Hamilton - The American Brand Since 1892

Did you know that in 1957, Hamilton introduced the world's first electric (battery-powered) watch, called VENTURA? www.hamiltonwatch.com

Did you know that both the headquarters and the production of Hamilton moved in 2003 from the USA to Biel in Switzerland?

Did you know that in 1972, Hamilton designed and produced the Pulsar, the first LED digital watch ever put on the market? Time for America, p. 228/247

Did you know that American explorer Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd used a Hamilton during his historic flight over the South Pole? Time for America, p. 17

Did you know that each year, Hamilton hosts the Hamilton behind the Camera Awards in Hollywood to honor special artists for their individual impact on the film industry? www.hamiltonwatch.com

Did you know that in the 1930`s Hamilton was the official watch of TWA, Eastern, United and Northwest airlines, as well as partner of the first coast - to - coast air services in the US? www.hamiltonwatch.com

Did you know that Nicolas Ivanoff's aerobatic airplane reaches speeds up to 450 kmph and encounters forces up to 12 g. To put this in context, when a space capsule is taking off, the thrust is no more than about 8 g.

Did you know that World`s smallest oil refinery was owned and operated by Hamilton? It produced only four quarts of a delicate bearing lubricant annually. Time for America, p. 101

Did you know that Hamilton hired Richard Arbib, a talented New York based designer, to design the Ventura? In the 1950's most objects had taken on a distinctly futuristic look. Cars, furniture, appliances, architecture, and even jukeboxes were influenced by the national fascination with rockets, space travel, and the future… but the watches were generally simple, round and uninspired. As they prepared to market the world's first electric watch, Hamilton knew that the novelty of the technology would guarantee initial public and press interest in the "watch of the future." However, to ensure that this new invention would be discussed and noticed well into the future, something more was needed. Hamilton emphasized the unconventional nature of the watch, by creating a unique, shield-shaped case and indexes that resembled atoms. For over 50 years later, the Ventura is a best seller.

Did you know that the company was named after Andrew Hamilton, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives back in the eighteenth century, and owner of the site of the original watch factory in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Time for America, p. 46/47

Did you know that Walt Disney wore a Hamilton?

Did you know that Hamilton created a special Yankee watch in 1928? The owner of the NY Yankees, Jacob Rupperts, wanted to honor his team for winning the World Champion title. The gift of a Hamilton watch became a Yankee tradition that continued for many years. Recently Lou Gehrig's Piping Rock was sold at an auction for over 155'000 USD. Time for America, p. 141 / 142

Did you know that in 1961, Elvis Presley personally selected a Ventura to wear in the film "Blue Hawaii"? www.hamiltonwatch.com

Did you know that Hamilton constructed a clock to record Earth and Martian time? Time for America, p. 210

Did you know that the first Hamilton watch wasn`t completed until late 1893, almost a full year after the founding of the company? Time for America, p. 50

Did you know that in 1962, John F. Kennedy received a Hamilton watch with a photo engraved of his children, Caroline and John?

Did you know that in 1961 Elvis Presley personally selected a Ventura in the film "Blue Hawaii"? www.hamiltonwatch.com

Did you know that the producer Stanley Kubrick approached Hamilton in 1966 to make unique timepieces for his futuristic film 2001: A Space Odyssey? To produce the eye-catching wristwatch and the desk clock, the Hamilton's designers bought a strip of rubber in a neighborhood shoe repair shop, cut it up and used as watchband. At that time the watch could not be commercialized. A new edition of the watch was launched in 2007 under the name X-01, followed by the ODC X-02. Both timepieces are now available on www.hamilton-lab.com.

Did you know that the Pan Europ was equipped with the famous caliber 11, considered as one of the first automatic chronographs. It was developed by several companies comprising Hamilton/Büren in 1969. Hamilton used the Calibre 11 for the first time in the 1971 version of the Hamilton Pan Europ.

Did you know that Hamilton has developed the new pilot watch Khaki Flight Timer, in close cooperation with Air Zermatt, Switzerland's prestigious and highly skilled helicopter rescue and transport service?

Did you know that During World War II, Hamilton stopped the production of watches for consumers to concentrate on the huge task of providing the forces with a total of one million timepieces? www.hamiltonwatch.com

Did you know that Hamilton produced an internal newspaper called, Timely Topics, which was published from 1912 till 1982? Time for America, p. 108 (it was a company publication)

Did you know that Hamilton twice received twice the Army-Navy "E" Award during the WWII? Hamilton is the only manufacturer with two stars in its flag and the only one that has received the award for the production of precision timepieces. Time for America, p. 111/112

Did you know that Hamilton produced the Khaki watch for the government for quite a few years?

Did you know that Hamilton's first best seller (the 18-size 940 railroad pocket watch) was sold for USD 35.00? 205,815 pieces of this watch were produced between 1898 and 1928. Time for America, p. 23/

Did you know that Hamilton's first slogan was "The watch of railroad accuracy"? It was used from 1893 till 1953. Time for America, p. 26 + 134

Did you know that the first Hamilton pocket watches were known as the watches of Railroad accuracy? They kept train drivers on precisely the same schedule and helped reduce the number of train crashes in the US?

Did you know that shortly after the foundation of Hamilton, about half of Hamilton's employees were women? Time for America, p. 49

Did you know that in the 1890ies chickens were kept in the grass outside the factory for their eggs? Time for America, p. 54

Did you know that in 1906, an 18-year old watch maker from Neuchâtel/Switzerland traveled all the way to the U.S because he wanted to work for Hamilton? He was hired on the spot and worked for Hamilton till 1918. Time for America, p. 54

Did you know that Hamilton launched its first lady watch (an O-size pendant watch named "Lady Hamilton") in 1908?Time for America, p. 58

Did you know that Hamilton's first wristwatch for men was offered in 1919? Time for America, p. 84

Did you know that Hamilton was the only watch company in 1940 to reply to the U.S Navy bid to supply 40 chronometers. The plaque accompanying the Hamilton Marine Chronometer displayed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC says: " … To produce such a superlative instrument under the handicap of wartime conditions is a great triumph for its makers." By 1970 Hamilton produced over 14000 marine chronometers.

Did you know that in the 1950s, Hamilton was not only producing watches, but also air conditioning units, mechanical time meters and drive bands etc.? Hamilton created an Allied Products Division and a parent company structured to do business in three main areas: watches, defense products and industrial materials.Time for America, p. 163

Did you know that in 1959, Hamilton purchased the Swiss watch making company Huguenin Fils, S.A., located in Bienne? Founded in 1857, the company was one of the pioneers among watchmakers in the mountains of Neuchâtel. Time for America, p. 166 / 167

Did you know that in the early 60s, Hamilton started to be distributed internationally? The newly created export department set up subsidiary companies in Canada, England and Belgium, and established distributorships in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela and other countries.

Bill Wolfe (Export Director) said that the new electrics were his "door openers" when he launched the international division.Time for America, p. 195

Did you know that in the 1980s, the authors of American Wristwatches (…) said: "Hamilton has been called by many the Patek Philippe of America, but [in fact] that company should be flattered to be known as the Hamilton of Europe."Time for America, p. 94

Did you know that the launch of the world's first wrist Time calculator in late 1973 made big news? At Christmas, when Betty Ford was asked at a White House press conference what gift the President wanted. She replied that he would like to have the Pulsar Calculator Watch he had seen advertised in the New york Times." Time for America, p. 251

Did you know that Hamilton was one of the first sister companies of the Swatch Group? The ownership of Hamilton Watch company passed completely into foreign hands on May 16, 1974, when SSIH (previous name of Swatch Group) followed through on options granted under the November, 1971, agreements.

Did you know that by 1966, 40% of Hamilton's movements were being manufactured in Swiss factories? This shift had begun with the acquisition of Huguenin in 1959 and of Buren in the 1960s, both of which were based in Biel.

Did you know that in the 1950s, Hamilton also sold silverware? In 1959 they acquired the company Wallace Silversmiths, Inc., a 125-year-old silverware manufacturing company. Time for America, p. 165

Did you know that Hamilton had 2,100 employees in 1965?

Did you know that Buren's ultra-thin self-winding caliber, used for the Hamilton model Thin-O-matic in 1960s was awarded with the Prix d'Honneur at the 1964 Swiss National Exposition in Lausanne?