American pocket watches are living history.Those of us who buy, service, sell and collect them are captivated by their unique combination of practicality and horologic significance.This week I bring your attention to a pocket watch marking a crucial transition in the Illinois Watch Company’s history: a 1929 Type III 60-hour Bunn Special.  In 1928,just before The Great Depression, the Hamilton Watch Company purchased the Illinois Watch Company for $5m($75m in today’s money). Hamilton continued to operate the factory under the Illinois name as they gradually shifted the emphasis from pocket to wrist watches.  This Illinois Bunn Special was hardly “left behind.” It represents the peak of Illinois’ pocket watch production prowess, after 59 years as an independent watchmaker. For one…

The Pocket Watch Guy is dedicated to providing the best possible customer service. We’re available by email, phone or Instagram DM to answer any and all questions about pocket watch purchases, care, repair or sales. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for advice or guidance for all things pocket watch.   Meanwhile, here’s one of our best-of-the-best American pocket watches, selected from our carefully curated collection for your careful consideration: a first year production run Hamilton 946 open-faced railroad pocket watch. Savvy collectors will immediately notice the words “Hamilton Watch Company” scrolling across the beautiful double sunk dial. The elegant script was too long for any but a size 18 pocket watch, and even then very few Hamiltons were so…

Little known fact: the Ball Watch Company didn’t make pocket watches. They rebranded other watchmakers’ timepieces. There’s a significant upside: Webb C. Ball exerted stringent quality control over the style, accuracy and durability of the finished product, resulting in some of America’s finest railroad pocket watches.  I bring your attention to this wonderful example: a pristine Ball 999 pocket watch available for sale at The Pocket Watch Guy. A little history. . . On May 10, 1893, just west of Batavia, New York, Empire State Express Locomotive No. 999 set a world speed record of 112.5 miles per hour. Although there’s doubt that the train exceeded 81 miles per hour, the “fast train” service between New York to the World’s…

It’s that time again: time to single out a special pocket watch for your consideration. This week I’d like to bring your attention to a perfectly preserved Hamilton Railroad Grade 992. Housed in this exquisite Model 2 white gold-filled case, complete with its original packaging. This Hamilton Grade 992 is a classic timepiece: a lever-set, open-faced railroad pocket watch. It left Lancaster in 1927, during the Hamilton Watch Company’s heyday, when the watchmaker set the standard for horological accuracy, legibility, affordability, durability and serviceability.  This 992 is a special example. Its immaculate double-sunk dial features Arabic numerals in the Old English or “Blind Man’s” font, printed on a 60-minute “Montgomery Safety Dial". Check out this fine Hamilton at www.thepocketwatchguy.com. The dial’s named after…

It’s been a busy week here at The Pocket Watch Guy; buying, inspecting, cleaning, oiling and accurizing an influx of new-to-us pocket watches. Once again, I’m writing to highlight a special timepiece worthy of our best customer’s attention.  Like all Hamilton pocket watches, this Model 23 embodies the minimalist beauty and astounding accuracy that made the watchmaker world famous. It differs from “normal” Hamiltons in one important way.  Hamilton designed and built the Model 23 Military Chronograph - also called a Master Navigation Watch - in the run-up to World War II. Although the government issued Model 23’s to all branches of the armed forces, it found special favor with the United States Air Force. Check out this fine…

I’m writing to offer you the first view of a very special Illinois pocket watch I just posted for sale at www.thepocketwatchguy.com.  In the weeks ahead,I’ll be sending updates like this to my most valued customers, so you’re the first to know about pocket watches that stand out from the rest. Don’t get me wrong: all of The Pocket Watch Guy’s pocket watches feature wonderfully preserved dials, accurate movements and robust cases. The best of the best. Serviced, oiled with synthetics and adjusted for accuracy, guaranteed for one year from the date of purchase.  Most of the Model 163 Type 1 Bunn Special Illinois railroad watches that survive to the present day are heavily worn or damaged. Many were lost…