Description

Folks we have a wonderful offering for your consideration in this antique Hamilton Railroad Grade 940 Pocket Watch circa 1903. The Hamilton Watch Company specialized in high grade service pocket watches. The U.S. Department of the Interior implemented a “railroad standard” for timekeeping and pocket watches in 1983 and this began to be implemented by the watch companies over the following years. With over 500 independent railroads operating with as little as 80 miles of track this was a slow process. The Hamilton Watch Co. first started producing pocket watches in 1894 and catered to this emerging industry. Hamilton earned the reputation on “Americas Railroad Timekeeper” by manufacturing the finest in pocket watches. This Hamilton Grade 940 is the first in the lineage of the finest of 21 Jewel Railroad Grade Pocket Watches. The Grade 940 has beautiful ornate antique damasking on the nickel silver plates and is highlighted with gold lettering. The Hamilton Model 940 is a size 18 and measures 2 1/4 inches in diameter. This early Hamilton was produced before they implemented engraving the additional information on the movement such as the grade and other details to conform to “railroad standards”. A total of only 210,596 were produced from 1898 through 1924 and this is an early and highly desired low 6-figure serial number on this 940. The “railroad standard” pocket watch was to have the grade and jewel count engraved on the movement for identification as a listed “railroad grade approved” pocket watch. This was truly the scientific instrument of the day in 1903 and allowed the country to develop at a very rapid rate. The pocket watch of the day was similar to the smart phone of today in impact. I so hope the pictures and extreme magnification helps in the description of this truly fine Hamilton Railroad Pocket Watch.

This Hamilton 940 is faced with this pristine Hamilton Double Sunk Railroad Dial. This dial has the desired antique font and the Hamilton Watch Co. in Script Font later shortened to just “Hamilton” and a block font. This dial was the top of the line and for .50 cents you could upgrade from the Single Sunk Dial to this Double Sunk Dial. We have the raised outer circumference with the bold Hamilton Arabic numerals and every 5-minute marker highlighted in red. Then we have the recessed center chapter for the Hamilton Logo in the desired antique signed script, with a recessed sub chapter for the second hand. These ornate dials were made using 3 Copper Plates soldered together and then baked with many layers of Silica giving the dial the deep rich porcelain finish. This dial is in excellent condition bright white and showing beautifully just gorgeous! This beautiful dial is highlighted with the original blued Steel Railroad Spade/Spade Hands in excellent condition. This timepiece shows beautifully and is sure to be appreciated for generations to come.

The pristine Hamilton Grade 940 is a size 18 measuring 2 ¼ inches in diameter and is Stem Wound and Lever Set. This pristine movement has the ornate antique damasking highlighted with ornate gold lettering. The Hamilton Watch Company set a new standard with this ornate damasking and gold lettering. The Grade 940 has 21 Ruby Jewels, Brequet Hairspring, Goldthwait Micrometer Regulator, and Gold Balance Weights, Safety Pinion, raised Gold Jewel Cup Settings with a Gold Center Wheel and Train. This finest of Railroad Pocket Watches is designed and manufactured to the highest and standards. This fine Hamilton is housed in this stunning Illinois Watch Case Company Nickel Silver Case. This case has the original thick beveled crystal still installed and in excellent condition. Hamilton did not manufacture pocket watch cases. Rather the jeweler or jobber of the day (as they were referred) would match the movement to the case to meet the customer’s budget and needs. This case is in excellent condition without personal monograms and only minor wear to the case back. This Hamilton Grade 940 has just been serviced and is an excellent timekeeper as designed.

This is an excellent example of the ingenuity that made the late 19th early 20th Century American Pocket Watch a worldwide standard for accuracy and beauty in timekeeping. This Antique Pocket Watch has been Cleaned, Oiled and Adjusted for accuracy. This entails a complete disassembly and all parts cleaned and reassembled using the finest watch oil and gear grease.

This Hamilton Pocket Watch is warrantied for one full year from date of purchase.