by Theo Hansen
A little about me...
I'm a senior at River Dell Regional High School, and aside from buying and selling watches I enjoy photography, guitar, politics, trading stocks, and the New York Yankees.
What are Hamilton watches and why are they interesting?
Hamilton Watch Company was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Originally, they manufactured pocket watches. During World War I, they switched to focus more on wristwatches to supply American soldiers and aviators with easier to wear timepieces.
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In 1928, special editions of the Hamilton Piping Rock watch were presented to the New York Yankees to commemorate their World Series Championship, much as rings are presented today.
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After again becoming a supplier for the United States Armed Forces in World II, and many other storied successes, they ended manufacturing in the U.S. in 1969 and shifted to operations in Switzerland. The brand was sold in 1974 to a company that eventually became The Swatch Group.
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How do I buy and sell these watches?
I've spent many hours researching the different models that Hamilton made over the years they produced these watches in the U.S. I love combing through yard sales, estate sales, and online vendors looking for rare and valuable models. When I find one in fair condition, I will do some basic refurbishing at home, cleaning, and crystal replacement. For more extensive refurbishing I will bring them to an expert repair shop.
Who took these beautiful photos?
That's me! In addition to buying and selling watches, I also do a lot of photography. I have a few examples of my work online.