JeffPo's Pocket Watch Page
Last update: 07/13/07
Today, with electronic communications and devices, companies can easily direct and keep up with their railroad traffic. But in the 1800s and the first half of the 1900s, railroads were more dependent on time tables and schedules. Train engineers and conductors knew that they had a certain allotted time for their train to be on a certain section of track. After that, it could be occupied by another train. Nothing worse than two trains trying to be on the same piece of track at the same time. Train workers relied heavily on their timepieces.
Railroad pocket watches were some of the most accurate timepieces of their era. A railroad grade pocket watch had to be certified that it neither loss nor gained more than 30 seconds within a week's time. It also had to pass other criteria, such as at least 17 jewels, open face case, case of 16 or 18 size, Arabic style dial numbers, lever set movement, etc. A railroad grade pocket watch exemplifies fine craftsmanship that is both functional and artistic.
To visit some websites that sell pocket watches, accessories, etc., try out these links:
Below you'll find what I have in my collection. Enjoy.
Hamilton 992. This watch is often regarded as THE railroad watch. This particular watch is a size 16, with 21 jewels. It was made in 1913. The dial is a full Montgomery dial (note the number 6 and all the minute numbers). The case is yellow gold filled.
Burlington Special. The Burlington Special was actually made by the Illinois Watch Company. This is a size 16, with 19 jewels. It was made in 1909 and has a full Montgomery dial. The case is yellow gold filled.
Hamilton 934. This Hamilton watch is a larger size 18, common in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The movement has 17 jewels and it was made in 1905. The case is sterling silver.
Elgin BW Raymond. This Elgin watch is a size 16 and has 21 jewels. It was made in 1925. The case is yellow gold filled.
Hamilton 972. This Hamilton watch is a size 16 with 17 jewels. It was made in 1910. The case is a nickel alloy.
Waltham Crescent Street. This Waltham watch is a size 16 with 21 jewels. It was made in 1918. The case is a nickel alloy.
Hamilton 924. This Hamilton watch is an 18 size with 17 jewels. It was made in 1906. The movement is enclosed in a nickel salesman case. A salesman case had a crystal on the front and back so that the movement could be shown without having to removing the back.
Illinois Lakeshore. This Illinois watch is an 18 size with 17 jewels. It was made in 1904. The movement is enclosed in a nickel salesman case.
Hampden WM McKinley. This Hampden
watch is a 16 size with 17 jewels. It was made in 1904. I really
like this open, bridge style movement as I think it really shows off the
mechanics of the watch.
Illinois Bunn Special. This Illinois watch is
a 16 size with 21 jewels. It was made in 1917. The sunburst
demaskeening is gorgeous. More collectible versions of this watch can
be very expensive. The Bunn Special was considered a high-end railroad
watch.
Waltham
Riverside. This Waltham watch is a 16 size with 17 jewels.
The serial number dates it to about 1901. While a Riverside movement is
generally considered a railroad grade, this particular one would not be railroad
approved because it is
pendant set instead of lever set. It keeps excellent time and is the watch
I currently carry.
Links
If you haven't done so already, visit my Trains/Railroad page, my Railroad Lantern page, or my Model Trains page.