The "Hamilton Watch Company's History In Lancaster, Pennsylvania" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Searching through my chest of drawers for my Hamilton electric watch that my parents gave to me when I graduated from high school in 1962.  Really neat gold watch that drew quite a stir when I wore it around my friends.  Thought my dad must have been rich in order to be able to buy me something as neat as an electric watch.  In reality, dad was a watchmaker and did spend time working on the new Hamilton electric watch, such as the one he gave me for graduation.  Recently I found a timeline telling of the rise and fall of Hamilton Watch in my hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Thought I would share it with you, since you more than likely have heard of the Hamilton Watch Company at some time or another.  History begins in 1892 and is as follows:

Hamilton Watch Company (click images to enlarge)

1892 - Hamilton Watch was founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania when they began production of pocket watches.  They focused on quality and accuracy which is what made Hamilton an Internationally renowned watch brand.  My father was a watchmaker who worked on the Hamilton in the 1940s at Meiskey's Jewelry store in downtown Lancaster and my mother worked at the Hamilton Watch factory about the same time frame.

1912 - Being that there were too many railroad accidents due to timing on the tracks, Hamilton developed the first series of Hamilton pocket watches to help solve the time scheduling of trains.  Their pocketwatch became known as "The Watch of Railroad Accuracy."

Early pocket watch from Hamilton

1914 - Due to the precision quality of the Hamilton watches, it became an official supplier to the U.S. Armed forces.  Many servicemen were equipped with Hamilton watches because of that.  In order to keep up with the demand, Hamilton Watch Company began shift work which was something new to industrial time schedules.

1918 - Hamilton took to the air when they made an aeronautical watch which accompanied the very first American airmail service between Washington, D.C. and New York.

Hamilton watches been handed to airline pilots

1926 - Admiral Richard E. Byrd used a Hamilton watch during his pioneering 15 hour, 57 minute flight over the North Pole.  He was the first aviator to reach the North Pole, circling it for 13 minutes before returning to his base.  He knew exactly how long he circled due to his Hamilton watch piece.

Admiral Byrd's Hamilton watch.

1927 - The times between special events begins to close as a precision Hamilton watch was a key part of helping pilots on their first flight from California to Hawaii to find the islands in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean.  A mistake of a few degrees would have resulted in missing the islands.  Their watches helped them in navigation.

1928 - Hamilton Piping Rock Watches were presented to the New York Yankees after winning the 1928 World Series.  The special engraved watches were given to Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.  Can you imagine how much these watches might be worth now if you could find one at a flea market?

Watches presented to the 1928 New York Yankees team.

1930 - The Hamilton watch became the official watch of the four major American commercial airlines and was also selected as the official timekeeper for the very first coast-to-coast service from New York to San Francisco.

1932 - Hamilton watches appeared for the very first time in the movies when they were featured in the film "Shanghai Express." 

1942 - Hamilton stopped commercial production of watches in order to focus on supplying timepieces for the U.S. armed forces.  It was at this time that my mother began working at Hamilton Watch Company along Columbia Avenue in Lancaster.  I can remember her telling me about having to prepare watches for our troops overseas.  They made wristwatches as well as marine chronometers.

1951 - Hamilton Watch became famous world-wide when their watches appeared in the movie "The Frogmen." The movie starred Richard Widmark, Dana Andrews and Gary Merrill.

1957 - Hamilton produced the first world's electrical battery operated watch known as the Ventura.  It had a unique, futuristic, shield-shaped design and was created by renowned industrial designer Richard Arbib.  The watch became an instant sensation throughout the world.

World's first electric battery operated watch known as the Ventura.

1961 - Elvis Presley  wore the Hamilton Ventura watch in his musical comedy "Blue Hawaii" and made the watch a star.

Elvis. wearing his Hamilton Ventura watch.

1962 - Larry Woods wore his new Ventura watch and became an instant star at the Acme Supermarket where he worked in Lancaster, PA.

The Hamilton Electric that my parent's gave me as
a graduation gift in 1962.  I still have it, though it doesn't work. 

1968 -Stanley Kubrick approached Hamilton two years prior to create a unique timepiece for his new film "2001: A Space Odyssey."  Hamilton designers provided him with a wristwatch and desk clock that proved almost as iconic as the film itself.

Timepieces for "2001: A Space Odyssey".

1969 - Hamilton Watch Company sadly ended American manufacturing operation in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and shifted their manufacturing operation to the Buren factory in Switzerland.  A sad day in Lancaster's history.

1970 - Hamilton introduced the Pulsar which was the world's first digital electronic watch.  The display was created using LEDs activated by a button on the side of the solid gold watch.  It sold for $2,100.  Needless to say, I never had one of those.

1974 - On May 16, Hamilton was sold to SSIH which was the previous name of the Swatch Group.

1980 - Hamilton revived the watches from the past with the Ventura once again featured.  

1990 - Hamilton's relationship with Hollywood intensified with appearance on the wrists of people in "Men in Black", "Lethal Weapon 4", "Independence Day", "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Die Hard."  You must have seen them if you took in anyone of those movies.

1990's style Hamilton featured in movies.

2003 - Hamilton began adding the words "Swiss made" when they transferred both their headquarters and production facilities to the heart of watchmaking country in Biel, Switzerland. It was a sad day when they closed the door for the final time in the plant in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

2005 - Hamilton became involved in the world of air racing and aerobatics with the Red Bull Air Race and the Swiss Aerobatic Association.

Notice the Hamilton watch on the arm of the racer.

2011 - Hamilton developed its own personalized automatic calibers, H-21 and H-31.  Each offered its wearers an extended power reserve of up to 80 hours.

Hamilton with automatic calibers.

2014 - Hamilton worked on the smash-hit movie "Interstellar".  The following year their watch appeared on the wrist of the main character in Ridley Scott's epic adventure "The Martian". 

2017 - Hamilton celebrated the 60th anniversary of the iconic watch Ventura which they made in good old Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Oh, how that seemed to be so long ago.  Hamilton doesn't seem to even be a part of Lancaster to those who weren't living at the time they manufactured watches in Lancaster.  There are a few more dates and accomplishments I could list, but it seems so sad that they moved away from their roots just so they could say they were made in Switzerland.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "I Finally Solved One Of Life's Biggest Mysteries" Story

The plaque on the Bowman Technical School.

It was an ordinary day.  Surfin' the web, checking out a few of my favorite Facebook pages.  One of the pages, "Remember when....in Lancaster, PA", deals with events and happenings, both past and present, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  As I was checking out the photographs that had been posted by viewers, one photograph caught my eye.  It was a photo of a clock's face on a plaque that was on the exterior wall of Bowman Techincal School at the corner of North Duke and East Chestnut Streets in downtown Lancaster.  The poster, Cory, asked this question: Does anyone know why the clock on the plaque at the old Bowman building is set at 8:20?  A few years ago I wrote a story about my father, Paul, who attended the Bowman Technical School after returning home from his service time in the U.S. Army in the mid-1940s.  The school was one of the best on the east coast at the time and attracted students from all over the country.  My father graduated and went to work for Meiskey's Jewelry store in downtown Lancaster as a watchmaker, helping repair watches and selling watch parts.  He never once mentioned the time set on the plaque's clock, perhaps because he to had no idea there was a clock on the plaque.  And, maybe there wasn't even a plaque on the building when he was a student.  Anyway, another reader of the Facebook site wrote in part that: you'll see the 8:20 setting on some clocks or watches where the manufacturer's logo is at the bottom of the face above the 6.  Well, I just had to find out for myself about the time set on the plaque.  One theory stated that the hands were set to 8:20 since that was the time Lincoln died.  But, he was actually shot shortly after 10:00 pm and died at 7:30 the next morning.  Then another theory stated that the hands were set to that time since that was the time John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas, Texas.  Not so ... since that happened at 12:30 pm and he was pronounced dead 30 minutes later.  So there is no logical reason why it was set at 8:20.  

Advertisement showing the watch set to 10:10.

Then I read that most manufac- turers of watches and clocks set their watches, clocks and timepieces to approxi- mately 10:10 and you set the correct time when you buy the watch.  The theory behind that time was that it was the time that an atomic bomb was dropped on either Nagasaki or Hiroshima and the setting was in memory of the causalities.  But, that bomb was dropped at 11:02 a.m., so there goes that theory.  The real reason for the 10:10 position is AESTHETICS!  Now, that makes sense since: (1) the hands are not overlapping and are clearly visible, (2) the arrangement of the hands is symmetrical, (3) the manufacturer's logo is usually in the center of the face under the 12 and is framed by the hands, (4) additional elements of the face are usually placed near the 3, 6, or 9 and won't be obscured.  Now, I found the major reason that clocks are no longer set to 8:20 (which they really were at one time in history).  Another poster told that setting it to 8:20 made the face look like it was frowning.  So, they flipped the hands to 10:10 to make it look as if it was smiling.  Another mystery of the ages solved! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The "Presidential Time Keeper" Story

An engraving of President James Buchanan.

It was an ordinary day.  Holding a gold pocket watch that at one time rested in the pocket of one James Buchanan Jr.; as in President James Buchanan Jr.  President James Buchanan was the 15th President of the United States, serving immediately prior to the American Civil War.  He was the only president that was a lifelong bachelor and the last president born in the 18th century as well as the only President from the State of Pennsylvania.  "Some" still consider him to be the worst President ever, but those "some" don't live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where James lived on his beloved estate known as Wheatland until his death in June of 1868.  

Pres. James Buchanan's pocket watch. The watch
is attached to a "T" bar with the gold chain.

Anyway, history will soon show that James wasn't the worst ever.  Today I am in the basement of the Lancaster Historical Society Museum which is located a hop, skip and jump from Buchanan's home of Wheatland on of all places, President Avenue!  I am the guest of one of the museum's employees, Victoria.  We sat around a table in the temperature and humidity controlled room with white gloves on so as not to soil, fingermark or damage the beautiful pocket watch in front of us.  The pocket watch was a gift from the Mr. and Mrs. Ted Ewing family who is distantly related to President James Buchanan.  Since James Buchanan was a bachelor, he bequeathed his material goods and wealth to his niece Harriet Lane Johnston, who acted as First Lady in the White House during James' Presidency, to his brother Edward Y. Buchanan and to his nephew J. Buchanan Henry.  

Click on image to enlarge.  Only one letter, a "B" can
be seen in the center of the gold pocket watch case.

In 2014 the Ewings made a visit to the Wheatland Mansion and fell in love with the place.  Two years later the Ewings donated the pocket watch to the museum.  And, that is the watch that I am now attempting to photograph, with white gloves on naturally.  The case of the watch is simple in design with what appear to be three initials in the center; Only one is clear enough to read, even with a magnifying glass; the third letter "B".  

You may be able to read some of the cursive
writing if you click on the image to enlarge it.

Victoria opened the watch to the inside rear cover where there is engraved: From James Buchanan May 9th 1865. Opposite that are two small openings, or aperatures, where the pocket watch could be wound.  Words also appear which look to be: Time Keeper, Lewis Ladomus & Co., Philadelphia, Pa in cursive writing with a line on the top which is much harder to decipher and seems to list: "E. T. & Co. 18K 16943."  A gold chain runs from the bow at the top of the watch to a T-bar on the other end that could be used to attach the watch to a button hole on James' vest or possibly to a pants pocket.  The chain is a bright gold with short thick links to it.  

This shows places to wind the wind the watch

The other side of the pocket watch opens to the face which is in white with black Roman Numerals (the traditional IIII represents the #4 - this balances the VIII for the #8 on the opposite side).  A second dial, inset on the face, shows the second hand with traditional numerals every 10 seconds apart.  The cursive writing on the face reads: Lewis Ladomus & Co., Philadelphia, Pa.  The Lewis Ladomus & Company can be found on Google as: Lewis Ladomus / L. Ladomus & Co., Philadelphia, PA 1845-1878 : Had business of L. Ladomus & Co. 1853-1878 : Silversmith and watchmaker.  

The face of the pocket watch with hands and cursive writing.

They were located at 802 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia at one time.  The company had gone through different company partner- ships, but based on the date on the watch, Mr. Lewis Ladomus was the watchmaker who made the pocket watch that I am photographing.  Seems unreal to be able to hold, with gloved hands, a piece of history as well as the watch that more than likely was used in the White House by the President of the United States to help direct him in a timely manner throughout the day.  I must admit that I have several pocket watches in a nearby drawer that are more elegant, since my father was a watchmaker and jeweler, but none carry the prominence of the one I am now holding.  Too bad I wasn't allowed to try and wind it.  It was another day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Closer look at the "T" at the end of the chain.  This would be used to clip the pocket watch to a button hole, vest or pants pocket.  It was suggested it may also be used for winding the watch.

The "A Trend Setter Before My Time" Story

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation bracelet.

It was an ordinary day.  The headline in the newspaper caught my eye: "Mens wrists not just for watches anymore."  Tried to remember how long ago I gave up wearing a wristwatch for four reasons, (1) made marks on my arm when I sweated, (2) wasn't cool to wear a watch, especially when my iPhone was a pocket away with the time of day, (3) most of my male friends wore wristwatches and could tell me the time and (4) time doesn't really matter much since I'm retired.  Can't believe the newspaper actually posted a story telling the public that men are giving up wearing watches, since it isn't an acceptable accessory on a powerful man's wrist anymore.  Wow, I've been chic for years now and didn't realize it.  But, what should I be wearing on my wrist?  Story said I should be wearing a bracelet made of beads, leather, sterling silver or even a plastic "remembrance band."  A few years ago I wore a blue JDRF bracelet for about half a year and I still have a plastic bag full of them in case I decide to don the bracelet once again.  

A few of my necklaces I have draped across
my wife's wedding portraiture on my dresser.

JDRF are the initials for Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund and I was wearing it since my oldest granddaughter has Type I Diabetes.  Instead of wearing the bracelet, my wife and I began to make donations to JDRF which is probably the reason I was given the bracelet in the first place.  Now, for me, being chic and in style goes farther than wearing something on my wrist.  I enjoy wearing a necklace which to me is more trending than something on my wrist.  I have been making purchases of necklaces for over 15 years which I enjoy wearing when going out for lunch or dinner as well as when vacationing in the Caribbean.  

LDub with his necklace and ... a watch!

The necklaces are made with beads, leather and even small sea shells.  My wife at times claims I'm trying to be a hippie dude from back in the 1970's, and maybe I am, but I still like the look of a necklace with flair that draws attention away from all the loose skin I have on my aging neck.  And, in case you didn't realize it, my photo that appears on this blogspot site to the right of this story, and has been there since I began writing stories in 2009, features a photo of me with a really neat necklace around my neck.  Betcha didn't know that, did you?  Click on my photo in this story to enlarge it and you can see it.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - You'll also see that I'm wearing my wristwatch! How uncool is that!!

The "Time And Time Again: Part III - Roman Numeral Debacle" Story

The new clock in downtown Lancaster, PA.

It was an ordinary day.  Standing at Penn Square in downtown Lancaster, PA with my granddaughter Camille taking a photograph of the new clock that stands there.  Clock was donated by the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and recently erected in the square to ... (1) help people see the time or (2) create a controversy as to the Roman Numerals on the face of the large clock.  Well, it definitely gives you the time of day and yes ... it really makes you wonder why the Roman numerals are they way they are on the face of the clock.  If you are familiar with Roman Numerals, you know that: 1=I, 2=II, 3=III, 4=IV, 5=V, 6=VI, 7=VII, 8=VIII, etc.  Seems the clock downtown has IIII for the number 4 instead of IV.  Many people were wondering if it was a mistake.  

Part of an entire wall of clocks
at the National Watch and Clock
Museum.  Not a single clock had
IV for the Roman Number 4.

Lancaster's newspaper ran a short story on the reason for the alleged gaffe while on my recent visit to the National Watch and Clock Museum in nearby Columbia I had the chance to ask my guide about the reason for changing the number for IV to IIII.   He came up with a variety of answers which all seemed to make sense to me.  Seems clock makers and watchmakers have been using the IIII instead of the IV for several hundred years.  It really is a matter of aesthetics and visual symmetrical balance.  By using IIII it makes the dial look visually better and more legible, since it is balanced with the VIII on the opposite side of the dial where the number 8 would be.  It is called a "watchmaker's four".  And he continued with ... It's also the way its always been done as far back as 1550 and probably earlier.  Originally it was common to use IIII to represent four because IV represented the Roman god Jupiter whose Latin name, IVPPITER, begins with IV.  Romans were hesitant to put part of their god's name on a sundial, so IIII became the preferred way to write a #4.  But then he also pointed out that IV wasn't used until after the fall of the Western Roman Empire since they didn't use the subtractive method in Roman Numerals when writing numbers.  Way back then the number 9 was even written VIIII.  Lost yet?  

I'm holding my grandfather's pocketwatch that has
the Roman Numeral IIII in place for the #4.

Then he said King Louis XIV of France preferred IIII instead of IV for probably the same reason as Jupiter wouldn't have wanted two letters from his name on a sundial.  Do all these explanations make sense?  Maybe the IIII is used for the same reason that all clocks and watches run clockwise!  Or do they?  Does it really matter?  As I walked though the museum I had a hard time finding a clock or watch that didn't have Roman Numerals let alone used IV for the number 4.  Very interesting!!  So, as far as trying to explain why the clock in Lancaster's square had IIII, there is no good, or at least reasonable, explanation.  At least Camille didn't care how it was written.  Made sense to her that it was IIII.  "Looks better that way," she said.  Ditto!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - click on photos to enlarge them.

This is one of the few clocks or watches in the entire museum that used numbers that are in use today.  I didn't look at every single watch and clock in the museum, but didn't see many that didn't use Roman Numerals.