Art-Deco inspired Hamilton gemstone bracelet
View Similar Items
Art-Deco inspired Hamilton gemstone bracelet
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2012
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Princeton, NJ
- Reference Number:Seller: JPRBR00111stDibs: LU300838572
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 and pocket watches on 1stDibs.
- Gianfranco Ferre Art Deco Inspired Lucite and Metal Cuff BraceletBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Atlanta, GAGianfranco Ferré, Italy, designed this impressive sculptural bracelet bangle. The piece features an oversized cuff shape with Art-Deco-inspired flair. The large clear Lucite band is ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Art Deco Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Important Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond BraceletLocated in London, GBAn important Art Deco sapphire and diamond bracelet, the three sugarloaf sapphires estimated to weigh 20 carats in total, accomp...Category
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, Platinum
- Art Deco Wide Diamond BraceletLocated in New York, NYDiamond and White Gold Bracelet. 608 Round Diamonds weighing approximately 9.50 Carats. 5/8 inches in width. 7.25 inches.Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond
- Cartier High Jewelry Diamond Turquoise Bracelet Deco Inspired 12.73 CaratBy CartierLocated in North Hollywood, CAThis new and amazing bracelet is from a "new" Cartier collection just recently launched in 2022. This is deco inspired with black enamel, Diamonds and Turquoise. The terminals of t...Category
2010s French Art Deco Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 18k Gold
$96,000 Sale Price20% Off - Art Deco Diamond and Emerald Bracelet in PlatinumLocated in Lucerne, CHThis magnificent bracelet is an exceptionally fine example of its era. Handcrafted in platinum and artfully à-jour-set with 492 old-cut diamonds and 62 square-cut emeralds, this brac...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Link Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Platinum
- Belperron for Boivin Art Moderne Gold and Multi-Gemstone "Boule" Cuff BraceletBy Suzanne BelperronLocated in New York, NYAn Art Moderne gold "Boule" cuff bracelet of bombé design set with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, in 18k. Suzanne Belperron, France. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity by...Category
Vintage 1940s French Retro Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsEmerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold