Wasn't Hamilton an American company? Yes it was, until 1920 when the Swiss actually bought the failing company and use the amazing portfolio of innovation they had. Even today, as nostalgia kicks in, The swatch group takes advantage of the old designs and innovation to kickstart new generations in the appreciation of such art form.  Hamilton, Tissot, Longines have such along story of explosive creative pathways that is just takes quite a lot of time to unravel and delve into each niche requirement.