Watch Description
What makes the Lancaster 188 unique: Today we are pleased to bring you this elegant piece originally manufactured by the Hamilton Watch Company in 1929. Built from an antique 17-jewel pocket watch, this timepiece features a machined titanium case, a copper crown, a stone leather strap, and gold-plated gears. We absolutely love the subtle aged look and intricate designs that have been incorporated into this dial. The soft color tones are contrasted well by bold Arabic numerals and accented by a wonderfully unique center pattern. The movement presents a ¾ plate, nickel finish, pendant setting, and black inlay color. The case is designed to be both lightweight and durable, while the copper crown adds a touch of classic elegance. Our stone leather strap is comfortable and stylish, while the gold-plated gears stand out in contrast to the titanium case. With its timeless design and modern craftsmanship, this timepiece is sure to be treasured for generations to come.This watch was originally produced in Lancaster, Pennsylvania by the Hamilton Watch Company. The Hamilton Watch Company was founded by a group of seven businessmen from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including lawyer Abram Bitner and watchmaker Henry J. Cain. Hamilton was the first watchmaker to mass-produce wristwatches in the United States, and the company quickly became a major player in the watchmaking industry. Hamilton watches were known for their precision and quality, and the company produced watches for the American military during World War II. Today, we celebrate the legacy of the Hamilton Watch Company and its founders. Their innovative spirit and dedication to quality watchmaking have left a lasting impact on the watchmaking industry in the United States.
Movement Manufacturer Information
The movement inside of this watch was made by Hamilton Watch Company. We call this model "The Lancaster" because the company was located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Hamilton is named after famous Pennsylvanian Alexander Hamilton and is the result of multiple re-organizations of attempted watch companies in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1892, Hamilton had a reputation for superior quality and maintained half of the railroad watch market share during some of the most prolific years of American railroad history. During World War II, Hamilton was integral to the production of accurate timepieces for the Military. Deemed "the watch that won the war," the company established an employee-run newsletter so that employees turned soldiers could keep up with life at the factory. While the original factory still stands as luxury apartments, the company stopped producing watches in the US in 1969. Hamilton now produces watches in Switzerland and is owned by the Swatch Group.
Legal Disclaimer: All product and company names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Vortic's products and services are the property of their respective intellectual property rights holders, if any. Those intellectual property rights holders, other than Vortic, LLC, are not affiliated with Vortic, LLC, our products, or our website. They do not sponsor or endorse our materials.
Watch Specifications
- Manufacturer: Vortic Watch Company
- Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty
- Case Dimensions:
- Diameter: 47mm
- Thickness: 12mm
- Lug to Lug: 55mm
- Lug Width: 22mm
- Case Material: Machined Titanium
- Crown/Hardware: Copper
- Water Resistance: 1 ATM
- Crystals: Sapphire
- Case Back: Stainless Steel
- Strap: Leather
Movement
- Manufacturer: Hamilton Watch Company
- Serial Number: 3313838
- Manufacture Year: 1929
- Function: Manual Wind
- Jewels: 17 Jewels
- Hands: Original
- Size: 12s
- Power Reserve: ~36 Hours
This watch was originally produced in Lancaster, Pennsylvania by the Hamilton Watch Company. The Hamilton Watch Company was founded by a group of seven businessmen from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including lawyer Abram Bitner and watchmaker Henry J. Cain. Hamilton was the first watchmaker to mass-produce wristwatches in the United States, and the company quickly became a major player in the watchmaking industry. Hamilton watches were known for their precision and quality, and the company produced watches for the American military during World War II. Today, we celebrate the legacy of the Hamilton Watch Company and its founders. Their innovative spirit and dedication to quality watchmaking have left a lasting impact on the watchmaking industry in the United States.
Let customers speak for us
The Movement
The engine that powers this watch is an antique American pocket watch movement. All the gears and springs that make it tell time are roughly 100 years old on average. We call these watches the American Artisan Series because we're celebrating the history and legacy of the artisan watchmakers who built this engineering marvel a century ago in the United States.
The Story
Today most pocket watches are scrapped for the gold or silver of the case (the outside of the antique timepiece), leaving the inside (what we call the "movement") as trash.
We take pride in upcycling these pieces of American history by salvaging as many as we can, then preserving them inside our wristwatches.
Our expert team of watchmakers restores the antique movement and then we manufacture a custom wristwatch case here in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The Strap
We partnered with Worn & Wound to produce a custom set of straps for our American Artisan Series watches. We now have 15 different colors to choose from including our two Horween Shell Cordovan options. These straps are made in the USA and are based on the Windup Model 2 Premium strap that Worn and Wound offers.
