Hamilton White Gold Filled Dress Style
About the Item
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Movement:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. It is worth noting that this watch only had a 12-month warranty when it was new. However, we are so confident of our workmanship and team that we offer an 18-month warranty on all our watches, even those over 100 years old.
- Seller Location:Long Beach, CA
- 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: Long Beach, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Round Dress Watch with Original Dial 1950'sBy HamiltonLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Modern / Dress Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 33mm X Diameter 2...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modernist Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tank Style with a Mid Century Design 1950'sBy HamiltonLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Morton / Art Deco Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 27mm X Width 36mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 22 Jewels / Caliber 770 DIAL / HANDS: Original Sterling Silver with 18Kt. Solid Gold Applied Numerals / Gilt Dauphine Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Black or Brown Leather, 19mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement This is a "vault find" watch, it has been locked up for nearly 50 years, which means it needs a service. We will give it a factory quality service by our finest watchmaker as part of the purchase price before it is shipped out to you. This will delay shipping for a few days of course. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This unique model by H This is a great looking and dependable watch by this legendary American House from Lancaster Pennsylvania. This watch is offered with what appears to be an original period strap and an original Hamilton buckle. While the strap is to fragile to be practical it does indicate that this watch is in nearly new condition. Hamilton was devoted to excellence from their most modest watch to their finest. For example, Hamilton Dials were made in all Sterling Silver with Solid Gold 18Kt. Applied Numerals. No American house did this on all their watches. Only the finest Swiss houses had this level of quality. This watch will keep dependable time for the next 200 years if you give it a service every so often. Hamilton History 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 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 1950s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Hamilton Gold-Filled Art Deco Watch with Articulating Lugs 1940'sBy HamiltonLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Articulated Case METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 51mm X Width 27mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber 72 DIAL / HANDS: Sterling Silver with 18Kt. Solid Gold Applied Numerals / Gilt Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This wonderful Art Deco watch was produced by the legendary American House of Hamilton, from Lancaster PA. The dial is done is Sterling Silver with Solid 18Kt. Gold Applied Numerals. Only the worlds finest Swiss Watches went to this extreme. We seldom see this model and this one is in exceptional condition. It is offered with an original Hamilton Buckle and with what we think was the original New, Old Stock Strap as well. The strap, while being new is to dried out to actually use. This watch can easily be worn every day and counted on to get you there on time, every time. Hamilton Watch Company History 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 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...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tank Style Wristwatch, circa 1950'sBy HamiltonLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilon Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 24mm x Width 38mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Cal.752 DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Applied Gold Numerals / Modified Dauphine Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 18mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This watch is fitted with a Sterling Silver dial and the applied numerals are done in 18Kt. gold. Hamilton built the navigational chronometers used by the US Navy during WW...Category
Vintage 1950s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
- Hamilton Gold Filled Art Deco Curvex Style with Original Silver Dial 1930'sBy HamiltonLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Curvex METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 22mm X Width 44mm MOVEMENT / CA...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
- Waltham White Gold Filled Art Deco Tank Style Watch American Made 1940'sBy WalthamLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 24mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewel / Caliber 750 B DIAL / HANDS: Original with Arabic Numerals / ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 17mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT Through the American civil war and two World Wars, and beyond, Waltham's legacy and spirit lives on in this wonderful vintage watch. It is truly a representation of the idea of American Exceptionalism. The wonderfully crafted design is timeless. Even after 100 years or more, this watch can dependably be worn, used and counted on to get you there on time, every time. It is versatile enough to be worn for all types of occasions and various clothes. Wear it with a suit or even for more casual occasions but, certainly, feel confident that you are wearing a piece of history. The Waltham Watch Company was an American watch manufacturing house founded in 1850 in Roxbury, Massachusetts. It was the first American company to mass-produce watches using interchangeable parts. The company's watches were known for their quality and affordability, and they quickly became popular with consumers. Waltham played a major role in the development of the American watch industry as well as establishing the concept of “mass produced” products. By the way, Henry Ford was a watchmaker, and he was inspired to build cars the same way Waltham Watches were produced, for the masses with interchangeable parts. Waltham’s success helped to make the United States a major player in the global watch market as well as promote the idea of “industrialization.” Before the Waltham Watch Company, watches were generally produced by hand, in “cottage” industries. They were owned by the wealthier class or the “working class” that needed to know the time. The company's affordable watches made them accessible to a wider range of people and helped to change the way people thought about time. Prior to this, people used their local Church bells to direct them in their daily lives. The Company continued to grow and prosper throughout the 19th century. During the American Civil War, they supplied watches to the military, and of course they grew because of this association. In 1885, they moved their headquarters to Waltham, Massachusetts, and changed their name to the American Waltham Watch Company. Waltham was a major exhibitor at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The company's exhibit at the exposition was housed in a large pavilion that was designed to resemble a factory. The pavilion was filled with watches of all shapes and sizes, as well as machinery used in the manufacturing process. The exhibit was a major success, and it helped to raise the profile of Waltham watches around the world. Amongst the visitors at the exhibition was a contingent from Switzerland. When they realized what Waltham was doing, they quickly understood that their methods were outdated and soon enough they would be a country unable to compete. They also went to the Waltham factory for a visit after the exhibition. It is said that they purchased a few of Waltham’s higher grade movements. The director of the factory said he would have them “adjusted” before they left, but they said it was not necessary. When they arrived back in Switzerland, they checked them and were shocked at the level of quality and accuracy. This prompted them to buy some of the equipment that Waltham was using so they could start building better watches that were less expensive and more accurate. Some of that machinery ended up in the small town of Schaffhausen and became The International Watch Company. They are still in business today making exceptional watches. The military, for any nation, is a powerful source of revenue for industrial contracts. So, any industry would prosper during war and Waltham continued to be a supplier to the military for over 100 years. Through WW 1...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled, White Gold
- Vintage Hamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch Size 16Located in Laguna Beach, CAHamilton pocket watch, gold-filled hunting case. 25 year guaranteed stamped inside case. Size 16, 17 jewels, 3/4 plate. The time is lever set. Very clean movement. The serial number ...Category
Mid-20th Century Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Hamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch, 21 jewels, Size 16By HamiltonLocated in Laguna Beach, CAHamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch, 21 jewels, Size 16 Hamilton gold filled pocket watch with hunting case. Grade 971, Size 16, 3/4 plate , 21 jewels, 5 ...Category
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Pocket Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- Hamilton 14 Karat White Gold Diamond Dress Watch 17 Jewels, 1950sBy HamiltonLocated in Wallkill, NY14k Solid White Gold Diamond Dress Watch. Breathtaking dress watch with an oval bezel containing 24 prong-set diamonds trimmed with 38 prong set diamonds on the lugs and the Band. Ap...Category
Vintage 1950s American Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
- Waltham Gold Fill Manual WristwatchBy WalthamLocated in Surfside, FLWaltham in gold fill on leather strap. Manual w/ subseconds. 19.5 mm case size. Circa 1935 Fine Pre-owned Waltham Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Waltham watch...Category
Vintage 1930s Wrist Watches
MaterialsGold-filled
- 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
- 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