Hamilton, which has a long history rooted in American culture, has now moved its base to Switzerland and develops its own movements. Let's take a look at the appeal of Hamilton, where you can find highly designed military watches and urban, stylish watches.
What is Hamilton?
Founded in the United States, Hamilton has established a solid reputation for the precision and design of its watches in 20th century American culture and history.
In 1974, the company became a subsidiary of SSIH, the predecessor of the current Swatch Group, and in 2003 moved its headquarters and production facilities to Bienne, Switzerland.
Let's take a look at the history of how Hamilton, which now plays a role in the mid-range of the Swatch Group, established its brand.
History as a railway watch
Hamilton was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA in 1892. Founded using the assets of another watch manufacturer, Hamilton gained fame from the start for its advanced pocket watch technology.
Hamilton rose to prominence during the early days of railroading in America.
At the time, railway companies had no way to measure time accurately, and suffered from frequent accidents.
Hamilton's accurate pocket watches made a significant contribution to reducing railroad accidents, and in 1912 it was awarded the title "The Watch of Railroad Accuracy."
History as a military watch
When World War I broke out in 1914, there was a demand for railway clocks that could accurately measure the travel times of troops.
Hamilton's pocket watches, which had already established themselves as railroad watches, were adopted as military watches by the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army.
Demand for watches that could measure time quickly and accurately increased on the battlefield, and in 1917 the prototype of Hamilton's first wristwatch, the "KHAKI," was born.
In 1942, as World War II reached a turning point, the company ceased production of general-purpose watches at the request of the U.S. government, and by 1945 had delivered over one million watches for military use.
Even after the war, Hamilton continued to partner with various military forces and military academies around the world, receiving military feedback and incorporating it into the evolution of its khaki collection.
What is the appeal of Hamilton?
Hamilton has a long history, having been adopted as the official watch for the regular airmail service between Washington DC and New York in 1918.
Furthermore, since 1932, the brand's watches have appeared in over 500 films, making it a representative watch brand that is inseparable from American culture.
Here we will explain the variety of collections and design that have been born from Hamilton's deep history.
A diverse collection
Hamilton has amassed a monumental collection that reflects its deep connection to American culture and history.
Khaki, which was born in 1917, continued to develop as "Khaki Field," "Khaki Navy," and "Khaki Aviation" for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, respectively.
Three other important collections include the Ventura, which has its roots in the battery-powered watch released in 1957; the Jazzmaster, which pays homage to jazz, which originated in America; and the American Classic, which encapsulates Hamilton's history.
Adding to these the "Broadway" collection, which was added in 2016, the brand now offers seven collections, each with its own unique characteristics.
Designs are diverse
Hamilton watches are based on sophisticated design and attractive visuals, due to their ties to the film industry.
Special models of the Ventura are sometimes made in response to requests from the fashion industry, and the Jazzmaster also has a strong fashion element.
The Khaki Field may look rugged at first glance, but it can easily be swapped for a durable NATO strap or a high-quality leather strap, allowing you to change your style to suit your mood.
