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About Hamilton Watches

Hamilton played a pioneering role in the history of railroad timekeeping. Founded in 1892, the company began its story developing pocket watches but soon began shaping the way that American railroads began adhering to methods of accurate timekeeping in and around the year 1912. Today, Hamilton boasts a wide and varied range of timepieces, some tailored to serve as military wristwatches, others with a vintage aesthetic that harkens back to the successes of its past, Others are wholly modern. Later in the brand’s history, Hamilton began developing watches for the US Forces during WWI for use in heavy combat. During this time the watch industry was changing. The need for a more functional watch compared to those worn as pieces of jewellery had never been more apparent.

From around 1920 onwards, Hamilton began specialising in aviation tools and developed several models for American commercial airlines. Around a decade later a Hamilton watch made it to the silver screen when it appeared in the Hollywood movie, Flintridge in 1932. Despite its success in creating watches that looked modern and fashionable for their time, Hamilton continued in the realm of military wristwatches during the Second World War. During this time, over a million watches were made for the US Armed Forces. Having won an Army Navy E award for a marine chronometer, it was clear that Hamilton had found its niche within the industry. The Hamilton Frogman was later launched in 1951, appearing on a film set once again. Following this, Hamilton’s first electric watch was developed 6 years later, boasting a unique style designed by Richard Arbib.

Helping to stylize a Hamilton on the wrist was Elvis Presley who first wore the Venture watch on his wrist in 1961. It featured in the musical comedy, Blue Hawaii and became a symbolic look of the rock and roll scene during this time. One pinnacle point in Hamilton’s prestigious history came in 1969 with the release of the brand’s very first automatic chronograph watch. The Calibre 11, which powered this timepiece was superseded by the company’s first digital watch not long after named the Hamilton Pulsar watch. It featured an innovative LED display to assist with legible timekeeping and was remarkably easy to operate thanks to a button located on the side of its gold case. Five years later, Hamilton was sold to SSIH, now known as the Swatch Group. Despite being founded in Pennsylvania, the Hamilton watchmaking facilities now reside in Biel, Switzerland where each timepiece is assembled and designed. The classic looking watches which followed during the 1970s were the Hamilton Wilshire, Bolton and Ardmore models.

Over the last two decades, Hamilton has kept its hand in developing wristwatches for the aeronautical industry, creating timepieces for the Red Bull Air Race and the Swiss Aerobatic Association. In 2011 Hamilton created its first in-house automatic movement named the H 21 and H 31. It would take a further three years for other movements to join these calibres, namely the H 10, H 40 and H 30. Some of the brand’s more advanced mechanical movements today are equipped with impressive 80 hour power reserves, making them the first choice of watch for those travelling frequently on business, as well as those who have a natural preference for classic pilot inspired watches. The Hamilton Khaki Flight Timer was created not long after Hamilton’s first two in house automatic movements, securing the brand’s role as a successful innovator of professional pilots watches.

Since then, Hamilton has created a wristwatch for the Intersteller film and developed the Khaki BeLOWZERO timepiece for Ridley Scott's epic adventure, The Martian. Its also celebrated the 60th anniversary of its iconic Ventura watch. From timepieces built specifically for the American Railroad to its first electric watch, Hamilton watches remain a solid name within the industry, continuing to develop affordable reliable wristwatches for pilots, businessmen and the style conscious alike.

View the Hamilton Watch Collection

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