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Hamilton Watch Co. was in operation from 1892-1969 and manufactured some of the highest end, most accurate watches ever produced. Manufacturing of Hamilton watches took place at their facility in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
This Hamilton timepiece, manufactured in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1936, features a distinctive secometer complication and is powered by Hamilton’s Grade 912, a 17-jewel in-house movement produced from 1923 to 1937. The secometer was an optional feature offered on select Hamilton timepieces, replacing the traditional seconds hand with a rotating disc that displays the passage of seconds. Produced in relatively small numbers, surviving examples are uncommon, particularly those with original dials preserved in near-mint condition like this one. The silver dial features bold Arabic numerals in the classic American railroad style, surrounded by a clean outer minute track with prominent indices at five-minute intervals. The original flame-tip hands retain their distinctive heat-plum finish, applied by Hamilton at the time of manufacture in 1936. Their rich plum hue provides beautiful contrast against the silver dial, completing a design that is both highly legible and visually elegant.
The movement was carefully restored by hand in our workshop in Little Rock, Arkansas. Screws and steel hardware were thermally blued over an alcohol lamp to improve corrosion resistance while adding depth and visual contrast (read more here). The jewel chatons, gear train, balance, and balance weights were individually hand polished to restore their original golden brilliance. The result is a movement that looks much as it did when it first left the factory with rich colors, polished surfaces, and intricate details of the original craftsmanship brought back to life.
The secometer was one of the few complications incorporated into traditional American watchmaking. Rather than using a conventional seconds hand, the secometer features a rotating disc that displays the passage of seconds. As the movement runs, the disc continuously rotates beneath the dial, creating a distinctive visual effect that sets these timepieces apart from traditional second hand designs.
The timepiece is housed in our 316L stainless steel conversion case, designed with adjustable lugs for easy winding and setting, ensuring a comfortable fit across various wrist sizes. The case is equipped with front, back, and crown gaskets, providing water resistance up to 50 meters, although we recommend removing the watch before water activities. The watch is fully serviced and ready for your upcoming adventures.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 290 degrees
Beat Error: 1.5 ms
Frequency: 18,000 (5 beats per second)
Power Reserve: 24-30 hours
Complication: Secometer
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Hamilton
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Year Manufactured: 1936
Dial Material: Metal (secometer)
Jewels: 17 jewels
Case Diameter: 44 mm
Front Crystal: Domed AR coated sapphire
Back Crystal: Flat AR coated sapphire
Case Material: 316L stainless
Lug width: 22 mm
Lug to Lug: 47 mm (52 mm with crown)
Height: 13 mm
Serial Number: 3433332
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.