Hamilton  American Classic  Watches

Hamilton American Classic: Swiss Watches with American Flair

Hamilton is an American watch company that manufactures Swiss wristwatches. The brand started off as a manufacturer of railroad watches, and years later, Hamilton transferred all manufacturing operations in Switzerland. Since then, the American watch brand has carried through its reputation for Swiss-quality mechanical functions while keeping its roots intact, releasing iconic watches such as the Hamilton American Classic collection. The Hamilton American Classic features a perfect blend of vintage and modern watches with design elements that were first introduced in the 1900s. From the classic digital quartz to the Boulton quartz, these vintage timepieces were given a new look, maintaining their American spirit and Swiss precision. 

Through time, these vintage timepieces were redeveloped to incorporate latest mechanical functions and re-designed in a way where they don’t shy away from the Hamilton signature look but at the same time compete with luxurious and modern timepieces of today. 

Prices at a Glance: The Most Popular Hamilton American Classic Watches

How much is a Hamilton American Classic watch? 

Prices for the Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic Series

The Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic series comes in three versions: Intra-Matic Auto, Intra-Matic Auto Chrono, and Intra-Matic Chronograph H. 

The Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic Auto features a very classic American style watch with its simple yet vintage design and monochrome color. It boasts a 40mm stainless steel case size with sapphire crystal and leather strap. It is equipped with automatic movement and a 50-hour power reserve. You can purchase this watch at $949 USD.

Meanwhile, the Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic Auto Chrono is a modernized model of Hamilton’s signature 1968 piece that gives off a sporty look with its stainless steel casing and panda dial. The watch boasts an H-31 automatic chronograph movement that features a 60-hour power perfect for sports. This watch is priced at $1,659 USD.

On the other hand, Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic Chronograph H is equipped with an exclusive hand-wound chronograph movement or H-51 that features an extended 60-hour power reserve. The watch also has Hamilton’s signature panda dial. The Intra-Matic Chronograph H is priced at $2,095 USD.

Prices for the Hamilton American Classic Spirit of Liberty Watches

Similar to the Intra-Matic series, the Hamilton American Classic Spirit of Liberty series has two versions: Spirit of Liberty Auto and Spirit of Liberty Auto Chrono. The Spirit of Liberty Auto is the modernized version of the 1892 classic American style Hamilton. It features a three-hand movement with or without a date function, and boasts a power reserve of 80 hours. The Spirit of Liberty Auto is priced starting at $1,045 USD.

Meanwhile, the Spirit of Liberty Auto Chrono is highly inspired by Andrew Hamilton, a campaigner for freedom of speech and owner of the original Hamilton watch factory in Pennsylvania. It features an H-21 chronograph movement with a power reserve of 60 hours. The leather straps of this watch also have an inscription of “Without liberty, life is a misery”. This is priced at $1,895 USD.

Prices for the Hamilton American Classic Boulton

The Hamilton American Classic Boulton series features three versions: Boulton Quartz, Boulton Small Second Quartz, and Boulton Mechanical which was first introduced in 1941 and was one of the most popular watches of Hamilton during that time. The Boulton Quartz was then redesigned with a slightly bigger size, reshaped straps, and steel case but contains the same and even better mechanical functions. With a slight difference, Hamilton also introduced the Boulton Small Second Quartz that features a smaller case size of 23.5mm x 27.4mm. The Boulton Quartz is priced at $625 USD, while the Boulton Small Second Quartz is priced at $595 USD. 

Last but not least is the Boulton Mechanical that features an H-50 exclusive caliber developed for hand-winding watches. It is available with or without date functions and has 80 hours of power reserve. These watches are 34.5mm x 38mm in case size and are priced at $895 USD with various colors of dials and straps to choose from. 

Prices for the Hamilton American Classic Chrono-Matic 50 Limited Edition Watches

The Hamilton American Classic Chrono-Matic 50 Limited Edition is an eye-catching piece with only 1,972 pieces released. The watch is 48mm in size and is powered with an H-31 automatic movement with a reverse version of Hamilton’s signature panda dials. Unlike the other collections, the Chrono-Matic limited edition watch is big and bold exuding a sporty look with black, white, and red colors. The limited-edition watch is priced at $2,545 USD. 

Prices for the Hamilton American Classic Railroad Watches 

The Hamilton American Classic Railroad series offers five versions: RailRoad Auto, RailRoad Lady Auto, RailRoad Skeleton Auto, RailRoad Small Second Auto, and RailRoad Auto Chrono. Inspired by the old railroads, the dials of the RailRoad Auto are designed similar to the wheels of a train and feature a three-hand movement with or without a date function. These watches are equipped with an 80-hour power reserve and they are priced starting from $1,095 USD. 

The RailRoad Lady Auto features a feminine touch embellished with diamonds, mother of pearl dials, and soft leather straps. It is equipped with a 43-hour power reserve and is priced starting from $1,745 USD. The RailRoad Skeleton Auto is a tribute to Hamilton’s history of railroad watches. The skeleton reveals a peek of the machinery that goes inside a Hamilton watch. The starting price of a RailRoad Skeleton Auto watch is $1,345 USD. 

The RailRoad Small Second Auto stands out with its big size that features a small second movement. The watch is 42mm in size and offers a 42-hour power reserve. The watch is priced starting from $1,345 USD. Meanwhile, the RailRoad Auto Chrono is an even bigger watch with its 46mm case size that exudes a very modern and sleek design of all black. The watch is priced starting from $2,245 USD.

Prices for the Hamilton American Classic Ardmore Watches

The Hamilton American Classic Ardmore collection was first introduced in 1937 and is still a reliable timepiece till now. Throughout the years, the collection was given a makeover from its dials to strap designs. This signature women’s watch is 23.4mm x 32mm in size and comes with various colors of straps. The watch is priced at $445 USD. 

Vintage Hamilton American Classic — Is it good to buy for investment?

For watch collectors, the Hamilton American Classic is a good vintage collection to check out.  While it may not compete with other watches in terms of money investment, the value of these vintage watches, especially the Hamilton American Classic Railroad collection, can have a higher value in the next couple of years considering its historic years. From its railroad watches, pocket watches to the first few wristwatches that the brand had released, Hamilton’s American Classic is definitely a good vintage watch collection to own.

History Behind the Hamilton American Classic

Hamilton was first founded in 1892 as an American watch company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They were well known for their railroad watches before eventually venturing into wristwatches. After a series of mergers and acquisitions, Hamilton was able to acquire a Swiss company that helped the brand develop its Swiss precision. This led to the closure of all their American manufacturing operations and transferring all manufacturing to Hamilton’s subsidiary in Switzerland.

From then on, the brand is known as a Swiss manufacturer of wristwatches and has been producing watches that perfectly blend their history of classic American style with high-quality Swiss precision and mechanical functions evident most especially in Hamilton’s American Classic’s collection that features vintage designs and remodeled watches that dates back as far as the 1900s. 

Reasons to Buy Hamilton American Classic Watches

1. Quality 

The Hamilton American Classic watches are mostly known for their high American influence on their watch style and designs but the brand boasts a swiss precision in every timepiece they produce. Ever since Hamilton was established, it has a reputation for making accurate railroad watches and has carried them throughout the generations, innovating and bringing back the classic and vintage designs into modernized and more accurate timepieces. 

2. Affordability

It may come as a surprise for some but Hamilton, even with having a quality Swiss precision in their watches, offers them at a very reasonable and affordable price. While Swiss precision watches are often getting the reputation of being luxurious, Hamilton was able to provide its customers the same quality of materials and mechanics but offering it at a very reasonable price. This is perfect for watch collectors who wish to own a vintage timepiece but also for non-collectors who wish to get a reliable and classic watch with good quality yet affordable for everyday use.

3. Classic and vintage designs that never go out of style

Classic and vintage will truly never go out of style and Hamilton’s American Classic watches are solid proof of it. Having been established for decades now, Hamilton was still able to incorporate the classic American touch and perfectly blends it with a vintage yet modern look — a timepiece that will most likely withstand the test of time. 

Hamilton American Classic: Watches that Never Go Out of Style

The Hamilton American Classic is greatly valued over time because of its historic birth and style that does not seem to fade in years. Amidst the rise of luxurious and modern watches, the Hamilton American Classic is a vintage and modern collection that is well-balanced in terms of style and design, on top of high-quality Swiss mechanisms.