Note: The best place on the planet to find out about Hamilton Electrics among others is The Electric Watch Co in the UK. It’s a remarkable website.
Hamilton struck first in using an electrical power source rather than a coiled piece of spring steel. Hamilton began research on the electric watch in 1946. Development began under the code name Project X. The first watch appeared on the market eleven years later when Hamilton sent out a Press Release on January 3, 1957.The company pioneered the electro-mechanical and electronic watches that eventually evolved into the prevalent watch movements sold in the market now.
They noted that the Electric watch used an oscillating motor powered by a 1.5 volt hearing aid battery instead of a mainspring.
From 1957 to 1969, Hamilton produced two calibres that went to market: the 500 and 505. Even though the market favored the designs, Hamilton couldn’t produce and sell enough watches to make it a profitable line of business.
In the mid to late 1960’s, Hamilton attempted to address the Japanese market by forming a joint venture with Ricoh. The marketing effort failed. The company sold the Ricoh watches by repackaging them as Vantage brand. Hamilton placed a Standard Time Corp 130E caliber label on the Ricoh movement. The 130E looks similar to the Hamilton 505 and has many interchangeable parts.
In an experiment to increase profitability, Hamilton purchased some Huguenin Electric movements containing the Landeron 4750 caliber. Like many Swiss movements such as A. Shield and Font, Huguenin produced commodity movements.
Landeron 4750 made the first Swiss electric movement. It went into production when Hamilton released the 505. Landeron competed directly with Hamilton.
Richard Arbib, a highly recognized designer, gave the Ventura it’s futurist look. He also designed the trapezoid-shape Vega and the oval-cased Spectra.
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| Hamilton’s Initial Press Release |
The Bulova Accutron essentially took the market for Electric watches away from Hamilton. In an effort to save the Electric watch, Hamilton formed a joint venture with Ricoh to sell the Electric in Japan. Unfortunately, the effort failed. In 1969, Hamilton discontinued production of the costly project that never paid for itself and helped put the company in financial distress.
Hamilton revived its efforts to compete with Bulova by bringing its Electronic models to market.
Something humorous to note: The Soviet Union stole the Hamilton watch designs and began making their own called the Slava. Here’s a cute video:
Today, buyers and collectors seek Hamilton electrics and they bring significantly higher prices than their their other vintage watches. They are appreciated for their design rather than as a timepiece. The Ventura in this post is one of the first released and is a prime collectors item.
My goal is to buy one of each design working or not. As a collector, I’m more interested in the piece and don’t want to restore it necessarily. I can repair the movement and will change the crystal if it occludes the face.
About the photo: The case measures 52 x 32 mm in 14 carat yellow gold and uses the Hamilton 500 Caliber movement. Classwatch.com provided the photo.
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How do you classify wristwatches today?
eBay suggests the following:
Antique pre 1920
Vintage 1920-1970
Vintage 1971-1983
Retro 1984-1999
Modern 2000-present
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