Hamilton Brock

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were without question the golden age of American watchmaking. The implementation of mass production and interchangeable parts assured American supremacy. Brands such as Gruen, Elgin, and Hamilton vied against the Swiss to dominate the watch industry — the latter, in particular, was at the top of its game. Specifically, the development of railroad chronometers gave Hamilton a reputation for accuracy and dependability in an age where these qualities were vital in a watch. But the brand's production did not rest on railroad chronometers alone: throughout the 1920s and 1930s and the Second World War, the Lancaster, PA-based brand released a dizzying array of designs.  In the 1920s, Hamilton began to deviate from the typical round cases that predominated in the early years of wristwatch production. The company experimented with a variety of shapes, from the square or rectangular “tank” shapes popularized by Cartier to bold asymmetrical designs that subtly foreshadow the Victor, one of the world’s first electric wristwatches.  This particular Hamilton Brock, fashioned from 14K yellow gold, features a lovely svelte case profile, stylized numerals, and a lovely black dial with subsidiary seconds. The caseback features an engraving honoring an employee of GM. Whether you follow in the historical provenance by gifting it this Christmas, or adding a charming vintage dress watch to your collection, you really can't go wrong. What more could a collector ask for in a watch?