Hamilton Cocktail 14k White Gold Wristwatch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Case Dimensions:Height: 0.6 in (15 mm)Width: 0.6 in (15 mm)
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:12 months warranty.
- Seller Location:Surfside, FL
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Surfside, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 10 days of delivery.
- Bulova Classic 14k White Gold WristwatchBy BulovaLocated in Surfside, FLVintage ladies Bulova in 14k white gold. Manual Circa 1940s. Fine Pre-owned Bulova Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Bulova Classic watch is made...Category
Vintage 1940s Wrist Watches
MaterialsWhite Gold
- Longines Classic 14k White Gold Manual WristwatchBy LonginesLocated in Surfside, FLLongines Vintage Classic in 14k white gold on tan leather strap. Manual. 25 mm case size. Fine Pre-owned Longines Watch. Certified preowned Vintage ...Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsWhite Gold
- Waltham Classic 14k White Gold Manual WristwatchBy WalthamLocated in Surfside, FLVintage Waltham in 14k white gold with an octagonal shape filagreed case with a white dial set with Roman numeral hour markers on a fabric strap with a...Category
Vintage 1910s Wrist Watches
MaterialsWhite Gold
- Hamilton Cocktail in White Gold with a White dial 14mm Manual watchBy HamiltonLocated in Surfside, FLHamilton Cocktail in 14k white gold. Manual. 14 mm case size. Fine Pre-owned Hamilton Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Hamilton Cocktail watch is made out of white gold on a 14k Whi...Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsWhite Gold
- Cocktail Watch, Platinum Diamond, 14k White Gold BandLocated in Surfside, FLVintage platinum diamond cocktail watch on a 14k white gold band. Length: 6 inches.Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsWhite Gold, Platinum
- A. Murray 14k Yellow Gold Wristwatch Ref W5226Located in Surfside, FLUnisex A. Murray 14k case, 14k bezel, leather leather band with two piece clasp to honor the famous ballroom dancer and buisnessman. Manual wind with Sub-Seconds. Certified pre-owned...Category
Vintage 1940s Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Hamilton Cocktail Watch 14K White Gold and 4.00CT DiamondsBy HamiltonLocated in New York, NYIntroducing the Hamilton 1950's 14kt Gold Diamond Bracelet Watch, a stunning blend of luxury and elegance. This exquisite timepiece features a marquise-shaped case and matching brace...Category
Vintage 1950s American Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- 14K White Gold Ornate Vintage Hamilton WatchBy HamiltonLocated in Addison, TXCreated by Hamilton, this vintage watch gives off a luxurious feel. The 14K white gold link style bracelet pairs elegantly to the 14k white gold wind wris...Category
Early 20th Century North American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
- Lady's 14k White Gold Vintage Hamilton WatchBy HamiltonLocated in Addison, TXFor a fancy night out, or a casual evening this watch is great for elegant touch to your appearance. This vintage 14K White gold watch and 14K wh...Category
Early 20th Century North American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
- Hamilton Ladies White Gold Diamond WristwatchBy HamiltonLocated in Dallas, TXManual winding. 14k white gold case with diamond bezel and Art Deco style lugs (16mm diameter). Ivory colored dial with black Arabic numerals. 14k White gold rope bracelet...Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
- Lady Hamilton Us 14k White Gold & Rose Cut Diamond Art Deco/Retro Cocktail WatchBy HamiltonLocated in MELBOURNE, AUThis absolutely beautiful Art-Deco / Retro timepiece survived in remarkable condition despite dating back to late 1940's - early 1950's Made by United States of America's luxury brand Hamilton, this cocktail watch boasts all original parts ~ An attention-grabbing tonneau-shaped Case is performed in 14K solid white gold (signed...Category
Vintage 1940s American Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
- Hamilton Yellow Gold WristwatchBy HamiltonLocated in Stamford, CT1950's Hamilton 14k yellow gold wristwatch. Rectangle dial with 9 row mesh 14k yellow gold band with a fold over safety buckle. Full one year se...Category
Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold