Hamilton Watch
Dennis Harbach
I've posted three pictures of the watch and am wondering what it might
be worth today and whether there is anything noteworthy about it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23642789@N04/sets/72157606838888971/
The instructions do not provide anything specific about the watch.
Printed on the back of the watch in letters too small to photograph are
the words "Hamilton" and something about 10 kt gold. The original
bracelet is gone and has been replaced with a Speidel bracelet. The
battery used in the watch is shown in the pictures and is supposedly
called a "button battery."
I'd appreciate any information about the watch anyone would like to share.
Thanks.
Revision
"Dennis Harbach"
>A friend of mine was given a Hamilton wrist watch in the early 1960's.
Your pic is in a private folder.
Sounds like maybe an original Hamilton electric with wire contacts. Most
other manufacturers waited for transistors, which allowed for a more
practical design.
http://www.electric-watches.co.uk/
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
Jack Denver
looking triangular case, it might be worth $2,000. If it is a more
conventional looking dial, something in the vicinity of $50 to 300,
depending on condition and the model.
What is noteworthy is that Hamilton was at the cutting edge of watch
technology at the time - they were the first in the world to come out with a
watch that was driven by a battery. Later they were the first to come out
with a digital electronic watch. These watches were all designed AND
manufactured in the US. But they say that the pioneer is the guy with an
arrow in his back - often the first player in a market is the one who makes
the expensive mistakes. These first products had flaws that later products
made by others did not and were costly to boot - ultimately they were market
failures.
Note that while the watch is electric it is not electronic -- basically the
battery and some electro-magnetic coils replace the spring but the watch
still depends on a balance wheel for time keeping.
"Dennis Harbach" <har...@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:PFNqk.2310$Sg....@fe60.usenetserver.com...
SWG
> Pictures don't come up. If the watch is a "Ventura" with the Jetson's
> looking triangular case, it might be worth $2,000. If it is a more
> conventional looking dial, something in the vicinity of $50 to 300,
> depending on condition and the model.
>
> What is noteworthy is that Hamilton was at the cutting edge of watch
> technology at the time - they were the first in the world to come out with a
> watch that was driven by a battery. Later they were the first to come out
> with a digital electronic watch. These watches were all designed AND
> manufactured in the US. But they say that the pioneer is the guy with an
> arrow in his back - often the first player in a market is the one who makes
> the expensive mistakes. These first products had flaws that later products
> made by others did not and were costly to boot - ultimately they were market
> failures.
>
> Note that while the watch is electric it is not electronic -- basically the
> battery and some electro-magnetic coils replace the spring but the watch
> still depends on a balance wheel for time keeping.
>
>
> news:PFNqk.2310$Sg....@fe60.usenetserver.com...
>
> >A friend of mine was given a Hamilton wrist watch in the early 1960's. I've
> >posted three pictures of the watch and am wondering what it might be worth
> >today and whether there is anything noteworthy about it.
>
> >http://www.flickr.com/photos/23642789@N04/sets/72157606838888971/
>
> > The instructions do not provide anything specific about the watch. Printed
> > on the back of the watch in letters too small to photograph are the words
> > "Hamilton" and something about 10 kt gold. The original bracelet is gone
> > and has been replaced with a Speidel bracelet. The battery used in the
> > watch is shown in the pictures and is supposedly called a "button
> > battery."
>
> > I'd appreciate any information about the watch anyone would like to share.
>
> > Thanks.
Hamilton belongs now to the Swatch Group, which has established their
U.S. headquarters in Lancaster, on the historic site of the original
Hamilton Co. In between it belonged to the Huguenin family and had its
headquarters in Biel/Bienne. Henri Huguenin finally stroke a deal with
the Swatch Group and became the President of Endura, the Group's
"Private Label" division.
Jack Denver
"SWG" <swissw...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5eb16c84-ea2f-43eb...@i76g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
I haven't been to Lancaster city recently (though I was just in the
surrounding countryside last week) , but I recall that the main Hamilton
factory with its iconic Victorian clock tower was converted to residential
condominiums many years ago. Perhaps Swatch is in some other building in
Lancaster that was once associated with Hamilton - I assume that at its peak
Hamilton must have occupied more than one structure in the city.
The Lancaster area is notable because of its population of Amish and
Mennonites, some of whom are of Swiss-German descent. The Amish maintain
unique "plain" dress (and have even kept their language - an old German
dialect) and limit their participation in the modern world for religious
reasons - they do not drive automobiles or use electricity. The sight of an
Amish farmer plowing his fields with his mule team is like a glimpse of
another century. They are also strictly pacifist and do not serve in the
military. The "plain" clothes are fastened with hooks as buttons are
reminiscent of military uniforms.
SWG
> "SWG" <swisswatch...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
Then it must be as you say, as I have never visited Lancaster myself.
Most of the Amish came from Switzerland, as followers of Jacob Amman:
quote "The beliefs and practices of the Amish were based on the
writings of the founder of the Mennonite faith, Menno Simons
(1496-1561), and on the 1632 Mennonite Dordrecht Confession of Faith.
The Amish who split from Mennonites generally lived in Switzerland and
in the southern Rhine river region. During the late 17th century, they
separated because of what they perceived as a lack of discipline among
the Mennonites."
Very close to Biel/Bienne, above 800 meters, there is a township
"Tramelan", which is the center of the various groups of Amish,
Mennonite and Annabaptist. Most of the farms in the Southern part of
Jura (the part which has remained in canton Bern) are still held by
them and / or descendant of them who have rejoined the main Protestant
faith). They speak Swiss German at home and go to the French speaking
school, thus becoming bilingual. Indeed, they are very peaceful and
hard working people.