937, a hunting case, 17-jewel, adjusted to 5 positions, pocket watch movement was also released in 1893, manufactured until 1914, for those who preferred a hunting case watch. Originally designed with a single-roller escapement, it was upgraded to double-roller escapement around 1906. It was manufactured to meet railroad standards, introduced in 1893, and continued to be manufactured until 1915. 936, an open face, 17-jewel, adjusted to 5 positions, lever set movement, was the first watch made under the Hamilton name. By the turn of the century Hamilton marketing adopted the slogan 'Hamilton – The Railroad Timekeeper of America.' 18 Size Movements Manufactured for Railroad Service For about 50 years, over 50% of the pocket watches it produced were the high grade necessary for use in the railroad market. The rugged, precision watch that Hamilton produced became a favorite among railroad watch inspectors and personnel. positioned itself as a manufacturer of quality watches for the railroad market. in 1894.įrom the start, the Hamilton Watch Co. Charles Rood was elected President of the Hamilton Watch Co. 936, which was intended for sale to the expanding railroad market. Production began on a new high quality 18-size, 17-jewel, open face, full-plate nickel movement, designed by Henry J. The former Keystone Standard plant was enlarged by adding an east wing and the machinery from both companies was combined to manufacture the new Hamilton Watch. The Hamilton name was selected to honor Andrew Hamilton and his son James, original owners of the site of Lancaster, credited with founding the city of Lancaster.Īurora machinery was loaded into in railroad cars and moved to Lancaster late in the Fall of 1892. Bausman was elected President of the new company. and the Hamilton Watch Company was established in October 1892. The Keystone Standard Watch Company was merged with Aurora Watch Co. 2 In October Charles Rood and his Lancaster associates purchased the Aurora Watch Company of Aurora, Illinois. Williamson, purchased the Keystone Standard Watch Company factory following a bankruptcy auction. In June 1892 a group composed of mostly Lancaster residents, including J.W.B. By mid-1891 Henry Cain began designing a new line of railroad style movements. reopening the Aurora factory in October 1890. Cain became superintendent of the Aurora Watch Co. had been producing high-grade and mid-grade watches since 1884, however the company had gone into receivership in late 1889. Rood purchased the the Aurora Watch Company in Aurora, Illinois at auction. In August 1890 a group of Aurora investors including Henry Cain and Charles D. Cain left by mid-1890, and the Keystone Standard Watch Company soon went into bankruptcy. Henry J Cain replaced Bitner as superintendant in mid-1889 and began reorganizing the factory with the goal of introducing a new product line. The company was reorganized again in 1886, this time as the Keystone Standard Watch Company, primarily selling lower quality watches. The Lancaster Watch Company continued to suffer financial pains. Abraham Bitner gained control of the company in 1884, he was also the general manager / factory superintendant. in 1878, and the Lancaster Watch Company in May 1879. Following more financial difficulties, the company reorganized again forming the Lancaster, Pa., Watch Co. In need of additional capital to market their product, the company was reorganized, forming a new corporation, the Lancaster, Pa., Watch Company which restarted production in September 1877. In June 1876 Adams & Perry went into receivership. Watch production began in 1875, the first movement was completed in April, 1876. Construction of a new brick factory building, designed by Chicago-architect Clarence Luther Stiles in the Second Empire style, located along the Columbia Turnpike, began in the Fall of 1874. Perry, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in September 1874. The Hamilton Watch Company traces its roots to the Adams & Perry Watch Company, founded by John C.

Hamilton pocket watch