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.
Vintage Hamilton Watch in 14k Gold and Diamond Cuff Bracelet, 1950s
By Hamilton
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Hamilton watch embedded in cuff bracelet made of 14k gold and decorated with diamonds. Period: 1950s Measurements: length: 15 cm widt...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Barry Kieselstein Cord 2004 Sterling Silver & 14k Gold Frog Flower Cuff Bracelet
Located in Honolulu, HI
Barry Kieselstein Cord Cuff Bracelet in sterling silver and14k yellow gold. The bracelet features a 3-D frog in between 2 3-D flowers with 14k yellow gold petals. Hallmarked "Barry Kieselstein Cord" and stamped "2004," "925," "14K," "Thailand," on the inside. This cuff bangle measures 29 mm wide, 58 mm long and weighs 78.5 grams. This is a pre-owned Barry Kieselstein Cord bracelet...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
White Diamond Teeth Cuff Memento Mori Open Bangle Bracelet J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Teeth Cuff Bracelet White Diamond Black Enamel 14k Gold Plated Memento Mori Open Bangle Designer: J DAUPHIN The Teeth Cuff is a rigid open band in 14k gold plated brass, the band f...
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
Light Blue Enamel Cuff Bracelet Blue Sapphire Diamond Divine Child
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Natural Blue Sapphire Diamond Divine Child Cuff Blue Enamel 14k Gold Plated Designer: J Dauphin The Divine Child Cuff Bracelet is a sculptural statement piece handcrafted in 14k gol...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
Diamond Bracelet Cuff Antique Diamond Setting Prongs Silver Open Bangle
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diamond Cuff Bracelet Victorian Prong Setting Gold Plated Silver Detail Thin Bangle Designer: J DAUPHIN The Diamond Cuff is a thin rigid open band in gold plated brass with silver ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
Diamond Star Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel Brutalist 14k Gold Plated
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diamond Star Stud Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel Open Bangle 14k Gold Plated Brass Size: Small/ Medium 55 mm diameter Designer: J DAUPHIN The Star Stud Cuff is a rigid open band in ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel, Brass
Black Diamond Cuff Brutalist Stud Barcelet Blue Enamel Gold Plated J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Diamond Cuff Brutalist Stud Bracelet Midnight Blue Enamel 14k Gold Plated Eight Pointed Star Designer: J DAUPHIN The Star Stud Cuff is a rigid open band in 14k gold plated ...
Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
John Hardy Classic Chain Bracelet with Black Sapphire in Sterling Silver
By John Hardy
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Brand: John Hardy Metal: Sterling Silver Metal Purity: AG 925 Bracelet Width: 6.45 mm wide Bracelet Length: 7.5" Gemstone: Black S...
Sapphire, Sterling Silver
$9,995
W 0.37 in Dm 2.29 in L 3.04 in
GIA Natural Jadeite Jade Pale Green & Brown Hinged Bangle 14K Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
GIA Natural Jadeite Jade Pale Green & Brown Hinged Bangle 14K Gold. Comes with GIA report #2235035266. A magnificent jade bangle with beautifully engraved hinge and clasp. The Jade has a very pleasant pale green with a brownish patch that creates a gorgeous contrast with the yellow gold hinge & clasp. The jade is translucent and has a beautiful natural look. The 14k yellow gold hinge and clasp are hand-engraved in botanical floral design. The clasp is equipped with a safety chain for added security. The inside diameter of the bangle is 58mm and would fit wrist size up to 53 mm. The bracelet is 9.37mm thick. The total weight is 55.9 grams. This is a vintage pre-owned Jade bangle in very good condition. Please ask any questions before bidding, serious buyers only please. Bracelet Specification: Style: Hinged jade Bangle...
Jade, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Black Enamel Bangle Bracelet Emerald Diamond J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
J Dauphin Emerald Heart Bangle 14k Gold-Plated Black Enamel Size Small/ Medium A sculptural 14k gold-plated brass hinged bangle featuring a central heart-shaped natural emerald pai...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
John Hardy Bracelet with Black Sapphire in Sterling Silver
By John Hardy
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Brand: John Hardy Metal: Sterling Silver Metal Purity: AG 925 Bracelet Width: 9.27 mm wide Bracelet Circumference: 6.67" Bracelet ...
Sapphire, Sterling Silver
Black Diamond Cuff Bracelet 14k Gold Plated Black Enamel
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Diamond Cuff Bracelet 14k Gold Plated Black Enamel Designer: J DAUPHIN This black enamel diamond cuff bracelet by J DAUPHIN is crafted in 14k gold-plated brass and structured...
Black Diamond, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
Emerald Cuff Bracelet Emerald Clover Black Enamel Gold Plated J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Luck Emerald Cuff Bracelet Emerald Clover Black Enamel Gold Plated Silver Designer: J Dauphin The Emerald Clover Bracelet is a structural statement piece handcrafted in 14k gold-pla...
Emerald, Gold Plate, Enamel
Diamond Gold Five Station Cuff Bracelet
By Hamilton
Located in Princeton, NJ
On point and on trend: the modern cuff bracelet. Flexible five row woven bracelet with diamond stations, set in 18k rose gold. Perfect to wear over the sleeve for a chic style, or...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Amethyst Silver Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Hamilton
Located in Princeton, NJ
A truly distinctive cuff bracelet in 18k rose gold and sterling silver. With vivid amethysts and pink tourmalines, this piece is a powerful style statement. Accented with a black r...
Amethyst, Tourmaline, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Stunning Blue Topaz Aquamarine Silver Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Hamilton
Located in Princeton, NJ
Exceptional wide cuff bracelet with pave blue topaz, aqua gemstones and diamonds, set in 18k yellow gold and sterling silver. Blue topaz: 59.67 carats total weight Aquamarin...
Aquamarine, Topaz, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Brown Diamond Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Hamilton
Located in Princeton, NJ
Exquisite link cuff bracelet with brown set in 18k rose gold. Diamonds weigh 3.75 carats total
Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond Gold Link Cuff Bracelet
By Hamilton
Located in Princeton, NJ
Distinctive link cuff bracelet with alternating round brilliant and rose-cut diamonds set in 18k yellow gold. Diamonds weigh 3.40 carats total. Diamonds: rose-cut; G-H; VS1; ...
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Sculptural Diamond Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Hamilton
Located in Princeton, NJ
Stunning open cuff bracelet with diamonds , total 3.52 cts. Handcrafted in 18k rose gold. 265 diamonds: H-I; SI 1; total wt: 3.52 carats
Diamond, 18k Gold
18k White Gold and 21 Carat Diamond Cuff Bracelet-Original Retail $95, 000
By Hamilton
Located in Princeton, NJ
Comfortable is not a word often associated with fine jewelry, let alone diamonds. But this bracelet, a flexible cascade of precious stones, is just that. Twelve rows of gems, each on...
Diamond
Hamilton Lady's White Gold Diamond Flip Cover Wristwatch
By Hamilton
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
A beautiful ladies Hamilton watch. The watch features a hidden dial, in all 14k white gold with two rows of diamonds. The cover is on a hinge t...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Distinctive Ceylon Sapphire Bead Bracelet
By Hamilton
Located in Princeton, NJ
Stunning cuff bracelet with fine blue Ceylon sapphire beads set in a stunning multi-row design. In 18k white gold with diamond spacers and clasp. Tot...
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond Gold Flower Cuff Bracelet
By Hamilton
Located in Princeton, NJ
Stunning piece showcasing a distinctive18k white gold flower design. Open work diamonds with over 8 carats of rose-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds. Pave set diamonds on petals. D...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Extraordinary Diamond Platinum Bracelet
By Hamilton
Located in Princeton, NJ
A truly spectacular, one-of-a-kind piece. A re-creation from our archives, this Art Deco design inspired bracelet is a classic representation of The Art Deco movement. During the ...
Diamond, Platinum