The Watch Hollywood wears most..

You'd think Rolex or Omega would be the choice of Hollywood wardrobe departments, but in fact Hamilton has laid claim to that crown.

Hamilton was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1892. and began producing pocket watches. From the very beginning, the focus was on quality and accuracy.

This lead to American railroads adopting Hamilton pocket watches as a means to avoid accidents. They were awarded the title: The Watch of Railroad Accuracy

Hamilton were also pioneers of flight. in 1918 a Hamilton aeronautical watch accompanied the first US Airmail service between Washington, D.C., and New York City.

The link to aviation was one that has never been broken.

In 1926 a Hamilton Watch was used by Admiral Richard E. Byrd when he became the first aviator to reach the North Pole. He circled it for 13 minutes before returning to base. He timed this pioneering 15 hour and 57 minute flight with the Hamilton watch below.

Having established a reputation in railroads and aviaton Hamilton were soon making another pivot into a market that has made their watch so collectable and valuable today. Military Watches.

in 1942 Hamilton ceased making watches for the public to focus on making watches for the US military. They made over 1 million watches for the Army and Navy that ensured operations were timed accurately. They were used in all weathers, wet, dry and withstood the daily actions of combat soldiers. That's why 1940's Hamilton Military watches are so sought after and cherished.

In 1957 Hamilton revolunionsied the watch industry by introdcuing the world's first electrical battery operated watch. The Ventura's unique and futuristic shield-shaped design, created by renowned industrial designer Richard Arbib, caused an instant sensation. This is another Hamilton watch that has stood the test of time and improves any watch collection.

Hamilton made headway into another market segment that is still serving them well in 2021. Hollywood. When Elvis Presley was pictured in his GI uniform on the set of his film Blue Hawaii he was

wearing a Ventura. This king of Rock n Roll staring in his Hollywood film wearing your watch does not get much better. This is why Omega have made so much of the James Bond Franchise. It helps sell watches!

More Hollywood Films followed...

In 1966 Stanley Kubrick approached Hamilton to create unique timepieces for his new, futuristic film, '2001: A Space Odyssey'.

In 1972 Hamilton invented the The Pulsar. It was the world’s first digital watch. It changed the way people tell the time forever. The display was created using LEDs activated by a button on the side of its solid gold case. Hamilton produced only 400 pieces, which sold for $2,100, more than the price of a car at the time.

This is truly groundbreaking technology and a few years later Japanese companies started producing cheap digital watches in the 10 of millions that nearly destroyed the Swiss Watch Industry. Very few people realise Hamilton started the trend.

In 1974 Hamilton was sold to SSIH, which is the previous name of what is now the Swatch Group. Although part of a new group, Hamilton was remined located in the U.S.. However it did relocate to Switzerland in 2003 so it could add "Swiss Made" to its watches.

Hamilton's close relationship with Hollywood intensified in the 1990s

Hamilton Watches appeared 'Men in Black', 'Lethal Weapon 4', 'Independence Day', 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' and 'Die Hard' to name just a few.

In 2015 Matt Damon was stuck on Mars wearing a Hamilton watch in 'The Martian'. A film by Ridley Scott.

The Khaki BeLOWZERO (left)

was used to match the strength and determination of Matt Damon's character who is left behind on a mission to Mars and had to survive on his own.

Exposure in Hollywood films is a great way to market and sell your watches and build a reputation as an aspriational brand to watch lovers across the world.

From synchronizing the first American railroads to inventing both the electric and the digital watch, Hamilton has been at the forefront of groundbreaking developments since 1892.

With over 500 major movie appearances means Hamilton is the king of Hollywood but with a very special pedigree.