Hamilton Boulton 'Indiana Jones'

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were without question the golden age of American watchmaking. The implementation of mass production and interchangeable parts assured American supremacy. Brands such as Gruen, Elgin, and Hamilton vied against the Swiss to dominate the watch industry—and Hamilton, in particular, was at the top of its game.

In particular, the development of railroad chronometers gave the manufacture a reputation for accuracy and dependability, in an age where those qualities were vital in a watch.

But Hamilton’s production did not rest on railroad chronometers alone: throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and on into World War II, Hamilton released a dizzying array of designs.

In the 1920s, the brand started to deviate from the typical round cases that predominated in the early years of wristwatch production. These watches were often referred to as “Geographic” thanks to their revolutionary case shapes. Hamilton experimented with a variety of shapes, from the square or rectangular “tank” shapes popularized by Cartier, to bold asymmetrical designs that subtly foreshadow the Hamilton Victor, one of the world’s first electric wristwatches.

These early wristwatches were named after their shapes: Tonneau, Square Cut Corner, or Cushion were just some of the models Hamilton released in the 1920s. But after a few years, these models were given names that evoked images of success and prosperity. Certain watches were named after famous golf courses or country clubs, such as Meadowbrook (a country club in Northville, MI outside Detroit) or Oakmont, a golf course near Pittsburgh, PA.

The qualities that these names evoked became more and more desirable after the Wall Street crash of 1929. People lost their fortunes and many businesses were forced to fold. Even Hamilton was not immune to the privations.

This particular piece, a Hamilton Boulton, is one of the unsung heroes of the Hamilton archive. Featured in Indiana Jones, the Boulton captures the aesthetic of American fine watchmaking with its rounded case flanks, Breguet numerals, and subsidiary seconds. 

This example features heavy patina throughout, but preserves the character and personality of the model, telling the story of one of the coolest watches in Hamilton's history.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.