pocket Watch 3262545 Case
By Hamilton
Located in Surfside, FL
Hamilton 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...
Hamilton Watch Co. Hunters Case Pocket Watch, circa 1900s
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Hunters Case METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel CIRCA / YEAR: 1900's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 52mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 21...
Art Deco Hamilton Watch Co. Open Face Pocket Watch Gold Filled Original 1926
By Hamilton
Located in Dearborn, MI
Art Deco Hamilton Watch Co. Open Face Pocket Watch Gold Filled Original 1926 Near Mint Runs Great, Keeps Perfect Time Genuine 14K White Gold Filled Hamilton Case Incredible Engr...
Gold-filled
Hamilton Packard Motor Car Co. Pocket Watch Mechanical Wind
By Hamilton
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: manual wind movement Function: hours, minutes, sub-seconds Case: round 45.50mm 14k yellow gold case with fixed bezel, plastic crystal, winding crown on top of case, winding...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Hamilton Watch Co. 940 Railroad Pocket Watch Manual 21 Jewel Size 18
By Hamilton
Located in Dearborn, MI
Hamilton Watch Co. 940 Railroad Pocket Watch Manual 21 Jewel Size 18 Lever Set Working Dial Has No Hairlines, Cracks, or Chips Needs Hair Spring No Case Had a 52 Gram 14K Gold ...
Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Enamel Dial Railroad Pocket Watch, 1940s
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
The company was started by a group of investors who were looking to create a high-quality, American-made watch. Hamilton quickly became a leading manufacturer of pocket watches, and ...
Gold-filled
Hamilton Rare Full Hunter Pocket Watch 14 Karat Tri-Gold White Enamel Dial
By Hamilton
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Rare 50 mm 14k Tri-Gold Full Hunter Vintage Gents Pocket Watch, white enamel dial with roman numerals, small seconds at 6 0'clock, a fixed 14k tri-gold bezel, plastic glass, an 14k...
Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Sold
Hamilton
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton STYLE / REFERENCE: METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold CIRCA: DIMENSIONS: Diameter 44mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 17 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: WARRANTY: 18 months on the ...
Antique Hamilton Half Hunter Pocket Watch – 17 Jewels, c.1925
Located in Worcester, GB
Antique Hamilton Half Hunter Pocket Watch – 17 Jewels, c.1925 An early 20th-century half hunter pocket watch by the Hamilton Watch Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA.
Gold Plate
Hamilton 925 Pocket Watch - Circa 1903
By Hamilton
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Hamilton Pocket Watch Grade 925 - circa 1903 Serial Number 219198 / swing out nickel case Size 18S / 57.3mm Screw Set 17Jewels Fancy acid etched movement Face in mint condition / W...
Other
Antique Hamilton Open Face Gold Pocket Watch
By Hamilton
Located in Wallkill, NY
Antique Hamilton Open Face 14K Gold Pocket Watch 17 Jewel adjusted 3 positions Measures 1.83" wide 2.34" top to bottom Made in 1921 Serial # 1891794 Open Face Case Pendant...
14k Gold
Hamilton Railroad Style Brass Pocket Watch, circa 1925
By Hamilton
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Enjoy owning this heirloom circa 1925 Hamilton Railroad Style Pocket Watch. Set in a brass case with gold plating, this fabulous size 16S American made piece is restored with a displ...
Brass
Hamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch, 21 jewels, Size 16
By Hamilton
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Hamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch, 21 jewels, Size 16 Hamilton gold filled pocket watch with hunting case.
Gold-filled
Railroad Pocket Watch Hamilton 940 21 Jewel Vintage Antique
By Hamilton
Located in Dearborn, MI
Railroad Pocket Watch Hamilton 940 21 Jewel Vintage Antique Hamilton Pocketwatch Runs Great Hamilton 940 21 Jewels Adjusted to 5 Positions When You Pull the Lever Set Out Y...
Hamilton Yellow Gold Open Face Antique Pocket Watch, circa 1919
By Hamilton
Located in Wallkill, NY
Antique 14K Gold Hamilton 19 Jewel Size 12 Open Face Pocket Watch.
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold
H 2.13 in W 1.75 in D 0.25 in Dm 1.75 in
The Hamilton Watch Company 14 Karat Rose Gold Slim Pocket Watch and Chain-1916
By Hamilton
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Hamilton Watch Compny's 14k rose gold open faced pocket watch and chain with original presentation case..
14k Gold, Rose Gold
Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Enamel Dial Railroad Pocket Watch, 1940s
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
The company was started by a group of investors who were looking to create a high-quality, American-made watch. Hamilton quickly became a leading manufacturer of pocket watches, and ...
Gold-filled
Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Enamel Dial Open Faced Pocket Watch, circa 1916
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Railroad Style Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt.
Hamilton Gold Filled Open Faced Pocket Watch with Kiln Fired Dial from 1916
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
The company was started by a group of investors who were looking to create a high-quality, American-made watch. Hamilton quickly became a leading manufacturer of pocket watches, and ...
Hamilton Open Faced Pocket Watch for the Chicago house of J.V. Falwell from 1923
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
The company was started by a group of investors who were looking to create a high-quality, American-made watch. Hamilton quickly became a leading manufacturer of pocket watches, and ...
Art Deco Pocket Watch Chain Antique Original 1920's Hamilton &Hamilton Jr. Inc.
Located in Dearborn, MI
Art Deco Pocket Watch Chain Antique Original 1920's Hamilton &Hamilton Jr.
Hamilton Vintage American Railroad Pocket Watch Grade 992B Yellow Gold Filled
By Hamilton
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: A classic Hamilton Railroad pocket watch, model 992B. The round case is crafted from gold-filled material, showcasing a white dial adorned with bold ...
Gold-filled
Hamilton Railroad 21 Jewel Grade 940 in Locomotive Gold Filled Case
By Hamilton
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: A classic Hamilton railroad pocket watch crafted in gold-filled.
Gold-filled
Sold
H 5.125 in Dm 3.5 in
1920s Antique Hamilton Fahys 972 Railroad Pocket Watch 17 Jewels Dome Display
By Hamilton
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 1920s mechanical pocket watch by Hamilton Watch Company of Lancaster, PA, featuring a gold case with fluted sides and a shield design on the back; Fahys case serial number 81...
Metal
Sold
H 0.25 in W 1 in D 1 in
Antique 1920s Hamilton Wadsworth 14k Gold Glow in the Dark Pendant Pocket Watch
By Hamilton
Located in Dayton, OH
The hands and Arabic numerals on the face are finished with glow-in-the-dark paint. “Hamilton originally produced the 986 and 986A for pendant watches – a style of pocket watch with...
Gold
Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Antique Pocket Watch Gr 992 21 Jewels, 1913
By Hamilton
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Beautiful Antique Hamilton Pocket Watch w/ White Dial Including Black Hands & Dedicated Second Dial Yellow Gold Filled Case Black Arabic Numerals Case Serial #9912501 21-Jewel Hamilt...
Small Antique Gold-Plated Hamilton Pocket / Fob Watch
By Hamilton
Located in Carlisle, GB
Small Antique Gold Plated Hamilton Pocket / Fob Watch. This small beautiful watch is working and ticking well.
Gold Plate, Enamel
Hamilton Hunter 14k Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Ref 992
By Hamilton
Located in Surfside, FL
Hamilton Hunter Case pocket watch in 14k yellow gold.
Yellow Gold
Hamilton Hunter 14k Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Ref 993
By Hamilton
Located in Surfside, FL
Hamilton Hunter Case pocket watch in 14k yellow gold with etched garden motif on the case.
Yellow Gold
Hamilton Grade 992 10 Karat Gold Filled Pocket Watch 21 Jewel, 1921
By Hamilton
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Beautiful Antique Hamilton Pocket Watch w/ White Dial Including Black Hands & Dedicated Second Dial Yellow 10K Gold Filled Case w/ Personal engraving "IN MEMORY OF MY BELOVED FATHER ...
Hamilton White Gold Dress Pocket Watch, circa 1929
By Hamilton
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hamilton 14K white gold open face dress pocket watch circa 1929.
14k Gold
14 Karat Gold Hamilton Watch Co. Full Hunter Pocket Watch with H G Initials
By Hamilton
Located in Carlisle, GB
This beautiful antique 50mm diameter enamel dial hand winding pocket watch is in good working condition. And it is running well. Visible signs of ageing and wear with light tiny scra...
14k Gold, Gold
$519Sale Price|20% Off
D 0.39 in Dm 1.97 in L 2.56 in
1905 Antique Waltham Gold Filled 15 Jewels Open Face Pocket Watch Working Condit
By Waltham
Located in Honolulu, HI
An exceptional antique American pocket watch by the renowned Waltham Watch Company, produced in 1905. This classic 16-size open-face watch features a pristine white enamel dial with ...
Gold-filled
Howard 14Kt. Solid White Gold Art Deco Pocket Watch with Kiln Fired Enamel Dial
By Howard
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Howard Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1925 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 46mm MOVEMENT / CALI...
14k Gold
Vintage Hamilton GCT AN 5740 4992B 22 Jewel .800 Silver Pocket Watch
By Hamilton
Located in New York, NY
A highly collectible military timepiece, this Vintage Hamilton G.C.T. AN 5740 4992B Pocket Watch is a classic example of precision American watchmaking. Produced during the WWII era,...
Silver
Vacheron & Constantine Platinum Art Deco Pocket Watch Dial by Stern Freres
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Vacheron & Constantine STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Open Faced Dress Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 42mm M...
Platinum
J.W. Benson Sterling Silver Half Hunters Case Pocket Watch, circa 1890s
By J.W. Benson
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.W.Benson London STYLE / REFERENCE: Half Hunters Case METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA: 1890's DIMENSIONS: Diameter 39mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Windin...
Vacheron Constantin Pocket Watch 900 Silver
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Berlin, DE
Glass and hour hand are missing. Original case! Age-related condition. Including certificate of authenticity.
Silver
$425
H 2.125 in W 3 in D 0.5 in
Antique 1885 Rockford Watch Co Floral Engraved 18s Railroad Pocket Watch
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century pocket watch made by the Rockford Watch Co. of Illinois, featuring a classic white enamel dial with Roman numerals, a lower sub-dial, and gold floral engraved ca...
Brass
Antique Big OpenFace Silver Pocket Watch by Waltham American Watch Co (A.W.W.Co)
By American Waltham Watch Co.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Antique Unusually Large OpenFace Sterling Silver Pocket Watch by Waltham American Watch Co (A.W.W. Co) featuring a big - 58mm - 925 Sterling Silver case, case back is detailed wit...
Silver
$4,392
H 1.19 in W 1.58 in D 0.4 in
Rare 14ct Gold Pocket Watch by August Ericsson, St Petersburg, circa 1890
Located in Worcester, GB
Rare 14ct Gold Pocket Watch by August Ericsson, St Petersburg, circa 1890 A rare and finely made late 19th century gold pocket watch by August Ericsson (1842–1910), the highly regar...
Gold
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Hampden Watch Co. Gold Plated White Dial 1900-1909
By Hampden Watch Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Item specifics Condition: Pre-owned: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but ... Department: Unisex Adult Case Material: Gold Plated...
Gold Plate
$1,030
W 2.37 in D 0.4 in Dm 2.37 in
Waltham Traveler Gold Capped Hunter Case Savonette Antique Pocket Watch
By American Waltham Watch Co.
Located in VALLADOLID, ES
Waltham Traveler antique pocket watch, Savonette (Hunter Case) model with gold capping, porcelain dial, and 17-jewel movement; made in the USA. Era: 1900 This elegant and stunning ti...
Ruby
$396
H 7.09 in W 4.93 in D 1.97 in
Vintage Railway Chronometer - Brass Jumbo Pocket Watch or Wall Clock
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Midcentury novelty Jumbo Pocket Watch or small Wall Clock. It is called Railway Chronometer. The case, crown and ring/crown guard is fashioned from brass. Dial with Roman numerals an...
Brass
American Waltham Art Deco Pocket Watch, Circa 1980, Unisex, 59.42g
By American Waltham Watch Co.
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This classic American Waltham pocket watch is a fine example of early American craftsmanship and timeless design. Weighing 59.42 grams, it has a substantial feel, reflecting the qual...
Antique Waltham Model 1907 No. 161 0s Pocket Watch 14k Gold Diamond Hunter Case
By Waltham
Located in Montclair, NJ
This petite and classy antique Waltham pocket watch features a solid 14k yellow gold double full hunter case made by Lambert Bros. The case is adorned with an elegant floral design t...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique 9k Gold Pocket Watch – Circa 1880-1900, Hallmarked
Located in Worcester, GB
Antique 9k Gold Pocket Watch – Circa 1880-1900, Hallmarked This exquisite antique pocket watch features a solid 9k gold case, finely crafted with intricate engravings and a textured...
Gold
Omega Silver Single Button 15 Minute Register Pocket Watch, circa 1910
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced / Chronograph Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 900 Silver DIMENSIONS: Diameter 55mm CIRCA: 1910 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: ...
18 kt Gold Omega Collectors Wrist Watch, Caliber 321, Reference OT 2955 3
By Omega
Located in Antwerp, BE
Omega Chronograph, Collectors in amazing condition ! Reference OT 2955 3 Movement : Mechanical Manual Winding Caliber 321 Case : 18 Kt solid Gold, 35 mm Strap : Leather, Omega Gol...
18k Gold, Gold
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1913 Patek Philippe Pocket Watch for Retailer Spaulding and Company , 45 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 4 piece case including the Yellow Gold Cuvette (Dust Cover) Greek Key Pattern Blue...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Victorian Thomas Russell & Sons Pocket Watch in 18ct Yellow Gold
By Thomas Russell & Son
Located in London, GB
This pocket watch is made of 18ct Yellow Gold and has a Gold dial. It was made by Thomas Russell in England in 1878. The watch is in perfect working order. It is a very rare collecta...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$17,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.18 in W 1.22 in Dm 9 in L 9 in
CARTIER Paris 1970 Automatic Large Ceinture Wristwatch In 18 Kt Yellow Gold
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
An automatique Ceinture large wrist-watch designed by Cartier. This is the rare large model of the Ceinture automatique wristwatch, created in Paris France by the jewelry house of C...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe Demi Hunter Pocket Watch in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Boston, MA
A Patek Philippe pocket watch crafted in 18k yellow gold. Housed in a rare Demi, or Half Hunters case accented with black enamel. The round watch features a classic dial with Roma...
18k Gold
18k Tiffany and Co Pocket Watch. Antique 18k YG Tiffany Mechanical Watch. 30mm
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Antique Tiffany and Co Pocket Watch. 18k Yellow gold Case 30mm Round Case. Please refer to pictures to see the movement. Condition: Winds up and ticks. Second hand moves smoothly....
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 14 Karat Gold Pocket Watch, sold by W. Lennartz-Michels
By Patek Philippe
Located in Berlin, DE
Patek Philippe Gold Pocket Watch, Arabic Enamel Dial Slight signs of wear due to age on the case. Hands possibly replaced. Diameter measured without the crown. The pocket watch can...
Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
LeCoultre Minute Repeater Chronograph in 18 Karat Gold with Royal Belgian Proven
Located in Boston, MA
A fine and rare LeCoultre minute repeating chronograph pocket watch in 18 karat gold. With exceptional engraved case displaying Greater and Lesser versions of the Belgian coat of ar...
Gold
A Gold Full Hunter Quarter Repeater Calendar Chronograph Pocket Watch C1900
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k Yellow Gold Full Hunter Chronograph Calendar Quarter Repeater Keyless Lever Pocket Watch, C1900's. Dial: A white enamel dial with roman numerals and outer tachymeter minute t...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Company Patek Philippe Antique Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920 Patek Philippe for Tiffany & company Pocket watch, 45 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 4 piece case including Gold inside Dust Cover. 20 Jewel, mechanical, manual wind nickle leve...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$8,985
H 2 in W 1.03 in D 0.44 in Dm 1.03 in L 2 in
Waltham 1886 Riverside Size 0s Hunting Pocket Watch In 18Kt Gold With Diamond
By American Waltham Watch Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Pocket watch designed by Waltham. Beautiful hunting pocket watch, created in Massachusetts United States by the A.W Waltham Watch Company, circa 1886-1887. This piece is one of the ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vacheron & Constantin Grottendieck Bruxelles 18 Karat Gold Pocket Watch
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Berlin, DE
Vacheron & Constantin Grottendieck Bruxelles 18 Karat Gold Pocket Watch Movement can be wound and works. Dial with hairline crack. Including certificate of authenticity.
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
S.Smith & Son Rare Gold Karrusel Half Hunter Pocket Watch C1898
Located in Mayfair, London, London
S.Smith & Son. A Rare and Important Keyless Lever 18ct Yellow Gold Karrusel Half Hunter Pocket Watch, C1898. Dial: The wonderful cream coloured Willis enamel dial with Roman num...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Waltham Amn. Watch Co. Grade 18k Yellow Gold 16j Size 8s Pocket Watch
By Waltham
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an absolutely gorgeous, antique American Waltham pocket watch featuring a solid 18k gold case. The case is magnificently hand etched with floral patterns throughout. The...
Yellow Gold
Cartier 18Kt. Yellow Gold Art Deco Open Faced Pocket Watch Hand Made 1920's
By Cartier
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Cartier Jewelers STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Opened Faced METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold and Enamel CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 50mm MOVEME...
Gold-filled
Rolex Precision Ref. 3400 Openface, Keyless Lever Pocket Watch, Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare collectors Watch. Original Condition. Watch needs an overhaul. Including certificate of authenticity.
Steel, Stainless Steel
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.
Can you pull off a vintage pocket watch? Of course you can. With a suit and a waistcoat, a pocket watch can be a refreshing alternative to a wristwatch.
The earliest pocket watches were luxury items, and, owing to cost, they weren’t commonplace until the 19th century. Artfully crafted pocket watches were a symbol of wealth, and manufacturers such as Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe became known for theirs. (Today, they’re among the most sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.)
At the onset, pocket watches resembled small round table clocks, and pulling your small round table clock — perhaps of the silver variety — out of your breast pocket in front of someone else demonstrated unequivocally that you cared about punctuality. For collectors, pocket watches are big, and that means a larger canvas provided for functions without crowding the dial. For example, the Marius Lecoultre pocket watch — made circa 1890 — does everything but uncork your wine.
In the late 1800s, the open-face pocket watch became a staple on the American railroad. It was a requirement for railway workers to wear a pocket watch, as the timepieces were responsible for keeping conductors on schedule. This was a boon to the watchmaking industry, with companies like Hamilton, the Elgin National Watch Company and the Waltham Watch Company producing high-grade and workingman’s watches.
By the 1930s, wristwatches comprised the bulk of watch manufacturing in America, superseding the pocket watch. Suddenly, if you wanted to know the time, you merely glanced at your wrist. But given their vintage charm and our general appetite for good design, pocket watches are a piece of statement-making jewelry and today can prove complementary to your formal attire in a manner that is stylish and unconventional.
Let time take its course — browse a vast selection of antique and vintage pocket watches available on 1stDibs designed by legendary brands such as IWC, Cartier and more.