Hamilton Pocket Watch History

A new century a mere 8 years away. America was on the rise, as industry blossomed and chugging and chooing of trains was becoming a common sound all over the country. 1892 was the year that two entrepreneurial minds, Charles Rood and Harry Cain, purchased an older watch company (Adams and Perry) and formed the Hamilton Watch Company in Pennsylvania.

In an era of change, Hamilton found themselves in position to provide the working man with a prestigious timepiece that met the American Railway Association’s newly enacted standards. Hamilton was the most popular watch company, unrivaled in their ability to create beautiful pocket watches that were also accurate and could be counted on.

As the company grew, Hamilton became very influential among the public. Their pocket watches became a sought after item and a must have among railroad workers and everyone else. The Hamilton was an expensive watch, still it was a classy thing to own, even for someone who did not have a lot of money. For the working man, it was a need as well as a small accomplishment to be proud of.

Many began making mention of their Hamilton pocket watch in their last will and testament, leaving them mostly to their male relatives. Ladies were rarely given this privilege, as the Hamilton watch was considered a masculine watch, not fit for a woman.

The early years of the 20th century brought the wristwatch into the picture. Though Hamilton was contracted to produce these for the U.S. soldiers, they continued to produce their well loved pocket watches. After World War II, the pocket watch began to decline in po0pularity as more and more Americans became enthralled with fashion, choosing the stylish wrist watch over the pocket watch.

Hamilton enjoyed quite the prestigious position among American watch companies from around 1920 until after 1950. By then, pocket watch makers were being forced to do whatever they could to keep themselves on the map while competing with those in the wristwatch market. many had started to cut corners and Swiss movements were being imported and used in pocket watches. Pocket watch sales decline eventually took its toll with Hamilton making their last one in 1969.