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Hamilton Furniture

American

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.

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Creator: Hamilton
18 Carat Gold Ladies Hamilton Watch
By Hamilton
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Women's 18 carat gold watch and band by Hamilton Watch company. Fully serviced and working. Measures: Weight 39.6 grams.
Category

20th Century Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Gold

Vintage Lighted Drafting Table
By Hamilton
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage Lighted Drafting Table A vintage drafting table , the rectangular top has a lighted etched glass diffuser panel set within wood frame. Base with fluorescent light box.
Category

20th Century American Other Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Wood

Hamilton Clock 1990s
By Hamilton
Located in Lucca, IT
Orologio Hamilton placcato in oro. Completo della scatola originale e di certificato di autenticità . Riedizione di un modello Art Deco , il disegno rende l'orologio elegante e raffi...
Category

1980s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate

Pair of Sterling Silver Fluted Weighted Candlesticks
By Hamilton
Located in New York, NY
A great Pair of Sterling Silver Fluted Weighted Candlesticks signed Hamilton Sterling
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

George IV Indian Colonial Tankard by Hamilton & Company, Calcutta, circa 1830
By Hamilton
Located in London, GB
An exceptionally rare George IV Indian Colonial Drinking Tankard made in Calcutta circa 1830 by Hamilton & Company. The Tankard has a slightly tapering form and spreading base. The ...
Category

19th Century Indian George IV Antique Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Oak 24-Drawer Flat File Printer's Cabinet or Collector's Cabinet
By Hamilton
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Arts & Crafts 24-drawer flat file printer's cabinet or collector's cabinet By Hamilton Manufacturing Co. USA, Circa 1900 Oak, with original iron har...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Iron

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. The watch is in good working order with a white porcelain face...
Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate

Mid-20th Century Pair of Weighted Sterling Convertible Three Light Candelabra
By Hamilton
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid-20th Century Pair of Weighted, Sterling Convertible, Three Light Candelabra, Hamilton silversmith makers, with gadrooned rims, thistle sconces, reeded bypass candle arms, taperin...
Category

20th Century American Art Nouveau Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

1928 Hamilton Railroad #2 10K Gold Filled 21J Pocket Watch 16s Runs
By Hamilton
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique late 1920’s Hamilton Railroad pocket watch with braided leather fob. White face with black Arabic numerals; second counting sub-dial with Arabic numerals. Art Deco scalloped edge and Greek key details. Runs. Case: Wadsworth Watch...
Category

1920s Art Deco Vintage Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Metal

Hamilton Mfg Co High Back Adjustable Height Mahogany Architect Piano Stool
By Hamilton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Hamilton Mfg Co. High Back Adjustable Height Mahogany Architect Piano Stool. Item features an adjustable height seat, tall back with carvings, ...
Category

Early 1900s American Craftsman Antique Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Donald Deskey Bar Cabinet for Hamilton Company
By Donald Deskey, Hamilton
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Streamline Art Deco medical cabinet doubles as a dry bar by the Hamilton company of Milwaukee designed by Donald Deskey. Cabinet features two ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Steel

Adjustable Industrial Table Hamilton USA
By Hamilton
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An adjusting industrial table on casters having an architectural cast iron frame supporting a joined and substantial oiled mahogany top. The height is controlled by a pair of hand cr...
Category

20th Century American Industrial Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Iron, Metal

Antique Pine 12-Drawer Blueprint Flat File Cabinet by Hamilton, Circa 1900
By Hamilton
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Arts & Crafts architect's blueprint or map flat file cabinet By Hamilton Manufacturing Co. USA, Circa 1900 Solid pine, with original iron hardware. ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Hamilton Furniture

Materials

Iron

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Pair of English Edwardian Neoclassical Sterling Silver Candlesticks
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The Life of Emma, Lady Hamilton by J T Herbert Baily, 1st Ed
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The Life of Emma, Lady Hamilton by J T Herbert Baily. Published by Menzies London, 1905. 1st Ed hardcover no dust jacket as published. 137 untrimmed pages with all 23 portraits of Lady Hamilton each with a tissue guard. Dame Emma Hamilton...
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Cartier 1926 Tom Pouce Ladies Lighter 18kt Gold Bronze Champlevé Emerald & Lapis
By Cartier, Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Mughal ladies Tom Pouce lighter designed by Cartier. Fabulous and extremely rare ladies cylindrical gasoline lighter. Created in Paris during the art deco period by the house of Cartier, back in the middle of the 1920's. This miniature Tom Pouce lighter, takes its name from the classic short fairy tales by the Grimm's brothers, Tom Thumb (Tom Pouce being the French translation). It was crafted with Champlevé colored enamels over rustic bronze and accented with details in yellow gold of 18 karats. Embellished with natural lapis lazuli and an emerald. The main outside body is decorated with organics elements and figures of red and blue birds. Gorgeous look and surely a great conversation piece which is accompanied by the round Cartier red box. Champlevé, in the decorative arts, is an enameling technique or an object made by the champlevé process, which consists of cutting away troughs or cells in a metal plate and filling the depressions with pulverized vitreous enamel. The raised metal lines between the cutout areas form the design outline. Emerald: Accented on top in a bezel setting, with 1 square faceted cut of a natural green emerald of about 0.15 carats. Lapis: Mount with 1 flat round cabochon cut, carved from lapis lazuli of about 1.25 carats. Birthstone: Emerald for the month of May. Weight: 21.95 Grams, (14.07 Dwt). Measurements: Have a diameter of 16 mm and a height of 33 mm (0.63 x 1.30 Inches). Hallmarks Stamped with the maker's mark, the serial numbers, the French taxation mark for luxury items BL inside a rectangular cartouche and signed, "CARTIER 5554", stamped with matching cases numbers, 13 & 13. Ministere Des Finances Lighter Tax 1911-1945 Note: On 10th December 1910 the French state adopted a new tax regulations on all devices indented to produce spark or fire by friction, or by any other means, and of the combustion of a flammable substance. Since 1st January 1911 every lighter in France that was intended for sale in the French market had to be taxed and adequately marked. To confirm that the excise duty was paid to the Ministry of Finance a special duty metal plate (stamp) was attached (usually welded) to the lighter by the lighter manufacturers. The fees charged by the French state were high but the tax rates levied by the state were varying depending on the type and finish of the lighter. Following tax rates were used: 2 French francs for common pocket lighters, 5 Fr for pocket lighters made of silver, 20 Fr for luxury pocket lighters (e.g. made of gold), 5 Fr for common table/desk lighters (over 10 cm), 10 Fr for table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of silver, 50 Fr for luxury table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of gold or platinum. Between 1911 and 1916 a simple copper plate was used which had the date 1911 engraved. Later, between 1916 and 1945 a new plate (undated) was introduced with the letters "C" and "I" (stands for indirect taxes) and a profile of Mercury (patron god of financial gain, commerce and messengers) with an inscription "Ministère Des Finances" (eng. Ministry of Finance). Two shapes were used for the plate – oval for table lighters, the other one for pocket lighters. Additional to the two duty plates a marking "BL" (Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter) was introduced in 1926. It was a small hallmark which was considered as more discreet and applied only on luxury lighters like Quercia or Lancel. It is worth to mention that France was not the sole country where lighters were taxed and marked with special plates...
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Oyster Perpetual Datejust Gold Watch, Jewelry, 70s
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Oyster Perpetual Datejust Gold Watch, Jewelry, 70s
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Free Shipping
H 1.19 in W 3.94 in D 0.4 in
Vintage Two Drawer Oak Locking Filing Cabinet
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No Reserve
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Antique Oak Desktop Letter File Cabinet by American Cabinet Co.
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Previously Available Items
Antique Pine 12-Drawer Blueprint Flat File Cabinet by Hamilton, Circa 1900
By Hamilton
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Arts & Crafts architect's blueprint or map flat file cabinet By Hamilton Manufacturing Co. USA, Circa 1900 Solid pine, with original iron hardware. ...
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Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Hamilton Furniture

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Arts & Crafts Oak 15-Drawer Architect's Blueprint Flat File Cabinet by Hamilton
By Hamilton
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional vintage Arts & Crafts oak stacking architect's blueprint flat file cabinet By Hamilton Manufacturing Co. USA, Mid-20th Century Me...
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Mid-20th Century American Arts and Crafts Hamilton Furniture

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Antique Art Deco Walnut Bar Cabinet by Hamilton, circa 1930s
By Hamilton
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Art Deco bar cabinet In the manner of Dominique By Hamilton Manufacturing Co. USA, circa 1930s Walnut, with...
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1930s American Art Deco Vintage Hamilton Furniture

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Chrome

Antique Oak 20-Drawer Blueprint Flat File Cabinet by Hamilton, circa 1900
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A rare and exceptional antique Arts & Crafts flat file cabinet By Hamilton Manufacturing Co. USA, circa 1900 Solid oak, with original iron hardware. Measures: 27"W x 21.5...
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Antique 1920s Hamilton Wadsworth 14k Gold Glow in the Dark Pendant Pocket Watch
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Antique 1920’s Hamilton Watch Company square pocket watch. Features 986A, 17 Jewel works, numbered 2187511 and an H 6/0 Wadsworth quality 14K s...
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Antique Oak 16-Drawer Blueprint Flat File Cabinet by Hamilton, Circa 1900
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Antique Oak 16-Drawer Blueprint Flat File Cabinet by Hamilton, circa 1900
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Hamilton Adjustable Industrial Stool
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Located in Garnerville, NY
Quality Hamilton adjustable height industrial stool. Newly upholstered seat. The height adjusts from approximately 17.5" at its lowest setting to approximately 24" at its highest. Ci...
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1920s American Industrial Vintage Hamilton Furniture

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Antique Oak 25-Drawer Blueprint Flat File Cabinet by Hamilton, circa 1900
By Hamilton
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional antique Arts & Crafts architect's blueprint or map flat file cabinet By Hamilton Manufacturing Co. USA, Circa 1900 Solid...
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Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Hamilton Furniture

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Hamilton furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Hamilton furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Hamilton furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Hamilton were created in the Art Deco style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Barry Kieselstein-Cord, Bally, and Revere. Prices for Hamilton furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $700 and can go as high as $4,198, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,709.
Questions About Hamilton Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The Hamilton 992B Railroad Watch was first produced in November, 1940, nine years after design and research began. The 992B featured brand-new technologies and was made with gold, steel and gilt parts and the newly designed Elinvar Extra hairspring. The last Hamilton 992B was sold in 1969. Shop Hamilton 992B Railroad Watches from top sellers worldwide on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    George Romney is the artist who painted Lady Hamilton. He actually produced several Romantic portraits and drew many sketches of her, as he considered her to represent the ideal of feminine beauty. Later in his career, Romney produced a series of paintings inspired by the works of William Shakespeare. Shop a variety of George Romney art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    No, Hamilton is not widely considered a luxury watch brand. The revered Swiss manufacturer’s timepieces are known for their quality workmanship and high-end materials, but its watches typically retail at attainable price points compared to the likes of Cartier or Rolex. Shop a collection of Hamilton watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
    Hamilton watches became Swiss in 2003 when the watchmaker moved from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Biel, Switzerland. While based in the U.S., the company produced watches for the winners of the 1928 World Series and was the official watch for the employees of four commercial airlines. Shop a variety of Hamilton watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.

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