The History of Hamilton Watches
Founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1892, Hamilton has been at the forefront of groundbreaking developments ever since. In the early days of American railroads, Hamilton pocket watches were used for accurate timing to avoid rail accidents. This earned them the distinguished title of “The Watch of Railroad Accuracy”.
In 1914, Hamilton became the official supplier to the U.S. Armed Forces during WW I, and thus they equipped hundreds of soldiers with reliable timepieces. This is an important point in Hamilton watch history, because it marked the transition of pocket watch production to the more practical and convenient wristwatch we know and use today.
Hamilton Pilotwatches
As early as 1918, a Hamilton aeronautical watch accompanied the first US Airmail service between Washington D.C., and New York City. This marked the beginning of Hamilton’s long history of producing reliable timepieces for the flying community around the world. Notably, in 1926 Admiral Richard E. Byrd became the first aviator to reach the North Pole, circling it for 13 minutes before returning to base. This pioneering flight was timed with a Hamilton watch, and lasted 15 hours and 57 minutes. Early aviators flying between California and Hawaii used Hamilton to make critical calculations of time, distance and direction as they navigated over the Pacific Ocean. Renowned for accuracy in flight, Hamilton was the official watch of the four major American commercial airlines of the day.
In 1942, consumer production was abruptly halted, in order to focus on supplying the U.S. Armed Forces during the second World War. Over one million timepieces were produced.
In Popular Culture
A Hollywood favorite, Hamilton was prominently featured in countless cult classic movies. The first appearance dates all the way back to 1932, when two Hamilton watches – a Piping Rock and a Flintridge – were featured in ‘Shanghai Express’ and were important devices that advanced the movie plot.
In 1968, Stanley Kubrick asked Hamilton to create a collection of unique, futuristic timepieces for his movie, ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’. Both the wrist watch and the desk clock turned out almost as iconic as the movie itself.
In 1990, Hamilton officially became a big screen favorite and had its timepieces featured in several movies, including ‘Men in Black’, ‘Lethal Weapon 4’, ‘Independence Day’, The Talented Mr. Ripley’ and ‘Die Hard’.
Our personal favorite Hamilton watch appearance is in Christopher Nolan’s 2014 movie ‘Interstellar’. This is the watch that saved the world, of course. A beautiful Hamilton classic, that Coop (Matthew McConaughey) left for his daughter before departing on his mission to the stars. The watch was then used as a tool to communicate coordinates in Morse code from another dimension, enabling Murph Cooper (the daughter) to complete an equation and therefore save humanity from complete destruction. As a well-deserved nod to the movie, you will find the word “Eureka” printed on the seconds hand in Morse code on the iconic Interstellar watch.
Hamilton Watch Movements
In the production of their watches, Hamilton uses their own automatic movement. Their personalized automatic calibers were born out of a collaboration with movement specialist ETA, called H-21 and H-31. Three years later the H-10, H-30, and H-40 followed, each offering an impressive 80 hours of power reserve.
Is Hamilton a Luxury Watch?
In the world of watches, luxury is defined by a reliable mechanism and masterful craftsmanship. Due to its extensive history of producing exceptional quality timepieces, Hamilton is indisputably one of the great ones in the watchmaking industry.
Where Are Hamilton Watches Made?
Hamilton relocated both the headquarters and the production facilities to Biel (or Bienne), Switzerland in 2003 when the Hamilton Watch Company became a part of the Swatch Group. The move allowed Hamilton to add the ultimate quality mark “Swiss made” to each watch produced in the new location.
Is Hamilton an American Watch Company?
Since it was founded there in 1892, Hamilton has deep roots in the United States of America. The original Hamilton factory was located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and the business spent the first 111 years of its existence there. In their own words “Hamilton watches now have the prestigious Swiss made label, but Hamilton is still American at heart, just as it was when it was first established in Pennsylvania in 1892.”.
Takeaway: Are Hamilton watches good?
Hamilton is known for a long track record of revolutionizing the timekeeping industry. Always looking for ways to improve their excellency, Hamilton was the first watchmaker to produce an electrical battery operated watch (the iconic Ventura design, as seen on Elvis Presley in 1961). True to its innovative spirit, Hamilton played an integral role in the invention of the first automatic chronograph movement, and in 1969, Caliber 11 was created.
Buying Guide: Hamilton Collections
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Hamilton Khaki Field Collection
The Khaki Field is a diverse collection. There are over 70 models in the men’s collection, ranging from quartz to handwound and automatic mechanical movements.
Read our in-depth Khaki Field collection review.
Classic army design timepieces from the Khaki Field series have been tried and proven throughout time. Rugged, sturdy, and durable, they’re ready for the outdoors and can compete with the best sport watches on the market. They’re designed for life’s explorers and are sure to meet your demands in the wild.
Hamilton Khaki Aviation Collection
Read our in-depth Khaki Aviation collection review.
Hamilton aviator watches are dependable and have a reputation for accuracy, thanks to the company’s illustrious history of servicing the aviation sector. Whether you’re searching for an automatic watch, a GMT watch, or a pilot’s chronograph, Hamilton’s Khaki Aviation collection of precise timepieces for professional pilots has the perfect watch for you. In the Khaki Aviation watches, adventure meets precision. Khaki Aviation has a big and diverse range that includes anything from technical-looking chronographs to traditional flieger designs and vintage reissues.
Hamilton Khaki Navy Collection
Read our in-depth Khaki Navy collection review.
Allow Hamilton to take you on a tour of their most popular diving watches and underwater timepieces. The Khaki Navy line, inspired by maritime pioneers and created with ocean explorers in mind, is sure to make an impact in the style stakes. These watches are at home on, in, or under the water, thanks to their luminous displays and the assurance of Hamilton excellence.
Movement: Automatic (H10)
Power Reserve: 80 hours
Diameter: 43 mm
Water Resistance: 300 M
For more information, read our in-depth Khaki Navy Scuba review.
Hamilton American Classic Collection
Hamilton’s American Classic watch collection includes chronographs and automatic timepieces. This Hamilton watch line is diverse, showcases the brand’s American roots, and is sure to include a model that matches your own style. Vintage feelings and Hamilton tradition combine to create a timepiece with classic American flair that can be worn everywhere.
Hamilton Ventura Collection
The Ventura is one of Hamilton’s most iconic timepieces, with its daring, pioneering, and unique design. Triangular timepieces are unique, and the Ventura made them famous. This unique gem is pure Hamilton, with vintage design and charm, as well as the enduring heritage of being the Elvis watch.
Hamilton Jazzmaster Collection
The Jazzmaster is a sophisticated appearance for individuals who appreciate the finer things in life, drawing on Hamilton’s long history and heritage of making high-quality men’s and women’s watches. The Jazzmaster series is known for its fine craftsmanship, and you’ll discover the perfect watch for special occasions and beyond.
Hamilton Broadway Collection
The Hamilton Broadway men’s watch collection was designed with style-conscious guys in mind. Automatic and quartz timepieces with a variety of movements give sophisticated street style for the modern urban guy. These modern timepieces are designed to be worn in the city. These watches are perfect for wearing from day to night because of their unique color and material combinations. A wide vertical line across the dials of the timepieces is a recurring design feature for this series.
