Hamilton & Co., Calcutta Pitchers

To open a Hamilton pocket watch, take it to a reputable watch repair shop. Experts advise against opening antique pocket watches on your own because special tools are necessary to avoid damaging the timepieces. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Hamilton pocket watches.

To identify a vintage Hamilton watch, grab a magnifying glass and look for its model number, serial number and case number. Most timepieces produced by Hamilton will display one, two or all three of these numbers. The model and case numbers generally appear on the back of the case, and you can usually find the serial number on the lugs. You can enter these numbers into the search tool on the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors's official website to learn about your watch's age, style name and other characteristics. If you have any difficulty, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer can help you. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of vintage Hamilton watches.

The story behind Hamilton watches goes back to 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. Time was not standardized across the country.

Therefore, in 1883, the railroad companies established the four time zones as we know them today. However, train conductors were not always synchronized, leading to deadly railroad accidents. Enter watchmaker Hamilton, founded in 1892. Railway workers would be required to wear a pocket watch to keep on schedule, and the watchmaking industry — especially pocket-watch manufacturers such as Hamilton — benefitted. The 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. The new style of watch also appealed to aviators, and Hamilton aeronautical watches became all the rage among pilots, particularly 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. Hamilton’s Piping Rock watch, an Art Deco-inspired design featuring elegant Roman numerals set in black for the hour markers, debuted 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 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.

On 1stDibs, find a wide range of Hamilton watches.

Whether Hamilton watches are American or Swiss depends on the timepiece in question. Prior to 2003, Hamilton manufactured its timepieces in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After the company's sale to the Swatch Group, its headquarters and manufacturing facility relocated to Biel, Switzerland. Explore a variety of Hamilton watches on 1stDibs.

Hamilton's Railway Special pocket watch was launched in 1940 and remained in production for the next two decades. At the time, it was marketed as the most accurate railroad watch available. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary Hamilton timepieces from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

Tiffany & Co. is so famous due to its rich heritage. A young Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed to his future wife, Eleanor, with a Tiffany ring in 1904. Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Astors and members of the Russian imperial family all wore Tiffany & Co. jewels. And Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis preferred Tiffany china for state dinners at the White House. In addition, Tiffany & Co. helped put diamonds on the map in 1886 by introducing the American marketplace to the solitaire diamond design, which is still among the most popular engagement ring styles. Explore a variety of Tiffany & Co. jewelry on 1stDibs.

The legendary American luxury house Tiffany & Co. is currently owned by Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), which completed the acquisition of the company in January, 2021. The firm started out modestly — Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young founded it in Connecticut as a “stationery and fancy goods emporium” in 1837, at a time when European imports still dominated the nascent American luxury market. Upon Charles’ death in 1902, his son Louis Comfort Tiffany took over artistic direction for the brand. On 1stDibs, find authentic Tiffany & Co. pieces from some of the world's top sellers.

Many watch lovers believe that Jacob & Co. is worth it. The American company is noted for its unconventional take on forms and features, such as watch faces with complex, asymmetrical shapes and bezels accented with bold color schemes. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in Jacob & Co. watches is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find a range of Jacob & Co. watches on 1stDibs.

Yes, Rolex has collaborated with Tiffany & Co. The Swiss luxury watchmaker sold their timepieces at Tiffany & Co. boutiques from the 1950s through the 2000s. Rolex timepieces purchased at the boutiques featured the same mechanisms and style elements as other watches but featured the Tiffany name alongside the Rolex logo on their dials. Find an assortment of Rolex watches on 1stDibs.

What Tiffany & Co. jewelry is made of varies. The American luxury jewelry maker is best known for producing pieces out of .925 sterling silver, a durable, tarnish-resistant alloy that is 92.5% pure silver. However, Tiffany & Co. also manufactures jewelry out of platinum, titanium and 18-karat rose, white and yellow gold. Many pieces also feature genuine diamonds and pearls. Shop a wide range of Tiffany & Co. jewelry on 1stDibs.

Yes, many watch lovers believe that Jacob & Co. watches are worth it. Jacob & Co. is one of the most prestigious traditional makers of timepieces in New York City. The company's watches are popular with collectors — Jacob & Co. is noted for its multicolored gemstone designs, oversized complications and unusual take on forms and features, such as watch faces with complex, asymmetrical shapes and bezels accented with bold color schemes. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in Jacob & Co. watches is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find Jacob & Co. watches and other watches on 1stDibs.

Tiffany & Co. was originally called Tiffany & Young in 1837. The company was named after founders Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young. In 1841, J. L. Ellis became a partner, and the business name changed to Tiffany, Young & Ellis. When Tiffany took full control of the company in 1953, he changed its name to Tiffany & Co. Find a wide range of Tiffany & Co. jewelry on 1stDibs.

Where Tiffany & Co. gets its diamonds varies. The American luxury jewelry house sources gemstones from mines and suppliers in Botswana, Canada, Namibia, Russia and South Africa. All diamonds used by Tiffany & Co. are conflict-free and meet high-quality standards. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of Tiffany & Co. diamond jewelry.

Tiffany & Co. only uses sterling silver to create their silver jewelry designs. With proper care, the sterling silver of your gorgeous piece will last from generation to generation. You can shop a collection of Tiffany & Co. jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.