Hamilton Railroad Pocket Watch

895

In stock

Did you know that for decades, railroads relied on high quality chronometer pocket watches to keep trains running on time and prevent collisions? From the the 1890’s to the 1960’s, it was mandatory for railroad workers to purchase and maintain such a watch of their own funds. These pocket watches were prized possessions, since the price of such a watch would equal a months wage. This Hamilton railroad chronometer pocket watch was build to the highest quality standards. The movement has 21 jewels, bimetal compensation balance wheel with overcoil hairspring, swan neck regulator and a solid gold centre wheel. This movement was designed with accuracy, reliability and longevity in mind. Aside from being accurate to within 30 seconds a week, a white dial with bold Arabic numerals was mandatory to prevent misreading the time. To prevent accidentally changing the time while winding the watch, there is a setting lever below the screw-on bezel. In order to set the watch, the bezel should be unscrewed and the lever can be pulled, so the time can be set by turning the crown.

To me, this model is one of the most beautifully railroad pocket watch designs ever made by Hamilton, with the white gold filled bar-over-crown case, signed crown and bold yet elegant Arabic numerals on a double sunk dial. Inside the case ticks the famous Hamiton 992 movement, well-known for it’s reliability and high quality. This watch is one of the best quality watches money could buy 100 years ago and remained in very well preserved condition.

CONDITION
The watch is in very good condition. The case shows some signs of wear (light scratches and a very faint dent in the caseback) without any brassing on the case and only very little brassing on the inside of the bow. The crown is original and signed “Hamilton Railroad”. The dial is in mint condition without damage like cracks or chips. The blued hands are original and in very good condition and free of rust. An antique mineral crystal has been installed during service, the edges of the crystal have been polished to remove the sharp edges. The watch has been fully serviced, which means the movement has been completely dissembled and all parts have been cleaned and checked for wear. After cleaning, the movement has been assembled, lubricated and adjustments were made so ensure proper functioning and accuracy.

Brand

Hamilton

Model

Railroad Chronometer

Reference

Model 2

Year (approx.)

1927

Material

White gold filled

Diameter

50,6mm (without crown)

Crystal

Mineral crystal

Caliber

Hamilton cal. 992 (manual wound)

Bracelet/Strap

N/A

Lug Width

N/A

Box/Papers

watch only

All watches are covered with a 12 month warranty from the date of purchase. This warranty includes the proper timekeeping of the watch the proper functioning of any complication the watch may has. For vintages wristwatches, the accuracy can generally be expected to be within 1 minute a day. For antique pocket watches, the accuracy can generally be expected to be within 1-2 minutes a day. Please note that we never guarantee any kind of water resistance for any watch we sell.

We understand that you want to enjoy your new watch without worries about the technical condition in the years to come. Every mechanical watch is a highly complicated and precisely made mechanism composed of many small and precisely interacting parts. In many cases, signs of wear or damage to these parts is not visible from the outside. To ensure optimal quality, all watches are fully serviced by a specialised and experienced watchmaker before being offered for sale. The movement is fully disassembled and all parts are cleaned and checked for wear and damage. After cleaning, the movement is reassembled and lubricated with various types of oils and greases. During assembly, adjustments are made to ensure proper functioning and accuracy. The case and bracelet are ultrasonically cleaned and the crystal is either polished of replaced. After assembly, all functions are tested and the watch is ready for many years of reliable service. 

Our warranty voids completely when a third party opens or attempts to repair the watch. Please note that the following is also excluded from our warranty: damage caused by moisture and dirt outside or inside the watch, damage caused by impacts, such as dropping and knocking, or any external impact on the watch, damage caused by abuse, carelessness or ignorant handling and breaking, loss of or damage to crown, buttons, pushers, bezels, strap or bracelet and other case parts.