1950 HAMILTON Railway Special Pocket Watch U.S.A. Made

It was only after a railway crash in the late 1800's, involving two trains between Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway due to poor time keeping that it opens the need for Railroad (RR) watches to be "railroad approved". Consistent time keeping was the only thing that kept trains from running into each other. So a standard was developed to define types of watches could be used.

Trains opened up a whole new world for people who up until now had no reliable and affordable way of reaching other parts of states and the country. Before this date, there was no real need for a standardized time as people very much stayed in the vicinity of their homes. The railway crash (caused by one of the train driver’s watches being off by 4 minutes) symbolized a point of change.

A notable watch inspector, Webb C. Ball was brought in by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway in 1891, he was tasked with bringing their time inspection system up to industry standers. He become the Chief Time Inspector for the railways which essentially meant they were responsible for ensuring universal timekeeping was applied for trains crossing the country to avoid such accidents again. Ball's career eventually led to him being the time inspector on more than half the United Sates' railways, leading to a far more uniform set of standard across the US.

This emphasis on accurate timekeeping is something that has transcended the decades with the RR standard (certain accuracy criteria had to be met before a timepiece could be regarded as RR standard). They were the first watches allowed to be used on the Railroads, using a Swiss manual-winding movement. Followed quickly by the American made watches on "the roads".

Today, we are presenting one of the Hamilton's finest RR watches, a Hamilton Railway Special pocket watch dated from 1950. It is a high quality antique mechanical pocket watch Hamilton grade 992B, 21 jewel movement, 16 size, U.S.A. made, adjusted temperature and 6 positions with about +/- 15 seconds accuracy per week. The 992B is a lever set watch, so you pull out a lever to set the time. Also, the 992B is a a beautifully decorated movement.

After +70 years, it still has the beauty original white HG (heavy gothic) dial (unfortunately with a crack on the dial) with bold Arabic Numerals, minute marks and matching hands. The sub second is located at 6. The dial is signed "Hamilton Railway Special". It has a STUNNING engraved round case, all in 10K yellow gold field.

This watch is a lovely timepiece, in very good condition, a very attractive looking pocket watch! Runs very well and keeps great time!

The Hamilton 992B was introduced in 1940 and produced until 1969 when the market had moved away from pocket watches to wristwatches. The Hamilton 992B is a successor of the 992E (992 Elinvar hairspring, made from 1931-1941) which is a successor of the Hamilton 992 (made from 1903-1930).

Movement:
Hamilton Watch Co.
U.S.A.
Grade 992B
21 Jewels
ADJ. TEMP. AND 6 POSITIONS
Serial Number C291421

6 Positions: dial up, dial down, stem up, stem at 9 o'clock, stem at 3 o'clock and stem down at 6 o'clock.

Case Back Signed:
KEYSTONE
JBOSS
10K Gold Field
8496535

Measures (mm):
Case Diameter 50mm
Case Thickness 13.7

Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men's watches typically measure between 29-36mm (some larger, some smaller) wide excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women's watches from the 1900s-1970s were also somewhat smaller than today’s offerings in many cases. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.

We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust light, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.

The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended.
See all the photos, feel free to ask questions if you have any.

It will be carefully packed.

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WA-2178