What makes the Lancaster 189 unique: Today, we’re featuring a new entry in our Watch of the Day series that boasts a stunning pocket watch produced by the Hamilton Watch Company — the Lancaster 189. This breathtaking piece displays an ivory-white dial with stylish, aged numerals and a dark-gray circle design with a dark-blue outline. You can also see the watch’s black solid diamond kite watch hands and subdial. We matched this antique watch with our powerful and fashionable Blued Titanium case and a nickel-plated crown, complementing the dial and making it all the more eye-catching. On the watch’s rear side, you can see its 918-grade open-face movement with 19 screw-set ruby jewels with gold settings as well as its gold-plated gears. The movement features additional remarkable details, including its Micrometer regulator, Breguet hairspring, and ¾ plate. We made this one-of-a-kind pocket watch all the more special by pairing it with our comfortable, artisan-designed Cordovan Oxblood leather watch strap.

The Hamilton Watch Company originally manufactured the piece’s pocket watch in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1934 — the same year that that famous bank robber John Dillinger was mortally shot by law enforcement outside of the Biograph Theater in Chicago, Illinois. The notorious gangster led the Dillinger Gang, which allegedly robbed 24 banks as well as four police stations. Before attracting national attention for his crimes, Dillinger was incarcerated for almost a decade for assault, battery, and stealing $50 from a grocery store. While in prison, he learned about bank robbing from career criminals Harry “Pete” Pierpont, Charles Makely, Russel Clark, and Homer Van Meter. Dillinger was paroled in 1933 and personally robbed 12 different banks before his death the following year.