Pocket Watch Database

Hamilton Watch Co.

Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Years of Operation: 1892-1969

Factory Building Status: Still standing. Building has been converted into condos.

Serial Number Lookup

Company Timeline

September 26, 1874

E.F. Bowman creates a model watch at the Adams & Perry Watch Manufacturing Co.

April 7, 1876

The first movement was produced at the Adams & Perry Watch Manufacturing Company.

August 1877

Reorganized as the Lancaster Penn. Watch Co. in Lancaster, Pensylvania.

September 1879

The Lancaster Watch Co. had manufactured 334 movements.

May 1883

Reorganized as the Lancaster Watch Co.

April 1886

Reorganized as the Keystone Standard Watch Co.

The Times, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Saturday, October 22, 1892

October 1892

The Columbian Watch Co. is organized in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with a capital of $350,000.

October 1892

The Columbian Watch Co. absorbs the defunct Aurora Watch Co. and moves the factory machinery to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

December 14, 1892

Reorganizaed as the Hamilton Watch Co.

1893

First watch is produced by Hamilton Watch Co.

January 31, 1893

The first Hamilton Watch Co. movement is sold to W.C. Davis, a 17-Jewel Openface 936 Grade Movement, Serial #15.

1928

The 940 Railroade grade watch is discontinued.

1928

Purchased the Illinois Watch Co.

1931

The Elinvar hairspring is patented and utilized in all Hamilton movements produced thereafter.

1931

Hamilton Watch Co. obtains the rights to the "Howard" name.

October 15, 1940

The 992B Grade is introduced.

1969

Last Hamilton watches are manufactured in the United States.