HAMILTON Art Deco Platinum Diamond Watch with Box
View Similar Items
HAMILTON Art Deco Platinum Diamond Watch with Box
About the Item
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Stone:
- Case Dimensions:Length: 9.25 in (234.95 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1920
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The watch is in very good vintage condition. Besides normal surface wear, there is no apparent damage to the platinum setting, diamond numerals, enamel background, or leather band.
- Seller Location:Narberth, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: PMP5151stDibs: LU3282147413
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.
- Hayden W. Wheeler & Co. Art Deco Platinum Diamond Watch with Leather BandLocated in Narberth, PAA very stylish platinum and diamond watch from the Art Deco (ca1920s) era! This stunning timepiece features a flat octagonal face set in a sleek platinum encasement. Sparkling diamonds line the uniquely shaped face, each micro-prong set within the wide frame. On the face of the watch are black hand painted numbers and metallic black hands above a creamy background. A smooth piece of octagonal polished crystal covers the surface of the watch face, resting slightly higher than the encasement, a lovely and unique detail. Ornate engraved detail lines the edges of the watch case, and a simple winder can be found at the side. The back of the watch, which can be fully removed, is stamped on the interior "PLATINUM" and "100," alongside the makers mark for Hayden W. Wheeler & Company, Inc. Once open, the working watch movement inside is revealed. The movement itself has several marks including "DESTA WATCH CO," "UNADJUSTED SEVENTEEN," "17 JEWELS," "SWISS MADE," and "HWG." The band is made of textured black leather with black stitching, completing the design's black and white color scheme. Stamped on the underside of the band is "GENUINE LEATHER." A fabulous timepiece, this vintage ladies watch would be perfect for a special occasion or everyday wear! The octagonal platinum watch face...Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- GLYCINE Art Deco Platinum Ruby & Diamond Watch 2.50ctwBy GlycineLocated in Narberth, PAA fabulous platinum, diamond, and ruby Glycine watch from the Art Deco (ca1920s) era! This gorgeous watch has a rectangle-shaped watch face, which is surrounded by a wonderful and feminine design that is encrusted with sparkling diamonds and calibrated rubies. The clock belly has a white face with handprinted black numbers and blued steel hands. Around the face are 42 bead set single cut diamonds separated by milgrain detailing with floral motif etchings adorning the side of the watchcase and crown. Connected to each side of the centerpiece by a hinge is a platinum link containing 4 bead set single cut diamonds flanking bezel set triangle cut diamonds which is surrounded by calibrated channel set diamonds. The band of the watch is made of platinum mesh framed on each side by 48 single cut diamonds, each stone bead set into a milgrained link, making a beautifully flexible design. The watch is secured by a push catch with a bar safety feature, which is also set with an additional 6 single cut diamonds. The overall approximate diamond weight of the watch is approximately 2.50ctw. The underside of the clasp is stamped "5% Iridium Plat". The movement is a 17 jewel Swiss movement made by Glycine Watch Co., which later became renowned for their military and aviator watches...Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Platinum
- Art Deco Diamond Platinum Encrusted Pin ClipsLocated in Narberth, PAAn absolutely exquisite platinum and diamond pin clips from the Art Deco (ca1920) era! This wonderful and unusual piece is made of platinum an...Category
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Art Deco Platinum + Diamond Line Bracelet 3.5ctwLocated in Narberth, PAAn incredible diamond line bracelet from the Art Deco (ca1920s) era! Crafted in platinum, this gorgeous piece is comprised of 36 total links, each adorned with a glittering Old Europ...Category
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Link Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Art Deco Platinum Halo Onyx and Diamond RingLocated in Narberth, PAA striking ring from the Art Deco (ca1930s) era! Crafted in platinum, this ring adorns an old Mine Cut diamond within a bezel setting. The diamond, weighing approximately 2.46ct in L...Category
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, Platinum
- Art Deco Platinum + Diamond Circle Earrings 2ctwLocated in Narberth, PAA fabulous pair of earrings from the Art Deco (ca1920s) era! Crafted in platinum, these circle earrings are each set with 24 glittering Old European Cut diamonds. All of the diamonds...Category
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Hoop Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Fine Art Deco Hamilton 4.8 Carat Diamond Platinum Dress WatchBy HamiltonLocated in New York, NYElegant Art Deco period Hamilton platinum, 4.8 TCW diamond dress watch with a wide double row platinum and diamond bracelet band, high style X-form diamond details and substantial baguette and round cut diamond accents. For nearly a century, Hamilton watches have been associated with the glamour of Hollywood. In 1932, the inimitable Marlene Deitrich was the first to wear a Hamilton watch on-screen in the film Shanghai Express. Elvis Presley wore the iconic Hamilton Ventura...Category
20th Century American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Art Deco Diamond Onyx Platinum Cocktail Watch by Hamilton, Circa 1940By HamiltonLocated in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon TyneAn impressive vintage Art Deco 0.95 carat diamond and black onyx, platinum cocktail watch by 'Hamilton'; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This impressive vintage Art Deco diamond watch has been crafted in platinum. The watch has a rectangular dial with plain black Arabic hour numerals displayed within rectangular designs, the outer one marked as the chapter ring. The Art Deco watch is fitted with shaped, blued steel hands, and the face clearly displays the text 'Hamilton'. The crown/winder of this manual wind watch is plain and unembellished. The watch bezel and lugs are embellished with thirty-six pavé set eight-cut diamonds, and ornamented with two shaped black onyx panels. This fine vintage diamond cocktail watch is fitted with a platinum gold bootlace style strap which secures to the reverse with a plain flip clasp. The watch is fitted with a Swiss 17 jewels...Category
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, Platinum
- Hamilton Platinum Ladies Art Deco Styled Diamond Dress Watch, circa 1940sLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Bracelet Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm X Width 14mm MOVEM...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsPlatinum
- Hamilton Cocktail Watch Platinum and DiamondsBy HamiltonLocated in New York, NYThis is an elegant Hamilton Platinum and diamond Cocktail watch from the 1950's. The case and lugs are decorated with 2.30CT-TW F-VVS/VS of round and baguette cut diamonds. The cas...Category
Vintage 1950s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Hamilton Ladies Platinum Art Deco Evening Watch Gold Diamond Bracelet 1940'sBy HamiltonLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Evening Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum & 14Kt. Gold Bracelet CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 50mm X Diameter 14mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 22 Jewels / Caliber 757 DIAL / HANDS: White Dial with Silver Markers / Silver Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Gold Diamond Bracelet / 5 7/8 Inches or 15cm WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This great looking all original Art Deco Watch is all original and produced by the legendary American House of Hamilton. The watch has just been given a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker and keeps dependable time. We seldom see diamond dress watches in this condition. This one is very elegant and in exceptional condition. If you are looking for a spectacular watch for special evenings The wrong train, on the wrong track, at the wrong time at the end of the 19th century frequently resulted in disastrous train wrecks. In response to the critical need for accuracy on the nation’s railroads, laws were passed in 1891 establishing set standards of accuracy. All engineers and railroad workers were required to purchase and maintain their watches to keep accurate time based on set standards, about 30 seconds per week was the tolerance. This was the inspiration for The Hamilton Watch Company which was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 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 by the early 1900s, the company was supplying watches to the US military. In 1917, Hamilton introduced its first wristwatch for service men entering the first World War. The wristwatch quickly became popular with both soldiers and civilians recognizing how practical they were. Hamilton continued to grow throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and by the 1940s, the company was one of the largest watchmakers in the world. Hamilton had exceptional engineers and designers and their watches were elegantly styled as well as dependable. As a watchmaker myself I consider Hamilton to be one of the worlds “best” watches. It was mass produced perfection. Even today, you can take 100 old Hamilton’s of the same model apart and shake them up in a bag and reassemble 100 watches that will work perfectly with almost no adjustment. This is an achievement. In the early 1930’s our family store in Los Angeles was the a “Hamilton” Store. Even during the depression though Hamilton did not allow you to discount the price to sell a watch. Also, in the neighborhood was another Hamilton store and one day the owner sent in a “shill” to buy a Hamilton from us. Someone gave them a slight discount. Well, that was all it took for Hamilton to “pull the line” from us. In those days the local jewelry supply houses sold you the watches and they were all told not to sell to us. We simply contacted Gruen, and they were very excited to have a new account...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
- Hamilton Platinum Art Deco Tank Style with Original Diamond DialBy HamiltonLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Gabled Crystal Diamond Bezel METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum CIRCA: 1940's DIMENS...Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Wrist Watches