Powered by a tiny 1.5 volt battery guaranteed to run the watch for more than a year, the new watch completely eliminated the need for a mainspring.
In January 1957, Hamilton introduced the world's first electric wristwatch, a breakthrough for the industry and the first basic change in portable timekeeping since the early 16th century. The first Hamilton chronometers were delivered to the Navy in February 1942, and at their peak Hamilton was making 500 chronometers per month! Prior to WWII, such highly accurate instruments were only produced abroad. During World War II, Hamilton ramped-up production of several models of chronometer to meet the US Armed Forces (particularly the US Navy's) need for an extremely accurate timepiece which could be used for navigation at sea. This trend caused a major shift in American watch production, with a new emphasis on producing wristwatch models for both men and women. Hamilton Military WatchesĪmerican soldiers during World War I preferred the smaller size and convenience of the wristwatch to the "old-fashioned" pocket watches. Although never extremely active in the manufacture of "Howard" watches, Hamilton has produced small quantities under this brand name. Howard Watch Company were acquired by Hamilton in 1931. The Hamilton-Sangamo Corporation was sold in 1931 to General Time Instruments, Inc. The Hamilton-Sangamo Corporation was formed in 1929 by the Hamilton Watch Company and the Sangamo Electric Company of Springfield, Illinois to market a new line of electric clocks. Miller, vice-president, left Lancaster to become its general manager. In 1927 Hamilton purchased the Illinois Watch Company of Springfield, Illinois and Robert E. By the turn of the century it came to be known as "Hamilton – The Railroad Timekeeper of America." In fulfilling the railroads' requirements for accuracy, it also filled the needs of the general public for a timepiece of high quality. The rugged, precision watch that Hamilton produced became a favorite among railroad watch inspectors and personnel. The Hamilton Watch Company was founded in 1892 and set out to serve the railroad market with accurate timepieces.
Cain of Springfield, Massachusetts represented the Aurora interests.
Among the leading business and professional men of Lancaster who founded the Hamilton Watch Company were J. Aurora machinery was moved to Lancaster in summer of 1892. Hamilton Watch was founded by merging Keystone with the Aurora (Illinois) Watch Company. Hamilton was granted the land by William Penn's heirs and is credited with founding the city of Lancaster with his son James. The name, Hamilton, was selected to honor Andrew Hamilton, original owner of the Lancaster site on which the factory was situated. In that year, the Hamilton Watch Company came into existence as a result of yet another reorganization. Nevertheless, the financial problems persisted until 1892.
The Lancaster Watch Company continued to suffer growing pains and was reorganized again in 1884, this time as the Keystone Standard Watch Company. Lancaster citizens came to their rescue in 1877, raising $225,000, and the reorganized company was renamed the Lancaster Watch Company. Like so many infant industries, Adams and Perry did not have enough capital to market their product. They brought skilled watchmakers to Lancaster and began production in 1875. Its founders possessed a good combination of skills: Mr. The Adams and Perry Watch Company was built right beside the turnpike. Grant was President of the United States and Conestoga wagons creaked their way along the Lancaster Turnpike, as citizens heeded the call of Horace Greely to "Go West." Another form of pioneer was building a factory in the pastoral community of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Hamilton factory: Using a precision scale to fitīalance screws to a balance.