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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.
Crafted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA in 1912, this timepiece is powered by the Grade 990, a 21-jewel Railroad Grade movement produced by The Hamilton Watch Company from 1903 to 1919. The piece is housed in an original Hamilton banded salesman case with a see-through caseback. These cases were used by timepiece salesmen to easily display the movement without exposing it to dust or debris during demonstrations. The movement features ruby and sapphire jewels set in 14 karat gold settings, and only about 12,000 were ever manufactured. The porcelain enamel railroad dial is in excellent condition. It is a double sunk dial, meaning it was constructed in three separate parts: (1) the outer dial with the minute track and Arabic numerals, (2) the inner dial with the Hamilton signature, and (3) the sub seconds dial. These components were produced individually and then assembled, creating impressive depth and texture. The original hands were mirror polished to remove corrosion, then individually thermally colored over an alcohol lamp to impart an iridescent blue hue. They provide exceptional contrast against the bright white of the dial. On the movement side, every component was carefully refinished in our workshop in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. Screws and steel hardware were thermally blued one at a time through controlled heating over an alcohol lamp, a traditional technique that enhances corrosion resistance while adding rich blue contrast to the movement (read more here). The jewel settings, gear train, balance, and balance weights were individually hand polished to restore their original golden luster. The result is a Railroad Grade timepiece preserved in its original salesman case, allowing the movement to be appreciated as it was intended.
Watch Performance
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day
Amplitude: 300 degrees
Beat Error: 1.5 ms
Frequency: 18,000 (5 beats per second)
Power Reserve: 24-30 hours
Complication: Chronograph
Watch Specifications
Manufacture: Hamilton Watch Company
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Year Manufactured: 1912
Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel
Movement Setting: Lever set
Jewels: 21 jewels
Jewel Casings: Gold
Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
Case Diameter: 50 mm
Height: 14 mm
Original Case Included: Yes, Hamilton salesman case
Serial Number: 850595
All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.