A pocket watch or pocketwatch is a watch that is made to be carried in a pocket, as opposed. And, contrary to common belief, there were many regulations in place before webb c. Ball wristwatches, ball pocketwatches, ball antique. When standard time was first adopted in 1883, he was the first jeweler to use time signals, bringing accurate time to cleveland, ohio. Pockets watches have always been treasured by their owners.
A railroad chronometer or railroad standard watch is a specialized timepiece that once was. Collect parts to construct all the different train types from steamers to diesels, and complete daily events to unlock special trains beyond imagination. Ball, of cleveland, ohio, was the general time inspector for more than 125,000 miles of railroad in the united states, canada and mexico, a collision of two lake shore and michigan southern trains at kipton, ohio in 1892 caused by an engineers watch stopping for four minutes then starting again, resulted in the commissioning of mr. Get the best deal for ball antique pocket watches from the largest online. Ball pocket watches have always been most highly prized by collectors and rail road men for years. Make time for a classic with pocket watches from sears with a classically nostalgic look and feel, a pocket watch is the perfect accessory for any person with a dashing sense of style. This illinois hunter case pocket watch was special for a railroad company. Ball mens legend stainless steel case black dial automatic movement watch. Ball official standard pocket watch, made by hamilton in 1902. The watch is unassembled 100% thoroughly cleaned and oiled and reassembled, checked for accuracy. American watch manufacturers would offer only their highest grade watches for railroad service, but it is more than just accuracy that has made the american railroad watch so desirable today. On 1880 two trains collided because one of the engineers watch stopped for about four minutes.
It was ball who was originally commissioned by certain railroad officials to develop the standards for railroad approved watches. By continuing to browser this site you are agreeing to our use of cookie. My parts inventory is focused on american pocket watches, although i do. Stop reading and start constructing your railroad empire in pocket trains. A railroad grade pocket watch is simply a watch that was approved by a particular railroad organization for use by conductors on their rail.
Hamilton illinois bunn ball 16s pocket watch case thread repair 3 burnishers. From a simple battery replacement to a complete restoration, our swisstrained watchmakers perform a wide range of repairs with precision. Ball official railroad standard pocket watch fob chain swivel. Railroad pocket watches o gauge railroading on line forum. The first american pocket watches with machine made parts were manufactured by henry. Ball wristwatches, ball pocketwatches, ball antique watches. Ball was born in fredericktown, ohio on october 6, 1847 and became a jeweler and watchmaker. Unless a pocket watch is very rare small differences can make a big difference in price.
Railroad grade vintage mens elgin pocket watches in this section, you will find a nice selection of vintage railroadgrade elgin or the earlier national watch co. Find great deals on beautiful antique pocket watches when you shop. This railroadapproved pocket watch movement was a favorite or railroad me due to its smaller 16 size smaller than 18 size anyway and its hamiltonquality. A system of timetable and train order, which relied on highly accurate timekeeping, was used to ensure that two trains could not be on the same stretch of track at the same time. Featuring 16 size 10k yellow gold filled ball keystone open face case in very nice condition. Ball of cleveland, ohio, was the general time inspector for a large chunk of the railroads in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Powered by 21 jewel manual wind lever set 1b1051 movement. Cannonball ltd is a 1 12 inch scale, 7 14 and 7 12 inch gauge manufacturer and supplier of model railroad locomotives, rolling stock, power trucks, freight trucks, rail and misc accessories. It may have been your grandfathers ball railroad watch, or maybe it is one you found yourself in an antique store.
Use this chart to help find the industry size of your pocket watch. The ball product line continues to include official railroad watches, perpetuating the traditions of the early ball timekeepers. Built by the best companies to webb ball s exacting specifications. Announces the new speed record of the empire state express no. Todays criteria for the certification of each cosc officially certified chronometer are still based in part upon webb c. A railroad chronometer or railroad standard watch is a specialized timepiece that once was crucial for safe and correct operation of trains in many countries.
These pages are the best and most convenient way to look for railroad pocket watches and related articles from ebay. The ball watch company, out of cleveland, ohio, was founded in 1879, but it was after a tragic train collision in 1891 due to what is believed to have been a problem with one engineers watch not keeping accurate time that the company began the task of standardizing what we now term railroad grade watches. Pocket watch size chart esslinger watchmaker supplies blog. Watchmaker estate vintage european pocket watch parts pieces. Thus, the american railroad pocket watch was born, and each watch was a masterpiece of precision engineering, durability, and accuracy. Some customers have asked for more details about the steps. Bringing forth imagery of bygone eras, timeless fob watches have made their way into the closets and dressers of dapper men everywhere. This is a gold filled signed case and across it is 54mm. Having always been interested in trains, and in mechanical timepieces, this is a topic of considerable interest to me. Feb 14, 20 antique ball commercial 17 jewel railroad pocket watch very nice condition.
After the infamous collision between lake shore and michigan southern railways at kipton, ohio, which. The e and f were part of a series of letters used by hamilton in records and. Manage and grow multiple railroads by hauling important cargo around the world. This will only work on round pocket watch movements. Railroad grade pocket watches explained the vortic blog. Balls career eventually led to his being the time inspector on more than half the united. Ball nm2030dsjgo mens trainmaster legend gold tone dial watch. Measure the diameter of the movement with a digital gauge. Ball watch co railroad pocket watch model 999 ball watch co open face pocket watch.
Ball hamilton 21j 16s railroad pocket watch 14k white gf original box. Today the use of radios, automatic block signals, and central computer tracking of trains has lessened the role of the railroad watch on many railroads, yet watch requirements still remain important to safe railroad. A well maintained and adjusted watch kept in a fixed location at room temperature can reach accuracies normally only seen with quartz watches. If you are new to collecting pocket watches my best advice is to take your time, even buying from me. Hamilton also produced 18size and 16size pocket watch movements for the ball watch company, an estimated 100,000 movements were manufactured for ball from 1895 to 1954. As you will see, most of my tools are antique or at least vintage but all are still in good working condition. Different railroad pocket watches available from ebay here right now. Here are a few old advertisements about ball pocket watches. Ball watch repair watch repairs usa is the fastest, easiest and most convenient way to repair your ball watch.
Ball watch co railroad pocket watch model 999 jul 30, 2011. This case serial number is 7,826,682 and as the scan shows you it is signed ball model. When you pull this out of your pocket, therell be no mistaking what it is. Vintage ball comapny 17j montgomery dial ball commercial. Antique ball commercial 17 jewel railroad pocket watch very nice condition. Ball hamilton railroad pocket watch grade 999b circa 1930s. Ball announced a commemorative 999 highgrade pocketwatch in 1895 that remains among the finest examples of the railroad watch. With very nice condition double sunk white enamel dial with blued steel spade hands. Watches by hourminsec products pocket watches ball. About twelve years ago, i decided to open an online store and to maintain a more permanent inventory to better serve collectors looking for hardtofind parts and tools. Hamilton 992b railroad pocket watch, hamilton railway special. My best so far is a ball hamilton 999 and i feel its better than my others.
Ball was a major contributor in the formation of the horological institute of america. In my opinion, the quality of these old tools matches the. Unfollow hamilton railroad pocket watch to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Ball watches are today some of the most collectible of the american railroad pocket watches. New listing antique hamilton 992 21j 10k gold filled open face 16s railroad pocket watch. The item hamilton railroad pocket watch 16 size boc salesman display case is in sale since sunday, february 23, 2020. Pocket watch identification and value guide the spruce crafts. The hamilton 992b railroad pocket watch, hamilton railway special the hamilton grade 992b is a high quality antique mechanical pocket watch. Antique ball gold fill pocket watch 19 jewels 12 size sn.
Watches by hourminsec products pocket watches illinois. Waltham ball official rr standard sn b 263497 in its stirrup bow case is also highly recognizable as a railroad watch. Raymond sn k 696370 is in a classic teardrop model 3055 case. Built by the best companies to webb balls exacting specifications. From the creators of pocket planes comes pocket trains. Due to this incident a rule was made that railroad workers must have pocket watches that have standard time in all railroad tracks. Ball watch company known for their official railroad standard pocket watches, the ball watch company of cleveland, ohio helped formulate the specifications of watches used for railroad service. Railway pocket watch for sale in uk view 25 bargains. The pocket watches listed below are available right now so if you see a railroad pocket watch you like, hurry and place your bid.
We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. The american railroad pocket watch expert repair for. As you will see, most of my tools are antique or at least vintage but all are still in. Walthamball official rr standard sn b 263497 in its stirrup bow case is also highly recognizable as a railroad watch. The specific definition of railroad grade evolved quite a bit over the years. Thus the birth of railroad pocket watch, also known as standard pocket watch.
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