If you are considering purchasing a vintage wrist watch I would recommend a Hamilton Vintage Watch. They provide excellent workmanship and movements. There are a large variety available, they provide good value for money and an excellent monetary investment. These factors all make Hamilton Vintage Watches a sought after timepiece by vintage watch collectors.
History of the Hamilton Watch Company
The Hamilton Watch Company was established in 1892, when the Keystone Standard Watch Company was forced into bankruptcy and sold at a sheriff's sale to a group of Lancaster, Pennsylvania entrepreneurs whose "objective was to build only watches of the highest quality."
Hamilton Railroad Watch
Its first series of pocket watches, the Broadway Limited, was known as the "Watch of Railroad Accuracy," and Hamilton became popular by making accurate railroad watches. These were specialized timepieces that once were crucial for safe and correct operation of trains in many countries, including England, the United States, Canada, etc. A Hamilton Railroad pocket watch can sell for around the 400-600 US dollars range.
Hamiltons First Wrist Watch
Hamilton introduced its first wristwatch in 1917. This watch was designed to appeal to men entering World War I and contained the 0-sized 17-jewel 983 movement originally designed for women's pendent watches. The introduction of the 0-sized wristwatch was the start of a line of wristwatches that included some of the finest American wristwatches made.
In 1928 Hamilton purchased the Illinois Watch Company. Some of the most collectible early Hamilton wristwatches include: The Oval, The Tonneau, The Rectangular, The Square Enamel, The Coronado, The Piping Rock, The Spur, The Glendale, The Pinehurst, The Langley, The Byrd, The Cambridge, and The Flintridge. Many models came in solid gold and gold filled cases.
Hamilton Marine Chronometer
During World War II, production of consumer watches was stopped, with all watches manufactured being shipped to troops. More than one-million watches were sent overseas. The company was extremely successful in producing marine chronometers and deck watches in large numbers to fill the needs of the US Navy. This achievement was a milestone in industrial history and represents the only time a true precision timekeeper was produced on a mass production scale.
1957 Hamilton Electric Ventura Watch
In 1957, Hamilton introduced the world's first electric watch, the Hamilton Electric 500. The idea of a watch which never needed winding was very exciting to consumers back in the 1950's who were not only tired of always winding their watches, but were also captivated by progress and modernity. The Hamilton Electric was an instant hit. Its popularity was enhanced by the fact that Hamilton released a number of very dramatic case styles with non-traditional asymmetrical styling
Hamilton Pulsar Watch
In 1972 Hamilton introduced the Pulsar. It was the world's first electronic digital watch and used an LED display. Seiko Corporation acquired the brand in 1980.
The Hamilton name brand is currently owned by The Swatch Group Ltd.. Swatch Group Hamilton brand watches have grown increasingly popular. Modern Hamilton watches no longer use proprietary "in house" movements, instead using movements made by The Swatch Group's movement making subsidiary, ETA.
In the late 1980's and early 1990's, Hamilton began a marketing campaign that resulted in a comeback. Vintage designs were coming back in style and Hamilton had a large portfolio of popular designs from the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's to draw from. Playing on this resurgence, Hamilton replicated several of these original designs such as the Ardmore, Boulton, Cabot, Piping Rock, Spur, Wilshire, and the 1957 Hamilton Ventura. These reissued watches incorporate a modern Swiss made quartz movement.
Purchasing a Vintage Hamilton Watch
The common models are priced much more reasonably, even the ones in gold cases. Many of the models have the "tank style" or rectangular case. It is a classic look and quite dignified. Most of these date to the 1930s -1950s and are abundant in the marketplace.
If buying on eBay, it is a good idea to make sure you are buying from a reputable dealer who has a good return policy. You can then take the watch to a professional watch repair place to ensure that you bought a good watch. It is essential to find a trustworthy repair store if you plan on getting involved with vintage watches.