The Hamilton Watch Company began its life in Lancaster, Pennsylvania back in 1892. The precision and reliability of the Hamilton railroad watches ended an existing problem of railroad accidents and signalled the beginning of a tradition of successful timekeeping. In the 1920s Hamilton became the official Watch supplied to the US Armed Forces. The wrist-watches provided were used by General Black Jack Pershing and his troops who were fighting in the European trenches. The introduction of the Piping Rock and Yankee watch styles in 1928 furthered the Hamilton leadership in American style. During World War II, Hamilton ceased production of watches for civilian consumers to focus on the task of providing the armed forces with a total of one million timepieces. The Hamilton marine chrono-meter was the first to be produced by modern manufacturing methods and around 10,000 Hamilton marine chronometers experienced World War II action first hand.
           The secret assignment, Project X, lasted three years and in 1957 resulted in the introduction of the Ventura, the worlds first electric (battery-powered) watch. In 1961 Elvis Presley wore his Ventura in the film Blue Hawaii. At 12.01 New York Time, on May 6, 1970, the worlds first digital watch, made by Hamilton, started measuring time. A revival in the 80s saw the reintroduction of classic Hamilton designs from the 1920s through to the 1960s. Old favourites like the Boulton, Ardmore and Ventura fuelled and led an industry-wide trend of classic watches. The special Hamilton/Hollywood relationship continued with roles in such films as Men in Black, Lethal Weapon 4, Fight Club, Independence Day, The Talented Mr. Ripley and Youve Got Mail. Costume designers and stylists remained drawn to the eye-catching shapes and styles of the Hamilton timepieces for bringing a huge spectrum of characters to life.  Hamilton is established as one of the leading watchmakers in the world with a proven reputation for creating elegant and reliable timepieces. The watches combine a strong American spirit with the unrivalled precision of the latest Swiss movements and technology.