Hamilton Cocktail Watch 14K White Gold and 4.00CT Diamonds
About the Item
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Case Dimensions:Width: 0.56 in (14 mm)Length: 0.75 in (19 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- 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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Gruen Cocktail Watch 14K White Gold and DiamondsBy GruenLocated in New York, NYIntroducing the Gruen 1950's Ladies Cocktail Watch, a timeless blend of elegance and sophistication. Encased in a 14x14mm 14KT White Gold Square Case, this exquisite timepiece exudes...Category
Vintage 1950s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Sellita Cocktail Watch 14K White Gold and DiamondsLocated in New York, NYThis is a beautiful 1950's Swiss made Sellita Cocktail Watch. The watch is. 14K white gold and is decorated with 0.50TDW of high quality diamonds. Sellita to this day is considered ...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Paul Breguette Cocktail Watch 14K White Gold and DiamondsLocated in New York, NYPaul Breguette was a subsidiary of Ebel Watch Company. This exquisite 1970's wristwatch is 14K white gold with a diamond factory bezel. The total diamond weight is 0.60CT TDW. This w...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Glycine Cocktail Bracelet Watch 14K White Gold and DiamondsBy GlycineLocated in New York, NYThe vintage Glycine bracelet watch timepiece from the 1930s, crafted in 14Kt white gold, epitomizes timeless elegance. Featuring a manual wind movement, it boasts a silver dial exudi...Category
Vintage 1930s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Lucien Piccard 14K White Gold Pearl and Diamond Cocktail WatchBy Lucien PiccardLocated in New York, NYThis is a 1950's Lucien Piccard 14K white gold cocktail watch. The case is decorated with Akoya pearls and diamonds. The same pearls are strung to create the bracelet along with 14K ...Category
Vintage 1950s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Pearl, White Gold
- Hamilton Cocktail Watch Platinum and 7.25CT DiamondsBy HamiltonLocated in New York, NYThis is an exquisite 1950's Hamilton Platinum and Diamond cocktail watch. The watch is a piece of superb mid century watch design and is decorated with 7.25CT-TDW of high quality dia...Category
Vintage 1950s American Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Hamilton Cocktail 14k White Gold WristwatchBy HamiltonLocated in Surfside, FLHamilton Cocktail watch in 14k white gold and 0.45 carats in diamond accents G-H color, VS-SI clarity. Manual. 22 Jewels. Case size 15mm. Circa...Category
Vintage 1950s Wrist Watches
MaterialsWhite Gold
- Vintage Hamilton Ladys Platinum and 14k White Gold Diamond WatchBy HamiltonLocated in Addison, TXA stunning Ladies true vintage platinum and 14k white gold Hamilton diamond watch. The vintage patina look is something that is desired by major...Category
Early 20th Century North American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
- 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
- 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 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
- 14K Baume & Mercier White Gold & Diamond Cocktail Watch 6"By Baume & MercierLocated in Eagan, MNThis is just an elegant, classy 14K white gold Baume & Mercier wristwatch. Family/Model: Dress Cocktail/Evening. It is definitely for a smaller wrist. The band is 6 inches when clas...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold