Vintage American Watch Brands To Look Out For

When buying vintage watches, most people go to wrist watches stores in California and look for vintage Swiss watches. People think only watches made in Switzerland or those from renowned watch brands are worth collecting as vintage watches. However, there are some great American brand watches whose vintage collection is appreciated among vintage watch collectors. If you are new to this hobby, here are some brands you need to look out for.

 

But before that, a brief look at the watchmaking history in the USA. Swiss watchmaking is the best in the world, but American watchmaking also gained quite a reputation at the turn of the 20th century. The high-quality craftsmanship of brands like Hamilton, Illinois, and Elgin has gained a fan following worldwide. Even today, watches from these brands are coveted among watch collectors for their elegant look and heritage standard.

 

Wristwatches were primarily considered women’s accessories, so you will find most vintage American watches to be dress watches. Only during WWI did men also need wristwatches, and American brands like Elgin, Waltham, and Ingersoll became famous for mass-producing trench watches. They went back to creating beautiful, delicate timepieces only in the roaring 1920s, and their Art Deco-inspired watches are very much collector’s items.

 

Now, let’s see some of the American-made vintage watches that have great demand in the preowned watch market.

 

Elgin Shockmaster

Shockmaster from the brand Elgin is a timepiece worth the investment. This watch comes with a rectangular dial and leather strap. The watch has a 10-carat gold-filled case and bezel, and the numerals on the stunning dial are written in gold with Arabic numerals. This watch came out in 1954 and had quite a reputation among the vintage watch market for its luxurious look and aura.

 

Hamilton Sea Guard

 

Introduced in 1961, this watch is famous for being a military tribute watch, something this brand was famous for. It was a limited-edition watch created only between 1961 to 63. The watch doesn’t have the typical Hamilton look, making it so iconic and rare. Unlike other watches from the brand, the watch has gold and silver with a Hamilton 688 battery that gives 47 hours of reserve power.

 

So, next time you visit a wristwatch store in California, look for these watches for your collection.