(left) HAMILTON-RICOH ELECTRIC -- This unusual watch is a remarkable rarity! In the late 1950s Hamilton sent their head watchmaker, Richard Slaugh, to Japan to scout the possibility of a joint-venture. WWII had only ended slightly more than a decade before and Japan was still struggling to regain its position in world commerce. Hamilton saw potential opportunity to profit with this growth, but it turns out they were too far ahead of their time. Hamilton teamed up with Ricoh -- the same company which makes well-known copiers and cameras today -- to form the Hamilton-Ricoh Company. They produced a small line of Electric watches with a new movement grade called the Model 555E. This was an adaptation of the familiar Model 505, and in fact the balance wheel, coil, and key electrical parts were still manufactured at Hamilton's Lancaster, PA factory. Less significant parts were Japanese-made, and the watches were assembled in Japan. These watches were never sold in the United States, and unfortunately Hamilton soon found that the Asian market was still too small to absorb any significant quantities of these new watches. They also found that the long-established Seikosha factory (today's Seiko) -- with whom Hamilton had consulted in the earliest stages of their joint venture enterprise -- was rapidly taking dominance in that market. They had helped to create a very formidable rival! Hamilton quickly gave up the experiment and closed the Hamilton-Ricoh Company. The few watches which turn up in the US today were no doubt purchased by American soldiers stationed in Okinawa and brought back at the end of their tour of duty. To call these watches rare would be a colossal understatement -- I doubt that I've seen more than a dozen in 20 years! This is a superb example. The The gold-plated case with stainless back is clearly based on the "Taurus," but in a larger scale. The dial and back are both clearly marked with the Hamilton-Ricoh name and the familiar jagged script "Electric" found on most Model 505 watches. Near-mint original condition throughout, fully restored 555E movement, offered with my usual guarantee. Unique! $695.
(right) RR50 - Model 505. The "RR Special" series of Electrics were certified as official railroad watches, meeting all of the high standards required of a railroad-worthy wristwatch. They are very popular with collectors, including many collectors of railroad pocket watches. At 35mm diameter this is a bit larger than most watches of the era, and the classic, easy-to-read dial is very appealing. Excellent stainless steel case and perfect original dial. Fully restored and guaranteed. $575.
EVEREST - Mint in box with Original Band - Model 500. One of the most popular of the Hamilton Electrics, the Everest has become surprisingly scarce in recent years. It has a very bold design in which the keystone-shaped center portion gives the illusion of breaking through the top of the case. The numbers marked on the top of the bezel and the bright gold center of the dial reinforce the optical illusion. This is an outstanding watch in near NOS condition, complete with original metal band and original box. $1,100.
PACER - Model 505 -- The Pacer has always been the most popular of all Hamlton Electrics, however in the past several years they have become increasingly scarce and expensive. Prices of unrestored examples have hit incredible highs in Internet auctions. In recent years I have found it extremely difficult to keep up with demand. I currently have only one in stock, with 505 movements and excellent case, with a 1966 dedication on the back. I can restore it with either black or silver dial. Fully restored and guaranteed: $895.
(left) EVEREST - Model 500. One of the most popular of the Hamilton Electrics, the Everest has become surprisingly scarce in recent years. It has a very bold design in which the keystone-shaped center portion gives the illusion of breaking through the top of the case. The numbers marked on the top of the bezel and the bright gold center of the dial reinforce the optical illusion. It is an extremely difficult watch to photograph because of the highly reflective dial. Suffice it to say, it looks even better in real life than it does here! Super gold-filled case with impeccably refinished dial bearing exact original markings, including "Pat. Pending" below 6. The original luminous hands have been restored, and the movement just overhauled. A superb example of this desirable style.(SALE PENDING).
(right) REGULUS - Model 500. This curious watch is one of only a few asymmetric Hamiltons made in stainless steel, and is also one of the rarest in the Electric series with a mere 2,400 made. Excellent case and original dial. Fully overhauled and guaranteed. $1,395.
VENTURA - 14K yellow gold - Model 505. FINALLY BACK IN STOCK! First released on January 3, 1957, the Ventura was the world's first battery-powered watch, and it remains one of the most popular watch styles even after 50 years. Venturas have always been sought-after among collectors, but in recent years they have become extremely hard to find. This is NOT a rough, unrestored Ventura such as you will you find elsewhere. I restore my Hamilton Electric watches to look and run as-new, with new crystals, new straps, and fully overhauled movements. You won't find a finer Ventura anywhere else. Fully restored ,and as close to new as is possible for a 50 year-old watch. Fully guaranteed. (Currently sold out; if you would like to be notified when I next find a mint example please EMAIL me.)
As conceived by renowned designer Richard Arbib and first marketed by Hamilton
in early 1957, the "Ventura" Electric was offered with a unique strap with
a stripe of gold alongside a stripe of black, complementing the stunning design of
the case and dial. However within only about four months Hamilton discontinued this
custom strap and replaced it with a conventional black strap to reduce manufacturing
costs. The few straps that were sold in 1957 have almost all worn out and today these
original straps are incredibly rare and valuable. Those few that do exist are usually
so brittle from age that they are not wearable.
Ever since I began specializing
in Hamilton Electrics back in 1986 I dreamed of making reproductions of the unique
Ventura strap. It was a much more complex manufacturing challenge that it might seem,
and it was not until 1997 that I finally had straps to offer for sale. Alas, the
company I worked with to produce these special straps went out of business and I
had to go back to the drawing board, hunting for someone willing to handle such a
complex project. At last I have a new batch of superb replicas which are even better
than originals, and even better than my previous reproductions!
Like the original
it is handmade with two separate strips of leather, with different colors and textures,
fitted side by side. However my reproduction is backed with a soft, hypo-allergenic
kidskin lining for extra comfort and features supple, extra-high quality leathers
and smooth rembordé edges. Thse straps are handmade in very tiny quantities yet their
cost is about the same as plain straps of similar quality: ONLY $37.95 each!
Quantities
are limited. California residents must add $3.42 sales tax per strap. Shipping: $1.41
per order (any quantity)..
"ELVIS" LIMITED EDITION VENTURAS with two-tone straps. In honor of
Elvis Presley's 75th birthday in 2010, Hamilton released special limited edition
Venturas. Earlier this year I had the limited edition with vintage-style metal bands.
(Although Hamilton never originally offered the Ventura with a metal band, Elvis
chose to wear his personal white gold Ventura with a matching stretch band.) Hamilton
also produced the Elvis edition with two-tone leather strap but because of an exclusive
marketing agreement they were only available through Graceland's gift shop. Until
now!
At last I can offer this exciting version, which is the most accurate
Ventura replica Hamilton has ever made. The case is extremely well crafted and matches
the original much more closely than the standard Ventura reissue as shown at the
bottom of this page. The dial is also more like the original, with gloss black finsh
and a domed shape. Two versions are available. The plain stainless steel Elvis Ventura
is a close visual match to Elvis' original white gold watch. For those who prefer
yellow gold, Hamilton has also produced a Ventura plated in yellow with the latest
PVD plating technology, giving a much harder and more durable finish than old electroplating.
Both have two-tone straps with a stripe of yellow gold alongside a stripe
of black (on the yellow PVD edition) or a stripe of silver alongside black (for the
stianless edition), matching designer Richard Arbib's original concept for this watch.
Hamilton sold the yellow gold Ventura with two-tone strap for the first few months
of production in 1957. The white gold version was never originally marketed with
a two-tone strap, but this modern reinterpretation makes for a stunning look.
Limited
availability -- please EMAIL for special pricing.
For those who want the classic look of the original 1957 Ventura in a carefree,
inexpensive version, the modern reissue by Hamilton fits the bill. It is reasonably
faithful to the original, but with its stainless steel case and high-quality Swiss
quartz movement it is more suited to rugged use. THIS IS A GENUINE HAMILTON PRODUCT,
made by the Hamliton Watch Company and with full Hamilton factory two-year warranty.
Superb quality and styling! Please EMAIL for pricing.
(Please
note that ladies' versions are also available on special order.)