Hamilton Watch Company

The Hamilton Watch Company was an American company that was incorporated in 1892 and produced its first watch, the 936, in 1893. The company went on to manufacture and market pocket watches and wristwatches and subsequently become a diversified conglomerate. In 1971 it became the third company of what was to later become the Swatch Group and is today one of twenty brands belonging to the Swatch Group, the world's largest watch manufacturer and marketer.

History: 1892–1969

Hamilton succeeded three watch firms manufacturing timepieces in the same facilities in Lancaster, PA., including the Lancaster Watch Company. The precursor to the Hamilton Watch Co., the Lancaster, Pennsylvania based Keystone Standard Watch Co., was started by Abram Bitner in 1886 with the purchase of Lancaster Watch Company's factory. Keystone manufactured watches featuring a patented "Dust Proof" design that used a small acrylic "window" to cover the only opening in the plate of the movement. Keystone existed until 1891 when the company was sold to Hamilton Watch Company.