Hamilton Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Kiln Fired Dial – 1916

The Hamilton Watch Company was established in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with the aim of creating high-quality, American-made watches. In response to the critical need for accuracy on the nation's railroads, laws were passed in 1891 establishing set standards of accuracy, inspiring Hamilton's creation. They quickly became a leading manufacturer of pocket watches and supplied watches to the US military.

Hamilton's watches were both elegantly styled and dependable, achieving mass-produced perfection. Even today, disassembling and reassembling 100 old Hamiltons will result in 100 watches that will work perfectly with almost no adjustment, a true achievement.

During World War II, Hamilton supplied watches to the US military again and produced the world's most accurate navigational chronometers with contracts for the Navy. They also developed several new technologies for military watches. After the war, Hamilton continued to innovate and introduced several new watch designs for the future.

In the 1950s, Hamilton made a poor executive decision by launching their first electric or battery watch before all the "bugs" were worked out, leading to many faulty watches. Meanwhile, Bulova launched their version of the electric watch called the Accutron, which did not fail. The failure of Hamilton's electric watch was a significant event that ultimately led to the company's demise.

However, Hamilton's watches still live on, and parts are readily available. With only average care, an average Hamilton can last for hundreds of years. The company's commitment to excellence has never been surpassed by any other watch company.

Creator: Hamilton
Place of Origin: Switzerland
Period: 1910-1919
Date of Manufacture: 1916
Condition: Excellent