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
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, PennsylvaniaSaturday, 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.